Chapter 10 - THE MAN WITH DANIEL’S FACE
Adrian contacted Evelyn before the police found him.
He asked her to come alone to an abandoned chapel on the edge of the Whitmore property.
Ortiz wanted to track the call. Evelyn agreed, but she went inside by herself.
Adrian stood beneath a broken stained-glass window. In the dim light, he looked so much like Daniel that Evelyn’s chest tightened.
“You took the list,” she said.
“To keep it away from Charles.”
“You also entered Noah’s room during the fire.”
“I cut the first restraint strap. Then I heard Grant returning, so I hid in the passage. I could not reach Noah without exposing the backup system.”
“You left him.”
Adrian lowered his eyes. “Yes.”
The answer disgusted her because it was honest.
He explained that he had spent years collecting evidence against Charles. Daniel’s plane crash forced him underground. He faked his death after two attempts on his life.
“Why not go to the police?” Evelyn asked.
“Because Charles owned too many people.”
Adrian handed her the list.
At the bottom was a name Evelyn recognized.
Captain Lena Ortiz.
Before Evelyn could react, the chapel doors opened.
Ortiz entered with her gun raised.
“Step away from him,” she ordered.
Adrian laughed bitterly. “There it is.”
Evelyn looked from the list to Ortiz. “Your name is here.”
“My father’s name,” Ortiz said. “He took money from Charles twenty years ago. I joined the police because I wanted to undo what he helped build.”
Adrian did not lower his hands. “Or you’re finishing his work.”
A red laser dot appeared on Ortiz’s chest.
Evelyn saw it first.
“Down!”
A rifle shot shattered the stained glass.
They dropped behind a pew as more shots tore through the chapel.
Adrian pointed toward a rear crypt door.
“That tunnel leads under the estate.”
“Where does it end?” Evelyn asked.
May you like
His face tightened.
“In the room where Charles is holding the company board.”
