CHAPTER 7 – The Lawyer's Deadly Confession
The pistol pointed directly at Daniel.
No one moved.
James Holloway's calm smile was more terrifying than the weapon in his hand.
"You finally know the truth," he said softly.
"For thirty-two years, I've waited for this moment."
Emily's voice trembled.
"You murdered our father..."
James shook his head.
"No."
"Richard Whitmore died exactly as the doctors reported."
The siblings exchanged confused glances.
"But..." James continued, "I made sure he died before exposing me."
Silence.
"I slowly poisoned his medication."
Gasps filled the room.
"It looked like natural heart failure."
Michael lunged toward James.
"You monster!"
BANG!
The bullet struck the wall inches from Michael's head.
"One more step," James warned, "and your family reunion ends here."
Eleanor suddenly stepped between James and the siblings.
"You'll never find Sophie."
James laughed.
"Oh, Eleanor..."
"I found her years ago."
The room froze.
"What?" Daniel whispered.
James reached into his briefcase and tossed a folder onto the table.
Inside were surveillance photos.
A young woman working in a small coastal bookstore.
A little girl helping elderly neighbors.
A graduation ceremony.
A wedding she never attended.
For thirty years...
Someone had been watching her.
James smiled coldly.
"Her name isn't Sophie anymore."
"She calls herself..."
Sarah Brooks.
Emily covered her mouth.
"She's been alive this whole time..."
James nodded.
"And tonight..."
"I'm finally going to finish what I started thirty-two years ago."
Suddenly—
A loud alarm echoed through the hidden bunker.
Every monitor on the wall flickered to life.
An unfamiliar face appeared on every screen.
A woman in her early thirties.
Calm.
Confident.
Her eyes looked exactly like Richard Whitmore's.
She spoke only six words.
"James..."
May you like
"I've been hunting you too."
James' confident smile disappeared for the first time.
