Chapter 6 - THE VINEYARD
We didn't go to the vineyard.
At least, not the way they expected.
The detective arranged an undercover operation.
Alora remained hidden in a secure hospital wing.
I drove alone.
At 11:30 p.m., I arrived at the abandoned vineyard.
The property had belonged to my father.
Kareen had sold it years ago.
Or so I thought.
The gate opened before I touched it.
I drove inside.
The vineyard was silent.
Then the lights came on.
Kareen stood beneath the old oak tree.
Beside her was a man.
I recognized him.
My family's attorney.
The man who had represented my father.
The man who had prepared my father's will.
“You.”
He smiled.
“You always were observant.”
I stepped out of the car.
“Where's Alora?”
“She isn't here.”
“You threatened my wife.”
“I needed your attention.”
“You murdered my mother.”
Kareen's face twisted.
“She wasn't your mother.”
“You murdered Clara.”
“She was going to destroy everything.”
“You destroyed my life.”
Kareen laughed.
“No, Thane.”
She stepped closer.
“I built your life.”
“You stole it.”
“You had nothing.”
“I had a father.”
“And he was going to abandon you.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“He was going to take you away from me.”
“You weren't entitled to me.”
“I was your mother.”
“No.”
I looked her directly in the eyes.
“You were the woman who raised me.”
She flinched.
The attorney stepped forward.
“Enough emotional theater.”
He handed me a document.
“Sign.”
I glanced at it.
A transfer of all my assets.
“To whom?”
“Hartwell Security Holdings.”
I laughed.
“You expect me to sign this?”
“No.”
He looked toward the trees.
“I expect you to watch your wife die.”
My blood froze.
A screen mounted on the old barn flickered on.
Alora appeared.
She was tied to a chair.
Her eyes were terrified.
I stepped forward.
“Let her go.”
The attorney smiled.
“Sign.”
I picked up the pen.
Then I stopped.
“Something's wrong.”
Kareen frowned.
“What?”
“If you wanted my money, you wouldn't need my signature.”
The attorney's smile disappeared.
“You already have control of my accounts.”
“Yes.”
“You already have the trust documents.”
“Yes.”
“So why do you need me?”
Silence.
I looked at Kareen.
“You don't want my money.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“You want the trust.”
The attorney said nothing.
“And the trust doesn't activate until my child is born.”
Kareen looked at the screen.
“Exactly.”
I felt sick.
“So this entire time…”
“You've finally understood.”
She smiled.
“You don't need to die.”
Her eyes moved toward Alora.
“Only the baby does.”
I lunged toward her.
The detective's team exploded from the trees.
Gunfire shattered the night.
The attorney ran.
Kareen screamed.
Officers tackled her.
I sprinted toward the barn.
But the screen went black.
“Alora!”
I tore through the doors.
She was gone.
Only the chair remained.
And on the floor was a tiny ultrasound photograph.
May you like
On the back, written in red ink:
You should have listened to your mother.
