Chapter 11 - THE FORTY-SECOND FLOOR
Gabriel entered the construction tower carrying an empty document case.
A tactical team moved through the lower stairwells.
Elena sat near the open edge.
Wind moved through unfinished walls.
Harold stood behind her.
“You always got everything,” Harold said.
“The company.”
“Father’s respect.”
“Victoria.”
Gabriel stopped twenty feet away.
“You received money, property, and a board seat.”
“I received leftovers.”
“You received choices.”
“You used them to help Michael imprison women.”
Harold pressed the gun closer to Elena.
“She was a housekeeper.”
“She was a witness.”
“She was loyal to my daughter.”
Harold smiled.
“Victoria trusted servants more than family.”
“Because the servants did not try to kill her.”
The words struck him.
His hand tightened.
Elena looked at Gabriel.
“Do not give him anything.”
Harold pulled her to her feet.
The edge stood two steps behind them.
Gabriel placed the case on the concrete.
“The certificates are inside.”
Harold forced Elena forward while keeping the gun aimed.
He opened the case.
Blank paper filled it.
Harold’s face changed.
Gabriel moved.
Elena dropped to the floor.
The gun fired into the ceiling.
Gabriel struck Harold’s wrist.
They crashed against a temporary railing.
The metal bent outward.
Harold grabbed Gabriel’s coat.
For one second, both men hung above the river.
Elena crawled toward them.
She caught Gabriel’s arm.
Tactical officers entered.
Two pulled Gabriel back.
Harold lost his grip.
A safety net installed two floors below caught him.
He survived with a broken leg and fractured spine.
As officers lifted Elena, she looked at Gabriel.
“You almost fell.”
“So did you.”
“I am not the billionaire.”
“Gravity does not check bank accounts.”
For the first time since the foyer attack, Elena laughed.
May you like
It lasted only a second.
It was still proof that Michael had not taken everything.
