Chapter 10 - THE ROAD WHERE CLAIRE DIED
Owen forced Lily into the back seat of a red SUV.
The vehicle matched Claire’s old car almost exactly.
He had chosen it deliberately.
Grant reached the driveway as Owen started the engine.
Emma pulled open the rear door before it locked.
Owen accelerated.
Emma fell inside beside Lily.
The door remained half open as the SUV moved down the icy road.
Grant climbed into Victor’s abandoned truck.
Federal agents emerged from the trees.
Victor was arrested near the lodge.
Owen drove toward the overlook.
“Give me the girl,” Emma shouted.
“She is the only reason Grant will follow.”
“You already killed her mother.”
Owen looked at her through the mirror.
“Renata cut the line.”
“Victor covered it.”
“I only approved the solution.”
“You were all responsible.”
Lily worked at the scarf around her other wrist.
Emma shielded the movement with her body.
Owen reached the overlook.
The broken section of guardrail had been replaced years earlier.
He stopped beside it.
Snow covered the memorial flowers Grant left every anniversary.
Owen pulled Lily from the vehicle.
Emma followed.
Grant’s truck appeared around the bend.
Owen held a gun against Lily’s head.
“Stop.”
Grant left the engine running and raised his hands.
“Let her go.”
“Transfer your shares.”
“Withdraw the audit.”
“Tell the police Emma kidnapped Lily and attacked Victor.”
Emma looked at Lily.
Her eyes were fixed on the gun.
Grant spoke carefully.
“You killed Claire because she discovered the theft.”
Owen smiled.
“Claire believed facts made her untouchable.”
“She forgot facts still need people brave enough to release them.”
“You were afraid of her.”
“I was tired of her looking at me like I was smaller than you.”
Lily suddenly looked at Owen.
Her voice came out rough.
“You are.”
Everyone froze.
Owen stared at her.
Lily had spoken clearly for the first time since the accident.
“You are smaller.”
Owen’s grip loosened in shock.
Emma pulled Lily downward.
Grant rushed forward.
The gun fired.
The bullet passed above them.
Owen slipped on the ice.
He struck the guardrail and fell over the edge.
One hand caught the metal support.
Grant reached him first.
Owen hung above the ravine.
“Help me.”
Grant looked at the brother who helped murder Claire.
Then at Lily shaking in Emma’s arms.
He lowered himself and grabbed Owen’s wrist.
“You should let me fall,” Owen gasped.
“No.”
Grant held tighter.
“You will answer where Lily can see you answered.”
Federal agents secured a rope.
They pulled Owen onto the road.
He was arrested beside Claire’s memorial.
Lily pressed her face against Emma’s chest.
Then she looked at her father.
May you like
“Daddy.”
Grant broke down in the snow.
