Chapter 7 - THE WAREHOUSE
Michael didn't call the police.
Not yet.
He knew Daniel had people inside the department.
Instead, he called three men he trusted from his security team.
They met him outside the city.
The abandoned mining warehouse stood beneath the mountains.
Michael stared at it.
“This is where they took her.”
His head of security nodded.
“We'll get her back.”
Michael held up the brass key.
“Whatever happens, Lily comes first.”
They entered through the rear.
Inside, the warehouse was almost completely dark.
Then they heard a child's voice.
“Mr. Hartman?”
Michael ran.
“Lily!”
She was tied to a chair.
Michael's heart shattered.
He rushed toward her.
But one of the guards stopped him.
“Wait.”
A red laser appeared on Michael's chest.
Snipers.
Michael slowly raised his hands.
A voice echoed through the warehouse.
“Put the key on the floor.”
Daniel stepped from the shadows.
Michael stared at his brother.
“You.”
Daniel smiled.
“You finally came.”
“Let her go.”
“You always were sentimental.”
Michael's eyes burned.
“You killed Emily.”
Daniel's smile disappeared.
“No.”
“Then explain why you were at the accident.”
Daniel looked toward Lily.
“She saw something.”
“What?”
“Something that could destroy everything.”
Michael took a step.
Daniel raised his weapon.
“Don't.”
Michael stopped.
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“You know what Emily's biggest mistake was?”
Michael said nothing.
“She trusted you.”
Michael's expression changed.
“She believed you'd choose family over money.”
Daniel's voice became cold.
“But she was wrong.”
Michael looked at Lily.
“Why are you afraid of a little girl?”
Daniel's face hardened.
“Because that little girl knows where the money is.”
Michael frowned.
“What money?”
Daniel smiled.
“The money Emily discovered.”
Lily suddenly screamed.
“Mr. Hartman!”
Michael looked at her.
“Run!”
Everything happened at once.
The lights went out.
Gunshots exploded.
Michael's security team returned fire.
Michael tackled Lily's chair to the ground.
Glass shattered.
Someone screamed.
Michael cut the ropes.
“Can you run?”
Lily nodded.
He grabbed her hand.
They ran.
Behind them, Daniel shouted.
“You don't understand!”
Michael didn't turn around.
They reached the loading door.
A car screeched toward them.
Michael pushed Lily behind him.
The car stopped.
Sarah stepped out.
Michael stared.
“You escaped the hospital?”
Sarah nodded.
“I came for my daughter.”
Lily ran into her arms.
Michael stood there, stunned.
For the first time, mother and daughter were reunited.
But then Sarah looked at him.
“We have to leave.”
“Why?”
“Because Daniel wasn't the one who ordered the accident.”
Michael froze.
“What?”
Sarah whispered:
“Daniel was working for someone else.”
Then headlights appeared in the distance.
Dozens of vehicles were approaching.
Sarah grabbed Lily.
“They found us.”
Michael looked toward the road.
“Who?”
May you like
Sarah's face went white.
“The people who killed Emily.”
