CHAPTER 19 The Man Behind the Voice
Nobody moved.
Richard's voice filled the abandoned house.
Impossible.
He was dead.
Daniel looked around.
"This is a recording."
Noah shook his head.
"No."
The voice continued.
"Hello, my children."
Emma felt cold.
The message was not old.
It was prepared.
For them.
Richard continued:
"I know you are angry."
A pause.
"I know you believe I failed you."
Daniel clenched his fists.
"You're right."
The recording continued.
"But before you judge me, understand one thing."
Static.
Then:
"I was not running from my secrets."
Silence.
"I was running from someone else's."
The room became still.
Richard continued:
"There is a person who has controlled the Harrington family for thirty years."
Emma whispered:
"Who?"
The answer came.
"I called him The Architect."
Daniel frowned.
"The Architect?"
"Because he doesn't destroy families."
Richard's voice became darker.
"He designs their destruction."
Noah stepped closer.
"Who is he?"
The recording paused.
Then:
"You already know him."
Everyone froze.
Daniel looked at Noah.
Emma looked at Daniel.
The recording continued:
"The person you trust the most..."
A pause.
"...is the person you should fear."
The speakers went silent.
Then a final message appeared on the screen.
A name.
May you like
A name nobody expected.
VICTORIA HARRINGTON.
