Chapter 10 - THE ACCUSATION

Kiora stepped away from Elias.

He saw it.

The fear in her eyes hurt more than Marcus's accusation.

"Kiora."

"Don't."

Marcus kept his weapon raised.

"Elias knew about Lake Mercer."

Elias stared at him.

"So did you."

"Arthur told you everything."

"Not everything."

Marcus laughed bitterly.

"You expect her to believe that?"

Kiora looked between them.

"Someone tell me the truth."

Elias answered first.

"I knew Daniel was there that night."

Her expression shattered.

"You knew?"

"I didn't know someone died."

"When did you learn?"

"After Arthur's death."

"And you didn't tell me."

"I was trying to protect you."

Kiora shook her head.

"Everyone keeps saying that."

Marcus lowered his weapon slightly.

"Arthur discovered Elias had been moving money."

Elias turned.

"Careful."

"Why?"

Marcus smiled.

"Afraid she'll find out?"

Kiora looked at Elias.

"What money?"

"Your father's emergency funds."

"How much?"

"Thirty million."

Her eyes widened.

"Where?"

"Protected accounts."

"Under whose name?"

Elias hesitated.

That hesitation was devastating.

"Yours?"

"Yes."

Kiora stepped backward.

Marcus nodded.

"There it is."

Elias remained calm.

"Arthur ordered me to move it."

"Can you prove that?"

"No."

Marcus smiled.

"Convenient."

Footsteps came closer.

Then Agent Morris appeared.

Her weapon was raised.

"Federal agent."

Marcus spun around.

"Drop it."

He didn't.

"Marcus."

Morris aimed directly at him.

"Don't make this worse."

Marcus slowly lowered his gun.

Then headlights flashed through the shelter entrance.

Several vehicles.

Too many.

Elias looked toward the stairs.

"Those aren't federal."

Marcus's face changed.

"They found us."

"Who?"

Before he answered, something struck the metal door above.

Once.

Twice.

Someone was trying to force it open.

Morris grabbed Marcus.

"Another exit?"

He nodded.

"Tunnel."

They moved.

Kiora struggled to keep pace.

Elias stayed beside her.

The tunnel emerged behind the old property.

They reached the tree line just as men entered the shelter.

Kiora heard shouting.

Then they were running.

For the first time, Elias abandoned his calm.

"Move."

They reached Morris's SUV.

Everyone climbed inside.

She drove.

Two vehicles followed.

Marcus looked backward.

"They won't stop."

"Who are they?"

Kiora demanded.

Marcus finally answered.

"Harrow security."

Elias looked at him.

"Private contractors?"

"Some."

"What are the others?"

Marcus hesitated.

"People Richard doesn't officially employ."

Morris accelerated.

The SUV behind them closed the distance.

Kiora held her stomach.

Then her phone vibrated.

Unknown number.

A photograph appeared.

Mia.

Standing beside Grace's house.

Taken minutes earlier.

Underneath were five words.

GIVE US THE MEMORY CARD.

Kiora's blood turned cold.

They weren't threatening her anymore.

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