Chapter 4 - THE UNCLE WHO NEVER DIED
Nora couldn't move.
Richard Montgomery looked exactly like the man in the photograph.
Older than her father.
Calmer.
Colder.
His eyes held no surprise.
Only calculation.
David raised his weapon.
"Hands where I can see them."
Richard slowly lifted his hands.
"Still a Marine."
"Retired."
"Good."
Richard smiled.
"Then perhaps you know when a war is already lost."
David didn't lower his weapon.
"Who are you?"
"You know who I am."
"I know who you were."
Richard's smile disappeared.
"Fair."
Nora stepped forward.
"Why were you watching me?"
Richard looked at her.
"Because you were the only thing your father ever loved."
"That's not true."
"It is."
"He threatened me."
"Charles threatened everyone."
Richard sighed.
"He became a coward."
Nora felt anger rise.
"You knew my mother."
"Rebecca was my favorite."
"What happened to her?"
Richard's face changed.
For the first time, pain appeared.
"She discovered the truth."
"What truth?"
Richard looked at Julian.
"Ask him."
Nora turned.
Julian looked confused.
"Why me?"
"Because you found Thomas Avery's case."
Julian stiffened.
"Thomas was murdered."
Richard nodded.
"Yes."
"By Charles?"
"No."
The room fell silent.
"Then who?"
Richard looked directly at Nora.
"Rebecca."
Nora froze.
"That makes no sense."
"She killed Thomas."
Julian stepped forward.
"Why?"
"Because Thomas had discovered the final account."
"What account?"
"The one connecting the Montgomery family to the people who financed the operation."
Nora frowned.
"What operation?"
Richard's eyes hardened.
"The one that bought politicians."
David lowered his weapon slightly.
Richard continued.
"For years, your father wasn't stealing from veterans alone."
He paused.
"He was using the foundation to move money for powerful clients."
"Who?"
Richard didn't answer.
"Names are dangerous."
Nora stepped closer.
"I don't care."
"You will."
"I want the truth."
Richard studied her.
"You have your mother's courage."
"Don't compare me to her."
"Why?"
"Because I don't know her."
Richard's expression softened.
"You will."
He reached into his coat.
David immediately raised his weapon again.
Richard stopped.
"I'm not drawing a weapon."
He removed a small key.
He held it between two fingers.
"This opens the final vault."
Julian stared.
"Where?"
Richard smiled.
"Montgomery Motors."
Nora's heart sank.
"My father's dealership?"
"All three."
David understood.
"The dealerships aren't really dealerships."
Richard shook his head.
"They are the public face."
"For what?"
"Money laundering."
Nora closed her eyes.
The truth was becoming unbearable.
Richard continued.
"Your father has been preparing to disappear for months."
"Where?"
"Brazil first."
Then Richard looked at Julian.
"Then Switzerland."
Julian stepped forward.
"Why tell us?"
Richard's expression became serious.
"Because Charles betrayed me."
David asked.
"How?"
"He decided he wanted everything."
Richard looked at Nora.
"And that includes you."
Nora's stomach turned.
"What does he want from me?"
"Your inheritance."
"I don't have an inheritance."
Richard laughed softly.
"Your mother left you one."
Nora stared.
"What?"
"Rebecca owned controlling shares in several companies."
"How much?"
"Enough to make your father's empire look small."
Nora couldn't speak.
Julian looked at her.
Richard continued.
"Rebecca transferred everything into a trust."
"Why didn't I know?"
"Because Charles intercepted the documents."
"And you let him?"
Richard looked away.
"I was in prison."
Nora blinked.
"What?"
"Your father framed me for Rebecca's death."
David's expression hardened.
"How long were you incarcerated?"
"Seventeen years."
Nora felt dizzy.
"And you escaped?"
"No."
Richard smiled.
"I was released."
"Then why did everyone say you died?"
"Because Charles paid people to keep me dead."
Nora stared at him.
"Where have you been?"
"Watching."
"Watching me?"
"Protecting you."
She shook her head.
"From what?"
Richard's eyes moved toward the door.
"From him."
A distant siren sounded above them.
David checked his radio.
His expression changed.
"What?"
Price's voice crackled.
"David, we have a situation."
"Go."
"Charles Montgomery has taken a hostage."
Nora froze.
"Who?"
A pause.
Then:
"Your mother."
Nora ran.
David grabbed her arm.
"Wait."
"Let go!"
"You're walking into a trap."
"My mother is up there."
Julian stepped forward.
"I'm going with her."
Richard looked at him.
"No."
Julian glared.
"Why?"
"Because Charles doesn't want Nora."
May you like
Richard's voice dropped.
"He wants you."
