Chapter 10: The Man Who Took Lily Twice
“Carter!” Richard shouted.
Carter held Lily in front of him with a knife near her shoulder. “Everybody back!”
Andrew stared at him. “What are you doing?”
Carter laughed. “Saving myself. You Hale brothers can rot together.”
Richard raised his hands. “Let her go.”
Lily cried, “Daddy…”
“Look at me, baby,” Richard said. “Don’t look at him.”
Carter dragged her toward the back exit. “The drive comes with me.”
Andrew snapped, “That drive is mine.”
Carter said, “It proves you paid me. It proves Monica paid me. It proves I killed Grace’s case. I’m not dying for your family.”
Police surrounded the factory.
Detective Mason shouted, “Drop the knife!”
Carter pressed it closer. “One more step and the girl bleeds.”
Richard’s voice shook. “Take me instead.”
Carter smiled. “You? You’re worth less than her now.”
Andrew slowly reached for his gun.
Richard saw it. “Andrew, don’t.”
Andrew whispered, “He’ll ruin everything.”
“He has my daughter.”
“He has my evidence.”
Richard stared at his brother. “You still care more about money?”
Andrew aimed at Carter.
Lily screamed.
Richard lunged up the stairs.
A shot rang out.
Carter stumbled, but he didn’t fall. The bullet had hit the railing.
Lily bit his hand.
Carter yelled and released her.
Richard caught Lily as she ran.
“I’ve got you! I’ve got you!”
Carter grabbed the black drive from Andrew’s laptop and ran through the rear door.
Andrew chased him.
Detective Mason ran after both. “Stop!”
Richard held Lily tightly. “Are you hurt?”
She shook her head, sobbing. “I was brave, Daddy.”
“You were the bravest person in the room.”
Lily whispered, “Mommy said the box had one more secret.”
Richard froze. “What secret?”
She pointed to the folded letter still inside the hidden compartment.
Richard opened it with trembling hands.
Grace had written only one line:
RICHARD, ANDREW IS NOT YOUR BROTHER.
Before he could understand it, an explosion shook the back of the factory.
Fire filled the rear exit.
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Detective Mason’s voice crackled through the radio.
“Richard! Carter is gone—and Andrew escaped with someone who looks exactly like your father!”
