Chapter 17 - The River Terminal
Grant Mercer supplied thirty men.
Adrian refused them.
“I need witnesses, not a war.”
Grant almost smiled.
“You really have changed.”
“No.”
Adrian checked his weapon.
“I finally know what matters.”
Federal investigators received anonymous copies of Evelyn’s files.
So did two journalists.
So did three independent attorneys.
Marcus could no longer erase the evidence by killing one man.
At 11:40 p.m., Adrian entered the abandoned terminal alone.
Thomas watched from the river.
Grant’s men blocked the surrounding roads but remained hidden.
Grace sat inside an office overlooking the warehouse floor.
Emma was beside her.
Neither appeared injured.
Marcus stood between them and Adrian.
Owen Pike waited nearby.
Marcus smiled.
“You came alone.”
“So did you.”
Marcus looked at Pike.
“Almost.”
Adrian held up a flash drive.
“Everything Evelyn had.”
Marcus’s eyes followed it.
“And the trust amendment?”
Adrian produced a folder.
“Signed withdrawal.”
Marcus relaxed.
“Where is Lily?”
“Safe.”
Marcus’s face hardened.
“That wasn’t the agreement.”
“There was never an agreement.”
Pike moved toward Grace.
Adrian’s voice stopped him.
“Owen.”
Pike looked over.
“Three million dollars.”
Pike froze.
Adrian continued.
“That’s what Marcus paid you.”
“You think he’ll let you live after tonight?”
Marcus turned toward him.
“Don’t listen.”
Adrian smiled faintly.
“He already prepared records blaming the entire attack on you.”
Pike looked at Marcus.
Marcus said nothing.
That silence was enough.
Pike stepped away from Grace.
Marcus pulled a weapon.
Thomas’s voice came through the terminal speakers.
“Bad choice.”
Marcus looked upward.
Police lights appeared through broken windows.
Then federal vehicles entered the property.
Marcus stared at Adrian.
“You brought law enforcement into our world?”
Adrian shook his head.
“You brought them.”
“I just gave them the map.”
Marcus grabbed Grace.
He held the weapon near her shoulder.
Emma began crying.
Adrian did not move.
Marcus backed toward a side exit.
“You still think you won?”
He smiled.
“You don’t even know where your daughter is.”
Adrian’s face changed.
Marcus saw it.
May you like
And smiled wider.
“I found the convent.”
