Chapter 7 - THE UNCLE
Richard didn't shoot.
That was worse.
He wanted us afraid.
He lowered the weapon.
“You've caused me considerable inconvenience.”
I stepped in front of Elise and Perrin.
“You destroyed my family.”
“No.”
He smiled.
“Your family destroyed itself.”
He told us my father had been planning to expose the conspiracy.
Elise had found the documents.
Richard had ordered her disappearance.
Rhea had been recruited later.
“She was supposed to marry you,” Richard said.
“She was supposed to steal control of the company.”
I looked at Elise.
“She knew?”
“She knew enough.”
I felt sick.
Richard continued.
“But your father complicated things.”
“What did you do to him?”
“I gave him a choice.”
“What choice?”
“Protect you or protect the company.”
My fists tightened.
“And?”
“He chose you.”
Silence.
Richard looked at Perrin.
“Your son was never supposed to be harmed.”
I stepped forward.
“Don't look at him.”
Richard smiled.
“That's where you're wrong.”
He suddenly pointed toward Elise.
“She was the problem.”
A gunshot cracked.
I tackled Richard.
The weapon slid across the floor.
Elise grabbed Perrin.
We ran.
Police sirens sounded outside.
The detective had followed us.
Richard was arrested.
For the first time, I thought it was over.
Then the detective opened Richard's briefcase.
Inside were passports.
Bank records.
Photographs.
And one photograph of Perrin.
Taken that morning.
On the back was written:
HE IS NOT EVAN'S SON.
I looked at Elise.
She turned pale.
Perrin heard us.
“Dad?”
I didn't answer.
May you like
Because suddenly, six years of memories were breaking apart again.
---
