Chapter 8 – The Document Tyler Refused to Sign
Armitage Private Bank looked more like a museum than a financial institution.
There were no public counters. No lines. No visible security guards.
Harrison and Tyler were escorted into a private room overlooking Lake Zurich.
Victor had arrived before them.
Tyler hid his surprise.
His father had told him Victor was still in Washington.
A silver-haired banker placed a stack of documents on the table.
“Once the beneficiary signs, the custodial structure will be converted into an independent family holding vehicle.”
Tyler looked at the papers.
“What does that mean?”
“It means the assets will belong to you,” Harrison said.
“Do I control them?”
“When you are old enough.”
The banker avoided Tyler’s eyes.
Tyler picked up the pen.
He knew he needed time.
“My hand hurts.”
Harrison stared at him.
“What?”
“I fell during basketball practice.”
“You didn’t mention that.”
“I forgot.”
Victor leaned back in his chair.
“He’s stalling.”
Tyler looked at him.
“Why would I stall?”
Victor’s eyes narrowed.
Harrison placed one hand on Tyler’s shoulder.
“Sign.”
Tyler wrote the first letter of his name, then stopped.
“I need the bathroom.”
“You can go afterward.”
“I’m going to throw up.”
Harrison’s fingers tightened.
The banker shifted uncomfortably.
“Mr. Vale, perhaps the boy should—”
“He’s fine.”
Tyler suddenly pushed back from the table and vomited onto the marble floor.
It was not an act.
Fear had twisted his stomach since the plane landed.
The banker called for assistance.
In the confusion, Tyler slipped Harrison’s phone from the edge of the table and carried it into the restroom.
He locked the door.
The phone required facial recognition.
Tyler had watched Harrison unlock it dozens of times while wearing sunglasses. He held the screen near the gap beneath the door.
“Dad?”
Harrison turned instinctively.
The phone unlocked.
Tyler opened the emergency message application Reed had instructed him to memorize.
He typed quickly.
ARMITAGE BANK. LEVEL 6. SIGNING NOW. VICTOR HERE.
Before he could send it, someone struck the door.
“Tyler,” Harrison said. “Open the door.”
Tyler pressed send.
The message disappeared.
He dropped the phone into the sink and flushed the toilet.
When he opened the door, Harrison stood waiting.
For the first time, the mask had fallen from his face.
He seized Tyler’s arm and pulled him close.
“You think I don’t know what you’re doing?”
Tyler’s heart slammed against his ribs.
“I was sick.”
Harrison searched his pockets.
Then he noticed the phone in the sink.
Victor stepped into the hallway.
“We need to move.”
“The documents aren’t signed,” Harrison said.
“The bank received an inquiry from federal authorities.”
Harrison looked at Tyler.
“How did you contact them?”
Tyler said nothing.
Harrison struck him across the face.
The sound echoed through the corridor.
Tyler stumbled against the wall.
Victor glanced toward the security camera.
“Harrison.”
But Harrison was no longer pretending.
He grabbed Tyler by the collar.
“Your mother made you weak.”
Tyler tasted blood.
“No,” he whispered. “She taught me not to become you.”
Harrison raised his hand again.
A voice came from the end of the hallway.
“Take your hands off that boy.”
The silver-haired banker stood beside three armed security officers.
Harrison slowly released Tyler.
For one hopeful second, Tyler believed help had arrived.
Then the banker turned to the guards.
“Escort Mr. Vale and his son to the underground exit.”
Tyler’s hope vanished.
May you like
The banker was not protecting him.
He was helping Harrison escape.
