Chapter 7 - The Cost of Saving a Family
Claire was out the door before Robert finished saying her name.
She called Marisol from the driveway.
“Mark just called Ethan. He said Walter found him.”
“Do not go after him yourself.”
“Track the call.”
“We are.”
Claire got into her car.
Ethan opened the passenger door.
“No.”
“I’m coming.”
“No, you’re not.”
“He’s my brother too.”
“That’s exactly why you’re staying.”
Ethan slammed the door shut without getting in.
“You don’t get to come home after years away and start giving orders like you know what this family has been.”
Claire looked at him through the open window.
“You think I wanted to miss everything?”
“I think you always had somewhere else to go.”
The words landed harder than she expected.
He continued, voice shaking now.
“When Mark fell apart, you were gone. When Dad started drinking, you were gone. When Mom called me every night because she thought he’d have a heart attack, you were gone. And I was here.”
Claire’s anger softened, but only slightly.
“I was serving.”
“I know.”
“Then don’t punish me for it.”
“I’m not. I’m telling you why I’m coming.”
He walked around and got in.
Claire drove.
Marisol texted a location from the call trace: an industrial park forty minutes east.
On the way, Claire finally asked, “What did Dad mean about 2009?”
Ethan shook his head. “He never told me.”
Then Linda called.
Her voice was frantic.
“Your father left.”
Claire’s hands tightened on the wheel. “Where?”
“He took the flash drive.”
Claire hit the brakes at a red light.
“What?”
“He said this started with him and he had to end it.”
Claire swore under her breath.
Ethan stared ahead. “He copied it, right?”
Claire did not answer.
Because she didn’t know.
At the house, Robert had left a note on the desk.
Linda read it twice.
WALTER DIDN’T LOAN ME MONEY TO SAVE THE HOUSE.
HE PAID ME TO KEEP QUIET ABOUT YOUR GRANDFATHER’S DEATH.
Linda’s knees nearly gave out.
She called Claire back immediately.
But Claire was already pulling into the industrial park.
One warehouse door stood open.
A black sedan was parked outside.
Walter’s sedan.
Claire killed the headlights.
Ethan whispered, “That’s his car.”
Claire reached for her phone.
Then a second car rolled up behind them.
Robert stepped out.
Holding the flash drive.
Claire’s blood went cold.
“Dad, no.”
The warehouse lights came on.
May you like
Walter Price appeared in the doorway.
And behind him stood Mark.
