Chapter 12 - NEW YORK
The meeting took place beneath an abandoned theater.
I entered alone.
At least, Victor believed I was alone.
My father's people watched from three blocks away.
The theater smelled of dust and rain.
Then I heard footsteps.
A woman appeared from the darkness.
She looked older than the photograph.
But her eyes were the same.
My eyes.
She stopped.
Neither of us moved.
Then she whispered my name.
I couldn't breathe.
"Mom?"
She covered her mouth.
Tears filled her eyes.
I ran to her.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then she held me like I was still a child.
"I'm sorry."
I cried against her shoulder.
"Why did you leave?"
"I didn't."
She pulled away.
"I was taken."
"By Victor?"
She nodded.
"He wanted the network."
"And Dad?"
"He believed I was dead."
I wiped my face.
"Victor is coming."
"I know."
She looked toward the entrance.
"That's why I called you."
"What do you mean?"
She handed me a small metal key.
"This opens the original Vale archive."
"What is inside?"
"Everything."
She looked terrified.
"Names."
"Accounts."
"Governments."
"Companies."
"And Victor."
A sound echoed above us.
Footsteps.
My mother grabbed my hand.
"We have to go."
Then the theater lights turned on.
Victor Hale stood at the top of the stairs.
Clapping slowly.
May you like
"Family reunions are beautiful."
---
