CHAPTER 8 — The Double Betrayal
Jonathan slowly raised his hands.
Richard grinned.
"I told you."
"You can never beat money."
The FBI commander stepped forward.
"In the name of the federal government..."
He paused.
Then suddenly turned.
His pistol pointed directly at Richard.
"...Richard Kane, you're under arrest."
Everything happened at once.
The other "agents" surrounding Richard tore off hidden shoulder patches.
They weren't corrupt officers.
They were undercover investigators.
The fake arrest...
Had been Jonathan's final trap.
Richard screamed in rage.
"You set me up!"
Jonathan smiled.
"You always believed everyone had a price."
"You never imagined some people still had principles."
Richard grabbed Emma, pressing a knife against her throat.
"Nobody moves!"
Sophia stepped forward.
"Take me."
"Let her go."
Richard laughed.
"I don't need one heir."
"I need none."
He dragged Emma toward the rooftop helipad.
A helicopter descended through the storm.
Its blades roared against the rain.
Richard forced Emma inside.
Just as the helicopter lifted off...
Jonathan threw Sophia a small metal case.
"The evidence!"
Sophia caught it.
"What about you?"
Jonathan looked toward the helicopter.
"If Richard escapes..."
"He'll never stop hunting you."
Without another word...
Jonathan jumped onto the helicopter's landing skid.
The aircraft disappeared into the storm.
Sophia watched helplessly as lightning swallowed it whole.
Seconds later...
A massive explosion lit up the night sky.
The helicopter vanished into the ocean below.
No wreckage.
No survivors.
Only silence.
May you like
The world believed Jonathan Ashford had died...
For the second time.
