Chapter 11 - Daniel Bennett
Federal bomb specialists examined the device remotely.
The trigger responded to Daniel’s heartbeat.
Cutting the wrong wire would detonate it.
Removing the vest would do the same.
A six-hour countdown glowed on the control panel.
Evelyn wanted the mineral deed delivered before time expired.
Lucy sat several feet from Daniel.
She told him about Tommy.
She told him Mara had found Harrison.
She told him she had asked a stranger for leftovers and accidentally found her grandfather.
Daniel laughed weakly.
“That sounds like your mother.”
Harrison knelt beside him.
“I owe you an apology.”
“For believing I stole from you?”
“For everything.”
Daniel looked at him.
“Mara never stopped believing you would come.”
“She was wrong for a long time.”
“No.”
“She understood you would need the truth placed directly in your hands.”
Harrison showed him Walter’s cylinder.
Daniel’s expression changed.
“The deed is not enough.”
“What else do we need?”
“The original Silver Crown ledger.”
“It proves every payment, land theft, and death.”
“Where is it?”
“Evelyn keeps it with her.”
“She planned to burn it after the signing.”
Daniel had seen Mara only twice in eight years.
Evelyn separated them to prevent escape plans.
The recent recording at the tower was made during a transfer.
Daniel slipped away for twenty minutes and reached the hidden compartment.
“Where would Evelyn hold the meeting?” Harrison asked.
“The old cattle auction house.”
“Silas lied about the location.”
“No.”
“He told you the truth because Evelyn wanted you there.”
The auction house sat above abandoned mining tunnels.
Silver Crown could bring the valley families underground and force signatures without witnesses.
Harrison contacted every surviving family named in Walter’s deed.
Most had already received threats.
Two were missing.
The agents prepared a rescue operation.
Lucy refused to leave Daniel.
Harrison placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Your brother needs you.”
“My dad needs me.”
Daniel spoke gently.
“I need you to keep Tommy safe.”
Lucy began crying.
For the first time since Harrison met her, she allowed herself to look like a child.
Naomi carried her upstairs.
Daniel watched her go.
Then he looked at Harrison.
“If the specialists cannot stop the device, you leave me.”
“No.”
“You do not trade Mara and the children for one man.”
“You are their father.”
“And you are hers.”
The timer suddenly changed.
Six hours became ninety minutes.
Evelyn’s voice came through the device.
May you like
“Bring the deed now.”
“Or Daniel dies before sunset.”
