Chapter 6 - THE VAULT
The vault was hidden beneath an old bank in downtown Chicago.
Only three people had access.
Richard Harrison.
Martin Cole.
And Evelyn Reed.
Or so we thought.
The bank manager looked at the gold key.
Then at me.
"You've got to be kidding."
"Open it."
He hesitated.
Daniel placed a legal document on the counter.
The manager finally nodded.
The elevator descended beneath the building.
Sophie held my hand.
The doors opened.
We walked down a narrow hallway.
At the end stood a steel door.
The manager inserted the key.
Nothing happened.
"Wrong key?"
Evelyn shook her head.
"No."
She pointed at Sophie.
"Try her."
Sophie stepped forward.
She placed her tiny hand against a fingerprint scanner.
A green light appeared.
The door opened.
Nobody spoke.
Inside was a room filled with boxes.
Photographs.
Contracts.
Hard drives.
Letters.
And one large wooden chest.
I opened it.
Inside was a letter addressed to me.
Michael,
If Sophie has reached this room with you, then you've finally learned the truth.
I need you to understand something.
I never chose between my children.
I was trying to save both.
I read every word.
Then I reached the final paragraph.
The person who betrayed me was not Jonathan.
I stopped.
Daniel leaned closer.
"What?"
I continued.
Jonathan was only following orders.
The person behind everything was someone you trust.
My blood went cold.
There was another envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed my father.
Jonathan.
My grandmother.
And another person.
A man standing behind them.
I recognized him instantly.
Daniel.
My attorney.
I slowly turned.
He was standing in the doorway.
His face had changed.
No warmth.
No concern.
Just calculation.
"I wondered when you'd find it," he said.
Sophie moved behind me.
I stepped in front of her.
"How long?"
Daniel smiled.
"Since before your father died."
"You killed him?"
"No."
"Then who?"
Daniel reached into his coat.
"I don't think you're ready for that."
Evelyn shouted,
"Michael, run!"
Daniel raised a gun.
But before he could fire, the lights went out.
A struggle erupted.
I grabbed Sophie and ran.
May you like
Behind me, I heard Evelyn scream.
Then a gunshot.
