Chapter 6 - THE WAREHOUSE
The warehouse sat near the old harbor.
Thomas arrived with David and six security officers.
But he did not enter immediately.
He studied the building.
Two exits.
Three upper windows.
One loading dock.
No visible guards.
Too quiet.
David whispered, “Could be a trap.”
“It is.”
Thomas looked at the dark windows.
“But they have my daughter.”
Evelyn stepped from the vehicle behind him.
Thomas turned.
“You shouldn't be here.”
She shook her head.
“You've spent two years thinking I was your enemy.”
Thomas looked at her.
“Not anymore.”
She nodded.
“Then let me help.”
Inside, Genevieve sat tied to a chair.
Toby sat beside her.
Martin stood nearby.
Richard Bell was beside him.
Thomas's stomach tightened.
“So you were together.”
Richard smiled.
“Thomas.”
“You forged my signature.”
“Yes.”
“You manipulated Evelyn.”
“Yes.”
“You threatened my daughter.”
Richard shrugged.
“Business.”
Thomas's expression changed.
“You murdered my wife.”
Richard's smile disappeared.
“No.”
Martin looked at him.
Richard continued.
“Your wife died because she refused to understand the consequences of interfering.”
Thomas moved forward.
David stopped him.
Richard laughed.
“You see? This is why I knew you were easy to control.”
Thomas stared.
“What?”
“You're predictable.”
Richard gestured toward Genevieve.
“Family is your weakness.”
Evelyn stepped forward.
“No.”
Richard looked at her.
“You were supposed to keep him distracted.”
“I was supposed to expose you.”
Richard's face hardened.
Thomas realized the warehouse was being recorded.
A tiny red light blinked above the doorway.
Evelyn saw it too.
She smiled.
Richard didn't notice.
“You think anyone will believe you?” he asked.
Thomas answered:
“They don't have to.”
Richard frowned.
Thomas lifted his phone.
“Your confession is already being transmitted.”
Richard's face went white.
David's team had connected the recording to federal investigators.
Richard turned toward Martin.
“You idiot.”
Martin grabbed a weapon.
Everything happened at once.
A shot rang out.
Glass shattered.
Security moved.
Thomas tackled Richard.
Evelyn rushed toward Genevieve.
Martin ran.
David chased him.
Within seconds, Martin was gone.
But Genevieve was safe.
Thomas untied her.
She threw her arms around him.
“I’m sorry.”
Thomas held her.
“No.”
“I should have told you.”
“You were protecting Toby.”
“I was scared.”
“I know.”
Toby ran into Thomas's arms.
“Grandpa!”
Thomas lifted him.
For the first time in years, the little boy's weight felt like something sacred.
Then Evelyn approached.
Thomas looked at her.
“Thank you.”
She smiled sadly.
“I never wanted your wedding.”
Thomas laughed once.
“Good.”
“I wanted you alive.”
That sentence stayed with him.
May you like
Because for the first time, Thomas understood that love wasn't always the person standing beside you at an altar.
Sometimes it was the person willing to let you hate them if that hatred kept you alive.
