Chapter 12 - What Victor Wanted
Daniel did not believe the remote controlled explosives.
Not completely.
But he believed Victor was desperate enough to try something deadly.
Thomas whispered, “Those drums are empty.”
Victor looked at him. “Not anymore.”
Madeline stepped forward. “Victor, stop.”
“Stop?” He laughed. “You called Daniel after everything we planned.”
“You lied to me.”
“I told you what you needed to hear.”
Daniel kept his voice steady. “The police know we’re here.”
Victor shrugged. “Then they can watch it burn.”
Outside, sirens remained silent.
Daniel understood why. Rebecca was waiting for his signal.
He needed time.
“What do you want?”
Victor’s eyes settled on the document tube.
“That.”
“The letters?”
“The letters, the recording from last night, Lucy’s videos, everything.”
Daniel almost smiled. “That’s a long list.”
“You give me the tube and your phone. Then you three walk out.”
Madeline said, “He’ll burn the warehouse anyway.”
Victor’s face hardened. “You don’t know me as well as you think.”
She stared at him. “I know you opened the Cayman account in your own name.”
Victor’s expression changed.
Daniel caught it.
Madeline continued. “You told Mom it was a Whitmore reserve account. It wasn’t. You were stealing from her too.”
Thomas let out a quiet breath.
The alliance was breaking.
Victor snapped, “Shut up.”
“No.” Madeline’s voice shook, but she kept going. “You planned to let my family take the blame while you disappeared.”
Daniel’s phone, still in his pocket, vibrated once.
Rebecca was listening.
Victor took a step toward Madeline.
Thomas moved between them.
“Don’t,” he said.
Victor looked at the older man and laughed. “You’re the reason any of this exists.”
Thomas nodded. “Maybe.”
Then he glanced at Daniel.
The glance lasted half a second.
Daniel understood.
Thomas kicked the gasoline can.
It rolled across the concrete and slammed into Victor’s ankle.
Victor stumbled.
Daniel lunged.
The remote flew from Victor’s hand.
Madeline screamed.
Thomas grabbed the document tube.
Daniel hit the floor with Victor, both men fighting for the remote.
A button clicked.
Nothing happened.
Victor looked shocked.
Thomas laughed once. “Empty drums?” he said. “I lied.”
Daniel slammed the remote away.
The warehouse doors burst open.
Police rushed in.
Victor was dragged to the floor and handcuffed.
For the first time in twelve hours, Daniel thought it might be over.
Then one officer picked up Victor’s dropped phone.
The screen was still unlocked.
A scheduled email was open.
Recipient: FINANCIAL PRESS DISTRIBUTION LIST.
Subject: CARTER SYSTEMS FRAUD FILES.
May you like
Send time: 9:00 a.m.
The clock on the wall read 8:56.
