Chapter 11 - THE SIEGE AT THE LAKE
Daniel moved first.
“Back exit.”
Samuel grabbed the document boxes.
Ethan ran upstairs for Sophie.
She was already waiting near the hallway with Daniel’s assistant.
“Daddy?”
“We’re leaving.”
Outside, engines surrounded the house.
Richard’s voice came through a loudspeaker.
“Ethan.”
“You’re making this harder than it needs to be.”
Ethan stopped.
Richard continued.
“Bring Sophie outside.”
“We talk.”
“No police.”
“No lawyers.”
Ethan looked through a narrow window.
Six men stood near the vehicles.
Richard was between them.
He no longer looked like the man who had attended Sophie’s birthday parties.
He looked like what Claire had seen years ago.
A man who believed everything could be bought.
Ethan led the group toward the rear.
But Celeste did not follow.
“Where are you going?”
She looked toward the front door.
“To give you time.”
Ethan stared at her.
“I helped him get this far.”
“I can stop him for thirty seconds.”
“You don’t owe me a dramatic sacrifice.”
“This isn’t for you.”
Celeste looked at Sophie.
“It’s for her.”
Sophie said nothing.
Celeste knelt several feet away.
She did not touch her.
“I am sorry, Sophie.”
“I scared you.”
“I can never undo that.”
“But I’m going to make sure nobody takes you anywhere tonight.”
Sophie watched her.
Then quietly said, “Okay.”
It was not forgiveness.
But it was enough to make Celeste’s face break.
She walked toward the front of the house.
Ethan led Sophie through the rear service door.
Daniel had found an old trail leading down toward the lake.
They moved through the trees.
Behind them, the front door opened.
Celeste called out.
“Richard!”
His voice carried.
“Where are they?”
“You want the trust?”
“I have the access code.”
Silence.
Then Richard said, “You’re lying.”
Celeste answered.
“Claire gave it to me.”
Ethan knew she was bluffing.
Richard knew she might not be.
That uncertainty bought them time.
They reached the boathouse.
An old motorboat remained beneath a canvas cover.
Daniel checked the fuel.
“Enough to cross.”
Ethan lifted Sophie inside.
Then a gunshot echoed from the house.
Sophie flinched.
Ethan looked back.
Another shot did not follow.
Daniel started the engine.
As they pulled away from shore, Ethan saw someone running down the hill toward them.
Celeste.
May you like
She was alive.
But Richard was only seconds behind her.
