CHAPTER 7 — The Bullet That Changed Everything
Time seemed to stop.
Dozens of sniper lasers danced across Daniel Carter's chest as he stood between the gunmen and his daughter.
Lily screamed.
"Dad, no!"
Michael Ross smiled.
"You're still willing to die for her after everything?"
Daniel never looked away from Lily.
"I missed six birthdays... six Christmas mornings... I'm not missing her future."
Michael slowly raised his hand.
"Fire."
A deafening explosion echoed through the vault.
Emma threw herself over Lily.
Robert ducked behind a steel cabinet.
When the smoke cleared...
Daniel was still standing.
The bulletproof glass walls surrounding the vault had suddenly dropped from the ceiling.
Bank security officers flooded the room.
"Federal agents! Drop your weapons!"
Michael's smile vanished.
"You set me up..."
Daniel nodded.
"I disappeared six years ago because I knew you had people inside every police department."
He pulled a small transmitter from his pocket.
"The moment you walked into this vault... every word you said was broadcast live to the FBI."
Michael turned toward the exit.
Too late.
Agents surrounded every doorway.
As officers handcuffed Michael, he looked directly at Daniel and laughed.
"You really think you won?"
Daniel frowned.
Michael's grin grew wider.
"I wasn't the one who betrayed you."
Everyone froze.
Michael slowly nodded toward Emma.
"No... it wasn't her either."
He pointed at Robert.
"It was him."
The entire room fell silent.
Robert lowered his head.
"I never wanted Lily involved..."
Daniel stared at the man he had trusted for nearly twenty years.
"Robert..."
The old lawyer closed his eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Then, before anyone could stop him...
Robert pulled a hidden flash drive from his coat...
May you like
...and swallowed it.
The only copy of the evidence was gone.
