Chapter 15 - Pier 9
Pier 9 belonged to an abandoned shipping yard on the east river.
Ruiz wanted a full tactical team.
Vanessa called again before they were in position.
"Daniel comes alone, or I drive away with Evelyn."
Ruiz whispered, "We will be there. You just won't see us."
I carried a backpack containing copies of the flash drive and death certificate.
The real drive was already in police custody.
The real certificate was with the district attorney.
Vanessa didn't know that.
Her SUV waited near the edge of the pier.
My mother sat inside.
Vanessa stood beside the driver's door.
"Bag on the ground."
"Let her out first."
"Daniel--"
"You wanted me. I'm here. Let my mother out."
Vanessa opened the passenger door.
Mom stepped out slowly, clutching the green handbag.
She looked at me without recognition.
Then she smiled.
"Robert?"
My father's name.
It broke my heart and nearly got us killed.
I moved toward her.
Vanessa grabbed the handbag.
Mom held on.
"That's Claire's," she snapped.
Vanessa went still.
For one clear second, my mother was completely present.
"You took my girl," she said.
Vanessa ripped the bag away.
A shot cracked from a warehouse window.
The SUV's rear glass exploded.
Elliot.
Vanessa screamed, "You idiot!"
She hadn't planned the shot.
Ruiz's team moved in.
I pulled my mother behind a concrete barrier as more shots hit the pavement.
Vanessa ran toward the warehouse with the green bag.
I chased her.
Inside, rusted machinery formed narrow aisles. Vanessa disappeared between shipping crates.
I heard her shouting into her phone.
"Elliot, stop! The token is here!"
A hand grabbed me from behind.
I turned, ready to fight.
It was Noah.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Grandma texted me from the car. She told me where she was."
"Get outside!"
A steel door slammed behind us.
A lock clicked.
May you like
Then smoke curled from the far end of the warehouse.
Someone had set the building on fire.
