Chapter 13 - The Boathouse
The old Vale boathouse leaned over the river like it had spent fifty years trying not to fall in.
Arthur parked two hundred yards away and walked the rest of the distance alone.
At least, Graham was supposed to think he was alone.
Elena had refused to stay behind. She circled through the trees toward the rear dock while Detective Kim’s team moved into position farther upriver.
Arthur entered through the front.
Graham stood in the center of the room.
Victoria was tied to a support post. Mateo was bound to a chair near the water doors. Nolan’s replacement—a thin man Arthur had never seen—held a gun.
Graham smiled. “There he is.”
Arthur held up the envelope. “Let them go.”
“Put it on the table.”
“Victoria first.”
Victoria stared at Arthur, mascara streaked down her face. “Don’t give him anything.”
Graham slapped her.
Arthur moved forward.
The gunman aimed at his chest.
“Easy,” Graham said. “You’ve spent your whole life buying solutions. Buy this one.”
Arthur placed the envelope on the table.
Graham opened it and checked the amendment.
His smile widened.
“Now the drive.”
“I don’t have it.”
The smile vanished.
“You always were a terrible liar.”
Outside, Elena crawled beneath the rear deck. She could hear voices through the planks.
Mateo’s chair was only a few feet from the water doors.
She reached a side ladder and climbed silently.
Inside, Graham pulled out a lighter.
He held the amendment over the flame.
Arthur said, “Burn it. There are copies.”
Graham paused.
That was the first crack.
Arthur saw it and pushed.
“The drive is already with the police.”
Graham’s eyes changed.
Behind him, Victoria suddenly kicked the table. The lighter flew from his hand.
The gunman turned.
Elena burst through the rear door and drove her shoulder into him.
The gun fired into the ceiling.
Mateo threw himself sideways with the chair.
Arthur hit Graham.
The two men crashed into the table.
Victoria screamed, “Arthur, the floor!”
A rotted plank snapped beneath them.
May you like
Arthur dropped through the boards and plunged into the black river below.
Graham fell after him.
