Chapter 16 - The Price of Loyalty
Alexander wanted to go alone. Lena refused.
“You’ve spent your life walking into traps because you think being feared makes you untouchable,” she said. “It doesn’t.”
He looked at the photograph again. “Marcus has been with me for eleven years.”
“Then he knows how you think.”
They reached the old theater shortly before midnight. Lena carried a copy of the ledger. The original remained with Margaret and Evelyn, who had gone to the federal prosecutor through a lawyer they trusted.
Inside, the stage lights came on.
Peter sat in the front row. Marcus stood beside him. Victoria was tied to a chair near the orchestra pit.
“You came,” Peter said.
“Let her go,” Alexander answered.
Peter smiled. “You always did confuse loyalty with love.”
Marcus looked at Alexander. His face was drawn and tired.
“Boss, I’m sorry.”
“Tell me why.”
“My daughter was arrested three years ago. Peter had the judge change her sentence. He promised to keep her safe if I did what he asked.”
“You could have come to me.”
“I thought you’d choose the family over me.”
Alexander’s expression softened, but only slightly. “You never gave me the chance.”
Peter stood. “Enough. Give me the ledger.”
Lena stepped forward. “You want it? Tell me who ordered the second fire.”
Peter laughed. “There was no second fire.”
“Then why was the studio burned?”
Peter’s smile faded.
Victoria lifted her head. “Because I copied the trust.”
Everyone turned.
She spoke through a split lip. “My father found out I had helped Margaret. He ordered the studio burned and blamed the electrical wiring. I hid the trust before he could get it.”
Peter struck her across the face.
Alexander moved, but Marcus stepped between them.
“Don’t,” Marcus said. “I’ve got this.”
He turned his weapon toward Peter.
Peter’s face changed. “You wouldn’t.”
“I’ve spent eleven years being afraid of you.”
Marcus fired at the stage lights. Darkness swallowed the theater.
In the confusion, Lena cut Victoria free. Alexander tackled Peter. A gun skidded beneath the seats.
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When the emergency lights came on, Peter was gone.
And Marcus was lying on the floor, blood spreading beneath his shirt.
