Chapter 10 - THE EXCHANGE
The kidnappers chose an unfinished Whitmore tower downtown.
Forty floors of exposed concrete rose above the city, dark against the evening sky.
Arthur received instructions through a disposable phone.
“Bring the payment key to the roof,” a distorted voice said. “No agents.”
Mara listened beside him. “They’ll kill both of you.”
“They’ll try.”
Arthur entered through the construction level wearing a hidden transmitter. Mara’s team spread through neighboring buildings.
On the roof, Lily stood near the edge with her hands tied. Senator Vale’s former security chief, Grant Heller, held a gun against her back.
Richard knelt nearby, bleeding from the shoulder.
“He tried to protect me,” Lily said.
Richard looked down. “Don’t make more of it than it was.”
Heller held out his hand. “The key.”
Arthur showed him the pocket watch.
“You get this when they walk away.”
Heller laughed. “Still negotiating.”
A helicopter rose from behind the building. Its searchlight blinded Arthur.
Margaret Whitmore sat inside.
She had escaped federal custody during the mansion fire.
“Mother?” Richard shouted.
Margaret spoke through the helicopter’s loudspeaker. “Give Heller the key.”
“You had me beaten, rescued, and kidnapped in one afternoon.”
“I gave you every advantage,” she answered. “You wasted them on weakness.”
Richard stood despite the blood on his shirt. “Lily wasn’t weak.”
Margaret’s face hardened. “Then prove you aren’t either. Push her.”
Lily went still.
Arthur saw Richard’s hands curl into fists.
For years, he had chosen power over decency. Now the choice stood in front of him with no room for excuses.
Richard turned toward Lily.
Then he charged Heller.
The gun fired.
Richard fell.
Arthur threw the watch beneath the helicopter’s landing skid. Heller dove for it. Lily dropped to the roof as Arthur tackled him.
Mara’s team opened fire on the helicopter’s engine housing. Smoke burst from the side. The pilot pulled away.
Heller reached the watch first.
He smiled and opened it.
The key was gone.
Arthur held it between two fingers.
Heller raised his gun.
Then Richard, bleeding on the concrete, grabbed Heller’s ankle and dragged him off balance.
May you like
Heller slid toward the roof edge.
And caught Lily’s wrist on the way down.
