Chapter 7 - THE GREENHOUSE
Richard stopped in the doorway.
“Senator Vale?” he said. “What are you doing here?”
Vale glanced at him with disgust. “Cleaning up your mistakes.”
Margaret pressed the blade closer to Lily’s neck. “Give us the tablet.”
Arthur lifted his empty hands. “Let her go first.”
“You don’t negotiate anymore,” Vale said. “You retired.”
“No. I disappeared.”
Vale’s smile tightened. “Same thing.”
Arthur studied the room. One exit behind him. Broken glass beneath the benches. Water pipe along the wall. Margaret’s right hand trembled. Lily’s chair was metal, but one leg rested unevenly on the stone floor.
Richard stepped forward. “Mother, put the knife down.”
“Be quiet,” Margaret snapped.
“You told me we were protecting the company.”
“We were protecting the family.”
“You used me.”
Margaret laughed. “You enjoyed every part of it.”
Lily closed her eyes.
Richard looked at the bruises on her face as though seeing them for the first time. Shame flickered across his expression, but Arthur felt no sympathy. Regret did not erase cruelty.
Vale extended his hand. “The Elena file.”
Arthur reached inside his jacket and removed a small drive.
Margaret’s eyes followed it.
That was what Arthur needed.
He threw the drive toward the far window.
Margaret turned.
Lily kicked the uneven chair leg, tipping herself sideways.
Arthur lunged.
The knife missed Lily’s throat by inches. Richard grabbed his mother’s wrist. Vale drew a pistol, but Arthur slammed a steel watering wand into his forearm. The gun skidded beneath a bench.
Mara and agents crashed through the rear door.
“Federal agents! Down!”
Margaret screamed, “He killed Elena! Vale ordered it!”
Vale stared at her. “You stupid woman.”
Richard released his mother and backed away.
Mara cuffed Vale while Arthur cut Lily free.
Lily collapsed against him.
“It’s over,” he whispered.
“No,” Vale said from the floor. “It’s just public now.”
Arthur looked at him.
Vale smiled again.
“The Whitmores are one family. There are twelve more. Judges, hospitals, banks, guardianship firms. Elena found the list.”
“Where is it?”
Vale’s smile widened.
“She hid it in the one place you never looked.”
May you like
Arthur’s phone rang.
The caller ID showed his own home number.
