Chapter 17 - The Last Man Running
Serena’s father survived.
He admitted moving money but claimed Martin Shaw had threatened him after Helena’s arrest.
“Martin was never her employee,” he said. “He was her partner.”
Victor leaned across the interview table.
“Where would he go?”
The man shook his head. “Somewhere you won’t look.”
Clara was the one who understood.
“He’s going back to the mansion.”
Marcus frowned. “Why?”
“Because everyone important is away from it. Victor’s here. Police are here. Helena’s locked up. Martin knows the security layout.”
Victor stood instantly.
At the mansion, only a reduced team remained with Ethan and Margaret’s medical escort.
They called.
No answer.
Victor’s face drained.
They raced home.
The front doors stood open.
One guard lay unconscious in the hall.
The nursery was empty.
Clara’s heart stopped.
Then she heard Ethan crying from the library.
Martin stood behind Victor’s desk with one arm around the child.
A pistol rested against the wood, not pointed at Ethan but close enough to terrify everyone.
“Stay back,” Martin said.
Victor did.
Clara stepped into view.
Ethan reached toward her.
“Cwa-wa.”
Martin tightened his hold.
Clara stopped.
“You don’t need him.”
“I need time.”
“For what?”
“To leave.”
Victor’s voice was low. “You’re not leaving.”
Martin laughed. “You still think this is about money.”
“What is it about?”
“Being invisible.”
He looked at Victor with years of resentment in his face.
“I fixed your companies. Covered your mistakes. Protected your family. Helena saw me. Naomi saw me. You never did.”
Victor said, “So you helped kill my wife because I didn’t appreciate you?”
Martin’s expression twisted.
“No. Naomi was supposed to be scared.”
Clara saw Marcus moving behind the glass doors outside.
She kept Martin talking.
“And Ethan?”
Martin looked down at the child.
“Collateral.”
Clara’s face went cold.
“That’s where you lose.”
May you like
Martin frowned.
Ethan bit his hand.
