Chapter 13 - The Colonel’s Choice
Victor called James at midnight.
“I want my grandson.”
“You don’t have a grandson,” James replied. “You have a victim you’re trying to turn into property.”
Victor laughed softly.
“You soldiers always believe uniforms make you righteous.”
“No. Choices make us who we are.”
Victor demanded that James bring Noah to an abandoned training warehouse outside the base.
If police followed, Victor promised that Susan would die.
It was the first confirmation that Susan had not escaped.
Victor had been holding his own wife prisoner.
James informed Detective Torres.
They created a plan.
Emily refused to remain behind.
“He is threatening my son because he thinks I’m still helpless.”
“This could be dangerous,” James said.
“It was dangerous when I stayed silent.”
She looked directly at him.
“I won’t be silent again.”
At dawn, James entered the warehouse carrying an empty infant carrier.
Victor stood on a metal walkway above him with Susan tied to a chair.
When he saw the empty carrier, his face twisted.
“Where is the baby?”
“Safe.”
Victor raised his weapon.
Then Emily’s voice echoed through the warehouse speakers.
“Noah will never belong to you.”
Victor spun around.
Emily had used the building’s old communication system to distract him.
Susan kicked the railing.
Victor lost his balance.
The weapon fell to the floor.
James climbed the stairs and reached him before he could recover.
For one second, the two men stood face-to-face.
Victor smiled.
“Go ahead, Colonel.”
James could have struck him.
May you like
Instead, he stepped back as police surrounded the walkway.
“You don’t get to make me like you.”
