Chapter 9 - THE TRUTH ABOUT NORA
Nobody moved.
David's face had gone pale.
Price knew exactly where to strike.
He had spent years studying people.
Finding their weaknesses.
Using them.
Nora finally understood why men like him survived.
They didn't need strength.
They needed information.
"Where is my father?" she asked.
Price looked at her.
"Which one?"
The room went silent.
Nora felt her heart pounding.
"My biological father."
Price smiled.
"Now we're getting somewhere."
Julian stepped closer.
"Tell her."
Price pointed the gun toward him.
"Stay where you are."
Nora looked at Henry.
"You know."
Henry nodded.
"You all know."
Eleanor began crying.
Nora walked toward her.
"Mom."
Eleanor looked up.
"I'm sorry."
"Who is my father?"
She couldn't answer.
Henry did.
"His name is Michael Cross."
Nora frowned.
"Cross?"
Richard's face changed.
"Helena."
Henry nodded.
"Her brother."
Nora stared.
The woman from the church.
The woman who said Rebecca was her mother.
"Michael Cross is Helena's brother?"
"Yes."
"What happened to him?"
Henry's expression hardened.
"Your grandfather ordered him killed."
Nora stepped backward.
"Why?"
"Because he knew the Montgomery fortune wasn't yours."
"What does that mean?"
Henry looked at her.
"Michael owned half of it."
Julian stared.
"Half?"
"Before the foundation existed."
Nora shook her head.
"This is insane."
"No."
Henry's voice was quiet.
"This is your family."
Price interrupted.
"We don't have time for family history."
Nora turned toward him.
"You knew."
"Of course."
"You've been watching me."
"Since you were three."
"Why?"
"Because Michael never stopped looking for you."
Nora's voice trembled.
"Where is he?"
Price smiled.
"You'll find out soon."
"Where?"
"At the harbor."
Julian understood.
"The warehouse."
Price nodded.
"Exactly."
Nora stared.
"My father is there?"
"Charles?"
Price laughed.
"Charles is running."
"Then who is at the warehouse?"
Price looked directly at her.
"Your real father."
Everything stopped.
Nora could barely breathe.
"Michael is alive?"
Price nodded.
"And he wants his daughter back."
Eleanor stood.
"No."
Price turned toward her.
"You've lied long enough."
Eleanor shook her head.
"Michael cannot know."
"Why?"
"Because he'll kill Charles."
Price smiled.
"Charles deserves it."
Nora looked at Julian.
"I need to go."
"No."
"He's my father."
"Your biological father."
"That matters."
Julian sighed.
"I know."
David suddenly stepped forward.
"Price."
Price looked at him.
"Let my family go."
Price laughed.
"You don't have a family anymore."
David's expression changed.
"You made one mistake."
Price raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"You told me your weakness."
David's radio crackled.
Price looked toward the sound.
A federal tactical team entered through the rear entrance.
Price spun.
"Impossible."
David smiled.
"You forgot something."
"What?"
"I'm not the only one who knows how to call for backup."
Gunfire erupted.
Price dropped behind a table.
Henry disappeared through a side door.
Richard chased him.
Nora grabbed Julian.
"Go."
They ran.
The harbor warehouse was twenty minutes away.
They arrived to find police vehicles surrounding the building.
A man stood outside.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Gray hair.
His face was older than the photographs.
But Nora knew.
She stepped out of the vehicle.
The man looked at her.
Neither moved.
Then he whispered:
"Nora."
She couldn't breathe.
"Michael?"
He nodded.
"My little girl."
Tears filled his eyes.
Nora walked toward him.
"You know me?"
"I've known your face every day for twenty-three years."
"Why didn't you find me?"
"I tried."
"Why did everyone say you were dead?"
"Because your grandfather wanted me dead."
"Did my mother know you were alive?"
Michael closed his eyes.
"She knew."
"Why didn't she tell me?"
"Because she was trying to protect you."
Nora cried.
"Everybody says they're protecting me."
Michael looked at her.
"Then let me be the first person who doesn't lie."
She stopped.
He continued.
"Your mother didn't kill herself."
Nora froze.
"What?"
Michael's eyes filled with anger.
"She was murdered."
"By who?"
Michael looked toward the warehouse.
"Your grandfather."
Nora whispered.
"Why?"
"Because Rebecca discovered what Henry had done."
"What?"
Michael hesitated.
"Your mother discovered Henry had arranged the death of dozens of veterans who threatened to expose the operation."
Nora covered her mouth.
Michael continued.
"She copied the evidence."
"And?"
"Henry found out."
A voice behind them spoke.
"She never got the chance to release it."
Nora turned.
Charles stood behind her.
Blood covered his shirt.
He looked exhausted.
Broken.
He held a gun.
But he wasn't pointing it at Nora.
He pointed it at Michael.
"Charles," Michael said.
Nora stepped between them.
"No."
Charles lowered the gun.
"I didn't kill Rebecca."
Michael stared at him.
"I know."
Nora looked between them.
"Then who did?"
Charles whispered:
"Henry."
A gunshot came from the warehouse roof.
Charles fell.
Nora screamed.
Julian caught her.
Michael raised his weapon.
David shouted:
"Sniper!"
Everyone dropped.
Another shot.
Then silence.
Nora looked toward Charles.
He was bleeding.
But alive.
He looked at her.
May you like
And whispered:
"Run."
