Chapter 12 - THE SETUP
Amy didn’t move.
“What evidence?”
Evelyn smiled.
“The grieving, unstable wife who took her own life.”
Amy’s heart slammed against her ribs.
Outside, Thomas and police were listening.
At least she hoped they were.
Evelyn continued.
“You should’ve thrown the champagne.”
Amy stared at her.
“What?”
“At the gala. Vanessa had a photographer waiting.”
Amy felt sick.
“You planned everything.”
“I designed the pressure.”
“For Blackwell?”
“For money.”
“At least you’re honest.”
Evelyn laughed.
“You think honesty matters?”
“I think you talk too much.”
The smile vanished.
Good.
Keep her talking.
“You know what Daniel’s weakness is?” Evelyn asked.
Amy thought of a dozen answers.
“Control.”
“No.”
Evelyn stepped closer.
“Fear.”
Amy said nothing.
“He is terrified of being abandoned.”
“I know.”
“No, you don’t. His father spent twenty years teaching him that anyone who leaves must be punished before they can hurt you.”
Amy swallowed.
“And you planned to use that.”
“I planned to turn him into his father.”
“That wouldn’t take much help.”
The words hurt Amy as soon as she said them.
Because she wasn’t sure they were fair.
Evelyn smiled.
“Exactly.”
Her phone buzzed.
She glanced at it.
Amy took one step sideways.
“Don’t.”
The gun lifted.
Amy stopped.
Then a voice exploded through the building.
“POLICE! DROP THE WEAPON!”
Evelyn fired.
Amy ducked.
The gunshot shattered glass behind her.
She hit the concrete hard, protecting her stomach with both arms.
More shouting.
Boots.
Another gunshot.
Amy crawled behind a steel beam.
“AMY!”
Daniel.
What the hell was Daniel doing inside?
She looked up.
He ran from the side entrance.
“Get down!” Thomas shouted.
Evelyn appeared from behind a column.
Gun raised.
Pointed directly at Daniel.
Amy screamed.
“DANIEL!”
He turned.
The shot cracked.
Daniel fell.
For one terrible second, Amy couldn’t hear anything.
Then police rushed Evelyn.
Thomas tackled her against a wall.
The gun skidded across the floor.
Amy ran.
“Daniel!”
He was on his side.
Blood spread across his white shirt.
“No, no, no.”
She dropped beside him.
His eyes opened.
“Hey.”
“Don’t talk.”
“That’s usually your favorite thing.”
“Shut up.”
He smiled weakly.
Then winced.
Amy pressed both hands against the wound near his shoulder.
“Why are you here?”
“I was outside.”
“You were supposed to stay outside.”
“I’m bad at instructions.”
“You’re an idiot.”
“I know.”
“Stop saying that!”
A medic rushed over.
Amy moved back.
Daniel grabbed her hand.
“Baby?”
“I’m okay.”
“You sure?”
“I’m sure.”
His eyes closed.
“Daniel?”
The medic pushed her back.
“Ma’am, give us room.”
Amy stood shaking.
Thomas walked over.
“Evelyn’s alive.”
“Vanessa?”
“Police found a second location from Evelyn’s phone.”
Amy’s knees almost buckled.
“Is she alive?”
“We don’t know yet.”
Daniel was lifted onto a stretcher.
As paramedics moved him toward the ambulance, his phone fell from his pocket.
Amy picked it up.
The screen lit.
May you like
A message from Ryan.
We found the original Blackwell contract. Margaret Harrison’s signature is on it.
