Chapter 15 - Back to the Mansion
Police surrounded the estate within twenty minutes.
Marcus had returned to the one place everyone assumed he would avoid.
The mansion was empty except for investigators.
Or it was supposed to be.
Adrian insisted on going inside with Grant, against police advice.
They found Marcus in Richard Cole's old library.
He sat behind the desk as if he owned it.
"You always hated this room," Adrian said.
Marcus smiled. "Your father didn't."
"My father is gone."
"His rules aren't."
Marcus held a small remote trigger.
Grant immediately stopped moving.
"What does that control?"
Marcus nodded toward the wall monitor.
A live camera feed appeared.
Maria sat in the secured townhouse with Oliver.
Adrian's blood went cold.
"How are you seeing that?"
"I told you. I've been inside your systems for years."
Maria suddenly looked toward the camera.
A red dot blinked on the wall behind her.
"You wired that house?" Adrian asked.
"Not personally. I outsource."
Grant spoke calmly. "If you hurt them, you lose your leverage."
Marcus's thumb rested on the trigger.
"I don't need leverage anymore. I need an exit."
He demanded a car, a clear gate, and twenty minutes before police pursuit.
Adrian stepped closer.
"Take me instead."
Marcus laughed. "Still trying to be noble when it's useful."
Adrian's phone vibrated once.
A text from Maria.
I FOUND THE CAMERA. THERE'S NO DEVICE CONNECTED TO IT.
Adrian understood.
The feed was real, but the threat was fake.
Marcus was bluffing.
Adrian looked at the remote.
Then at Marcus.
"Go ahead."
Marcus blinked.
"What?"
"Press it."
For the first time, Marcus looked uncertain.
Grant moved.
Marcus bolted through a hidden panel behind the bookshelves.
Adrian followed.
The passage led to the same old service tunnels beneath the property.
They heard Marcus running ahead.
Then a heavy door slammed.
Grant reached it and swore.
Locked.
May you like
From the other side, Marcus shouted, "You should have stayed with your son!"
A car engine roared outside.
