Chapter 7 - THE MAN IN THE HELICOPTER
The helicopter descended over Pier 19.
Its searchlight swept across the warehouse windows.
Daniel ordered everyone to take cover.
The aircraft landed on the roof of the neighboring storage building.
Four armed men emerged first.
Behind them came a tall man wearing a charcoal overcoat.
Adrian recognized him immediately.
“Uncle Victor.”
Victor Vale had served as chairman of the Vale Foundation before retiring to Switzerland.
He had mentored Adrian after the death of Adrian’s father.
He had also signed the foundation reports Isabelle had questioned.
Victor entered the warehouse without hurry.
He looked at Marcus, Dr. Warren, and the captured gunmen.
Disappointment crossed his face.
“You have created an extraordinary mess.”
Adrian stepped between Victor and Lily’s rabbit.
“You arranged Isabelle’s death.”
Victor removed his gloves.
“Your wife was emotional.”
“She discovered irregularities and convinced herself they were crimes.”
“You stole millions from children’s hospitals.”
“We redirected capital into investments.”
“Investments you controlled.”
Victor gave a patient smile.
“The foundation survived because of me.”
Nora helped Claire toward Daniel’s team.
Victor noticed her.
“Your mother was equally stubborn.”
Nora stopped.
“What did you do to her?”
“She refused to understand that silence would protect her daughters.”
Nora lunged forward.
Daniel restrained her.
Victor looked at Adrian.
“Give me the rabbit.”
“It is empty.”
Victor’s smile disappeared.
“Isabelle was clever.”
“She divided the evidence.”
“The rabbit carried only the location of the first copy.”
Adrian remembered the empty pocket.
“Celeste found something inside.”
“Yes.”
Victor turned toward Marcus.
“And then Marcus lost it.”
Marcus struggled to sit upright.
“The flash drive was damaged.”
“It could not be opened.”
“Where is it now?”
Marcus hesitated.
Victor drew a pistol and fired.
Marcus collapsed.
The warehouse erupted into chaos.
Daniel’s team returned fire.
Victor’s men dragged him toward the exit.
Adrian tackled one guard.
Nora pulled Claire behind a concrete barrier.
Victor reached the roof stairs.
Before disappearing, he shouted to Adrian.
“Ask your daughter what her mother taught her to count.”
The helicopter lifted moments later.
Marcus remained alive, but the bullet had entered his shoulder.
Adrian knelt beside him.
“Where is the flash drive?”
Marcus coughed.
“Celeste has it.”
May you like
Then he whispered something that chilled Adrian more deeply.
“She is not at the estate anymore.”
