Chapter 19 - The Mill
Gerald had installed motion sensors around the warehouse.
He knew exactly how many officers were outside.
Ruiz ordered everyone to hold position.
Inside, Daniel remained beside the metal case.
Mrs. Howard’s face was pale.
Gerald stood ten feet away.
“Move the case toward me.”
Daniel obeyed.
Gerald opened it.
He removed one cassette.
Then another.
His eyes narrowed.
“These aren’t the originals.”
Daniel said nothing.
Gerald smiled.
“Your brother kept them.”
“No.”
“Elena?”
Daniel remained silent.
Gerald’s expression changed.
“Elena.”
The name seemed to anger him more than Richard’s.
“She keeps surviving every plan.”
Daniel looked at him.
“That bothers you?”
“She wasn’t supposed to become involved.”
“You framed her.”
“To pressure Richard.”
“You destroyed her marriage.”
“I exposed its weakness.”
Daniel almost laughed.
“You sound exactly like Charles.”
Gerald’s face changed instantly.
Daniel knew he had found the wound.
“You hate him so much you became him.”
“Shut up.”
“You manipulated Vanessa.”
“Shut up.”
“You threatened Richard.”
“Stop.”
“You shot your own father.”
Gerald stepped forward.
“And now you’re holding an old woman hostage because you can’t control what happens next.”
“Enough.”
Gerald raised the weapon.
Outside, Ruiz whispered into his radio.
“Wait.”
Daniel continued.
“Derek still loves you.”
Gerald’s hand trembled.
“That is why he hid you.”
Gerald’s eyes filled.
“That is why he lied for you.”
“Stop talking.”
“That is why he took a bullet and still asked us not to kill you.”
Gerald froze.
“What?”
Daniel saw it.
He had not known.
“Your father begged Detective Ruiz to bring you in alive.”
Gerald’s expression broke for one second.
Mrs. Howard spoke softly.
“Gerald.”
He looked at her.
She had known him since he was a young attorney.
“You can still walk out.”
He laughed.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“My father lost thirty years because of your husband.”
“And you have already given Charles another seven.”
Gerald stared at her.
She continued.
“Do not give him the rest of your life.”
Silence filled the warehouse.
Outside, Ruiz waited.
Gerald lowered the weapon slightly.
Then a metallic bang echoed from the rear entrance.
One tactical officer had accidentally knocked loose a rusted panel.
Gerald spun toward the sound.
Daniel moved.
He slammed the metal case into Gerald’s arm.
The weapon hit the floor.
Mrs. Howard kicked it beneath the chair.
Gerald struck Daniel.
Daniel fell against a table.
Ruiz shouted.
“Police.”
Officers entered from three directions.
Gerald ran toward the loading dock.
He reached the edge.
Below him, the river rushed through the darkness.
Ruiz stopped twenty feet away.
“Gerald.”
Gerald looked down.
Then back.
“Your father is alive.”
Ruiz continued.
“He wants you alive too.”
Gerald laughed bitterly.
“He should have let me die years ago.”
Ruiz lowered his weapon slightly.
“He didn’t.”
Gerald’s eyes moved toward Daniel.
Then toward Mrs. Howard.
For the first time, he looked tired rather than dangerous.
He lifted his hands.
Officers approached.
Handcuffs closed around his wrists.
The pursuit was over.
But as Ruiz escorted Gerald away, Gerald turned toward Daniel.
“You think this ends with me?”
Daniel stared at him.
May you like
Gerald smiled faintly.
“Ask Richard who owns Howard Capital now.”
