Chapter 14 - THE DECOY
The plan depended on Malcolm believing Bella was inside Arthur’s armored vehicle.
Andrew agreed to drive.
A child-sized figure sat beneath a blanket in the rear seat.
Federal agents positioned themselves around Plant Four.
Sarah remained with Bella at a secure command center several miles away.
Arthur wore a hidden microphone.
Marcus and Reyes entered the plant through an underground maintenance tunnel.
At eleven fifty-eight, Arthur’s vehicle stopped inside the abandoned loading yard.
The plant rose above him like a dead city.
Broken windows reflected the moon.
Rust covered the steel walls.
Thomas Wren appeared on an overhead walkway.
He held Vanessa by the arm.
Her hands were tied.
Her face was bruised, but she remained standing.
Malcolm stepped from the shadows.
He wore a dark coat.
The black stone ring gleamed on his hand.
“You always were predictable, little brother.”
Arthur opened the rear door.
“Release Vanessa first.”
Malcolm laughed.
“You became engaged to her to expose me.”
“Now you want to save her?”
“I want her alive long enough to testify.”
Vanessa looked toward Arthur.
“Do not give him Bella.”
Malcolm struck the railing beside her with his cane.
“Silence.”
Arthur’s hands curled.
“Claire trusted you.”
Malcolm’s expression changed.
“Claire judged me.”
“She wanted to destroy everything our father built because of a few unfortunate accidents.”
“Seventeen people died.”
“Thousands kept their jobs.”
Malcolm spoke as if explaining simple mathematics.
“Leadership requires sacrifice.”
Arthur moved closer.
“You sabotaged her car.”
Thomas emerged from behind the furnace controls.
“Malcolm did not touch the brakes.”
Arthur looked at him.
Thomas smiled weakly.
“I did.”
At the command center, Sarah heard every word through the live audio.
Bella sat beside her.
The child’s face became rigid.
Thomas continued.
“Vanessa gave me Claire’s schedule.”
“Marcus removed the computer.”
“We all served a purpose.”
Malcolm raised his hand.
“And tonight, the final witness disappears.”
He ordered Arthur to bring Bella forward.
Arthur pulled back the blanket.
The seat was empty.
Malcolm’s calm expression shattered.
“You brought agents.”
Arthur looked toward the hidden microphone.
“I brought the truth.”
Sirens erupted outside.
Federal teams entered the plant.
But Malcolm smiled.
Then he pressed a remote control.
May you like
The doors locked.
Explosives began counting down beneath the old furnace.
