Chapter 11 - The Trust
The Sophie Cole Trust used enhanced protection because of its size.
Any emergency transfer above ten million required a trustee signature, co-trustee authorization, and a biometric verification tied to Sophie's identity file.
"They need her fingerprint," Daniel said.
Adrian's hands curled into fists.
Ortiz leaned over the map.
"Where can they complete it?"
"Any Cole Holdings executive secure terminal."
"How many?"
"Six."
"Which one is least monitored?"
Adrian and Daniel answered together.
"The old lake house."
Police moved fast.
Adrian moved faster.
At the lake house, Sophie sat in a chair beside Rachel.
Nolan stood near the door.
Vanessa was at the computer.
Graham paced.
"You said this would be clean," Graham snapped.
Vanessa didn't look up.
"It was clean until the child found the bear."
Sophie glared at her.
"My name is Sophie."
Vanessa looked over.
"What?"
"You keep calling me 'the child.' My name is Sophie."
Rachel almost smiled.
Graham didn't.
"Get her finger on the scanner."
Nolan hesitated.
"She's scared."
Vanessa turned.
"So?"
Rachel pulled Sophie closer.
"You touch her and Adrian will bury all of you."
Vanessa laughed.
"Adrian spent two years believing whatever I told him."
"Not anymore."
"That's why we're leaving."
The computer chimed.
AUTHORIZATION READY.
Vanessa crouched in front of Sophie.
"Put your finger here."
"No."
"You'll do it."
"No."
Vanessa grabbed her wrist.
Sophie kicked the table.
The scanner fell.
Vanessa's face twisted.
"You little brat."
A voice boomed from outside.
"POLICE! HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!"
Graham swore.
Nolan stepped backward.
Vanessa grabbed Sophie and pulled her toward the rear door.
Rachel lunged.
Graham knocked over a lamp.
The room plunged into darkness.
Adrian burst through the side entrance as Sophie screamed.
He saw Vanessa dragging her toward the dock.
"LET HER GO!"
Vanessa turned.
For one second, father and daughter locked eyes.
"Daddy!"
Adrian ran.
Vanessa reached the dock.
A speedboat waited with its engine running.
Then Nolan stepped out of the shadows.
He raised his hands.
"I'm done."
Vanessa stared at him.
"What are you doing?"
Nolan looked at Adrian.
"I'll testify."
Graham shouted from the house.
May you like
Then a gunshot cracked across the lake.
Nolan dropped to the dock.
