Chapter 9 - Vincent’s Last Lie
“Is that true?”
Vincent looked away.
Amara stood.
“Look at me.”
He did.
“Did you take me from Celeste?”
“Yes.”
The answer was so simple it hurt more.
“Why?”
“Because Adrian was murdered.”
“By Eleanor?”
“No.”
“Crane?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
Vincent’s jaw tightened.
“My father.”
Amara stopped.
“Your father killed his own son?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“The trust.”
Of course.
Always the money.
Adrian had discovered that the Vale fortune included hidden accounts used to bribe government officials and move illegal funds overseas.
He threatened to expose everything.
So his father arranged an accident.
Adrian died.
Celeste survived.
And Vincent took baby Amara because he believed the same people would kill her.
“You stole me from my mother.”
“I saved you.”
“Those are not the same thing.”
Vincent’s eyes filled.
“I know.”
Amara stepped back.
“And then you gave me to strangers.”
“People I trusted.”
“You watched me grow up?”
“Yes.”
“From a distance?”
“Yes.”
“And never once thought I deserved the truth?”
He had no answer.
The plane began descending toward Geneva.
Ruiz looked out the window.
“We have another problem.”
“What?”
“Swiss authorities just denied our federal coordination request.”
Amara frowned.
“Why?”
Ruiz showed her the screen.
An arrest warrant had been issued.
For Amara.
Charges:
International fraud.
Money laundering.
Evidence tampering.
Ruiz stared.
“Lang got here first.”
Vincent shook his head.
“No.”
“What?”
“Lang couldn’t do this alone.”
“Then who?”
Vincent looked toward Geneva below.
“The Vale family bank.”
Amara laughed bitterly.
“I own the trust, remember?”
“That’s why they need you arrested.”
Before anyone could say more, the pilot’s voice came over the intercom.
“Mr. Vale?”
Vincent looked up.
“There’s a message for you.”
“From who?”
The pilot hesitated.
“Victor Crane.”
Everyone went silent.
Vincent whispered:
“Crane is dead.”
Amara stared at him.
“Apparently that doesn’t mean much in your family.”
The pilot continued:
“He says he’ll meet Amara at the bank.”
“And if I don’t go?”
The answer came seconds later.
A photograph appeared on Amara’s phone.
Julian on his knees.
A gun pressed against his head.
Underneath:
COME CLAIM YOUR INHERITANCE.
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