Chapter 7 - THE TRUTH ABOUT THE FOUR BOYS
The attack changed everything.
Richard no longer cared about protecting his reputation.
He cared about survival.
The next morning, every account associated with O'Connell Holdings was frozen.
His board demanded answers.
News outlets reported that Richard O'Connell had disappeared.
David appeared on television claiming Richard was unstable.
Richard watched the interview from the safe house.
David looked concerned.
Almost believable.
"We are deeply worried about Richard," David told reporters. "He's under tremendous pressure."
Richard laughed bitterly.
"He always was a liar."
Eleanor sat beside him.
"I know."
Richard looked at her.
"Why did you never contact me?"
"Because every phone call was monitored."
"By David?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you go to the police?"
"I did."
"What happened?"
"They were paid."
Richard looked at Sarah.
"And Rebecca?"
Eleanor lowered her eyes.
"Rebecca was killed because she discovered the truth."
Richard asked:
"What truth?"
Eleanor hesitated.
"The four boys weren't random."
Richard stared.
"What does that mean?"
"Rebecca had been working with a private fertility clinic."
Sarah frowned.
"Why?"
"Because she was investigating illegal embryo transfers."
Richard's face hardened.
"You're saying the boys were connected to some kind of scheme?"
"Yes."
Eleanor continued.
"Four embryos were created from four different genetic lines."
Richard looked at the boys.
"Why?"
"Because someone wanted children with specific inherited traits."
Sarah whispered:
"Money?"
"Power."
Richard stood.
"This is insane."
Eleanor looked at him.
"David was part of it."
Richard stopped.
"David?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because he was working with wealthy clients who wanted children connected to powerful families."
Richard felt sick.
"And Thomas?"
Eleanor looked at Sarah.
"Thomas was Rebecca's biological son."
Sarah began crying.
"Then why were the other three involved?"
Eleanor shook her head.
"I don't know."
Richard looked at his four sons.
For three years, he had thought they were four traumatized boys abandoned by their mother.
Now he realized they might be evidence.
Living evidence.
Someone had spent years trying to control them.
Suddenly, Thomas walked into the room.
"Dad?"
Richard crouched.
"Yes?"
"Why is Mommy crying?"
Richard hugged him.
"Because she's happy to see you."
Thomas looked at Eleanor.
"Are you my mommy?"
Eleanor began crying.
She knelt.
"I love you."
Thomas stared at her.
Then slowly hugged her.
Richard looked away.
The family he thought was destroyed was standing in front of him.
Broken.
But together.
Then the safe-house alarm sounded.
Security shouted.
"Someone breached the eastern fence!"
Richard grabbed the boys.
Eleanor took Sarah's hand.
They ran toward the underground exit.
But before they reached it, the lights went out.
Darkness.
Then a voice echoed through the house.
"Richard."
David.
Richard stopped.
"Come out."
"You won't get them."
"I don't want them."
"Then what do you want?"
A pause.
"I want the records."
Richard froze.
"What records?"
"The original birth records."
Richard looked at Eleanor.
She whispered:
"They're here."
David continued.
"Give me the records and everyone walks away."
Richard almost laughed.
"You're asking me to trust you?"
"No."
David's voice became cold.
"I'm giving you one chance."
A gunshot echoed.
Then another.
Richard pushed the boys behind him.
And suddenly Sarah stepped forward.
"I know where the records are."
Richard turned.
"Sarah, no."
She looked at him.
"I know where Rebecca hid them."
Then she walked into the darkness.
And David's voice whispered:
"Good girl."
May you like
Richard's blood ran cold.
Sarah had just walked directly into the trap.
