Chapter 12 - MIDNIGHT AT THE MILL
They did not follow the instructions.
Elena went to the mill.
She simply didn’t go alone.
Julian drove an unmarked SUV.
Richard stayed behind with investigators, partly because his attorneys insisted and partly because Julian refused to risk both of them.
Two federal vehicles followed at a distance.
Elena carried the second key.
A copy remained with Richard.
The abandoned textile mill stood beside a river.
Broken windows stared down from five dark floors.
At 11:57 p.m., Elena entered.
Julian remained twenty feet behind her despite her protests.
“Victoria?”
Her voice echoed.
A light switched on.
Victoria sat in a chair at the center of the factory floor.
Her hands were tied.
Her face was bruised.
Elena ran toward her.
“Stop.”
A man stepped from behind a steel column.
He was in his late sixties.
Silver hair.
Expensive coat.
A familiar smile.
Richard’s family photographs had shown that smile decades earlier.
Thomas Harrington.
Julian stopped beside Elena.
“Uncle Thomas.”
Thomas smiled.
“You grew up well.”
Julian’s expression hardened.
“You’re supposed to be dead.”
“So are many useful people.”
Marcus Vale emerged from the shadows.
Elena looked at Victoria.
Victoria shook her head desperately.
Thomas extended his hand.
“The key.”
Elena didn’t move.
“What does it open?”
“You came here asking questions.”
“I’m answering one.”
“What does it open?”
Thomas’s smile disappeared.
“A box your grandfather stole from me.”
Elena almost laughed.
“My grandfather stole from you?”
“He took records that belonged to my business.”
“Records proving you stole thirty-eight million dollars?”
Thomas shrugged.
“That was the beginning.”
Julian stared at him.
“How much?”
Victoria answered quietly.
“Two hundred and twelve million.”
Elena turned toward her.
Victoria’s eyes filled with shame.
Thomas looked amused.
“Yes.”
“Victoria always was good with numbers.”
Julian looked at his mother.
“You helped him?”
Victoria closed her eyes.
“At first.”
“How long?”
“Years.”
“You framed me for it.”
Victoria looked at her son.
“I was trying to protect you.”
Julian laughed bitterly.
“By putting stolen money in my name?”
“I never expected anyone to find it.”
Thomas stepped closer.
“But Samuel did.”
Elena tightened her grip on the key.
“So you killed him.”
Thomas smiled.
“I ordered Vale to scare him.”
Vale looked uncomfortable.
Thomas continued.
“Samuel chose to drive too fast afterward.”
Elena lunged.
Julian caught her.
Thomas laughed.
“There she is.”
“Isabel had the same fire.”
Elena froze.
“You knew my mother?”
Thomas looked toward Victoria.
Then back at Elena.
“Better than Richard ever did.”
Victoria began struggling against the ropes.
“Don’t.”
Thomas ignored her.
Elena felt dread rising.
“What are you saying?”
Thomas walked close enough that Elena could see his eyes.
“Richard Harrington was never your father.”
“I know.”
Thomas smiled.
“But your mother lied about who was.”
Victoria screamed through the cloth covering her mouth.
Thomas reached into his coat.
He removed an old photograph.
Isabel stood beside him.
His arm was around her waist.
She was pregnant.
Elena stared at it.
May you like
Thomas smiled.
“Welcome to the family, daughter.”
