Chapter 15 - The Choice That Was Hers
Olivia watched the video again in Naomi’s office. Megan had looked terrified, but fear could be performed. Jake had taught Olivia that much.
“We don’t go alone,” Naomi said.
“Megan said Claire is alive.”
“Claire is at a safe house with federal agents.”
Olivia turned. “What?”
Adrian’s face was unreadable. “I moved her after the house was compromised.”
“You moved my mother without telling me?”
“She agreed.”
“That doesn’t answer me.”
“I was going to tell you after we secured the original ledger.”
Olivia walked away from him. “You keep deciding what information I can handle.”
“I was trying to keep Claire alive.”
“And me?”
“You too.”
“No. You were trying to keep your plan intact.”
Adrian’s silence confirmed that she had hit the truth.
Naomi placed a file on the desk. “The federal agents are ready to move on Graham, but they need a direct transaction or an authenticated ledger.”
“Then we use the pier,” Olivia said.
“We control the meeting.”
“No,” Adrian said. “We let Graham believe he controls it.”
They designed the operation around Olivia’s decision. She would answer Megan’s message and bring a decoy drive. Marcus would monitor the pier. Naomi would deliver the video and evidence to investigators if anything went wrong. Adrian would remain out of sight until Graham revealed himself.
“You stay behind me,” Adrian said during the briefing.
Olivia looked at him. “Try again.”
“You stay where you can see the exits.”
“Better.”
At midnight, Pier 44 smelled of salt, rust, and diesel. Olivia walked alone beneath the warehouse lights. Megan stood beside a stack of crates, her makeup washed away by rain.
“Where’s Claire?” Olivia asked.
“I don’t know.”
“You said she was alive.”
“Graham told me to say it.”
“Why should I listen to anything you say?”
“Because I’m done being afraid of him.”
Megan looked over her shoulder. “Jake was supposed to get the ledger from your apartment. He couldn’t find it, so Graham had him create the emails. I helped him access the presentation system.”
“Why?”
“Graham promised me a senior position at Vale Meridian.”
“And now?”
“Now I know what he does to people who disappoint him.”
Footsteps echoed from the far end of the warehouse.
Graham emerged with Jake and two armed men. “Olivia,” he said. “You have your mother’s courage and her poor judgment.”
“You threatened my family.”
“Your family threatened itself.”
“Where is my father?”
Graham’s smile vanished. “Daniel made a series of unfortunate decisions.”
“Is he alive?”
“For the moment.”
Olivia held up the decoy drive. “You want this.”
“I want the ledger.”
“Then tell me the truth.”
“You’re in no position to negotiate.”
“You brought me here because you need something from me. That means I have a position.”
For the first time, Graham looked uncertain.
Jake stepped toward her. “Give him the drive.”
Olivia looked at him. “You had six months to choose a side.”
“I chose you.”
“No. You chose yourself.”
Graham lifted his hand. One of the armed men grabbed Megan.
“The drive,” Graham said.
Olivia tossed it across the floor. The man bent to pick it up.
Every warehouse light exploded on at once.
Federal agents poured through the doors.
Graham reached inside his coat, but Adrian appeared behind him and knocked the weapon away.
“It’s over,” Adrian said.
Graham laughed. “You think arresting me changes who owns Vale Meridian?”
May you like
Adrian looked toward Olivia. “No. She does.”
Then Daniel Parker stepped from the shadows carrying the original ledger.
