Chapter 7 - The Motel Was Empty

Room 27 was open.

The crib was empty.

The bed unmade.

No Jolene.

No Elias.

No Evelyn.

I stood in the center of the room.

Trent arrived behind me.

“We missed them by 6 minutes.”

“Camera.”

“Parking lot system was cut.”

“Phones?”

“Jolene’s left here.”

He held it up.

“Evelyn’s too.”

My hands tightened.

“Vincent.”

“Likely.”

I looked at the baby bottle on the table.

Still warm.

I called Vincent.

No answer.

Again.

Nothing.

Then my phone vibrated.

Video.

Elias crying.

Jolene holding him.

Vincent standing behind them.

Alive.

Smiling.

Text:

BRING THE SUCCESSION AGREEMENT.

I stared.

Trent read over my shoulder.

“He wants the original.”

“Why?”

“To destroy it?”

“No.”

I looked at the clause.

“He wants control.”

Trent frowned.

“How?”

“If the agreement survives and Monica marries me, Elias changes voting rights.”

“Which direction?”

I looked closer.

The child’s trust would hold a blocking share until age 25.

Whoever controlled the child’s trust could stop any merger.

Trent understood.

“Vincent wants guardianship.”

“Yes.”

“Through force?”

“Through death.”

Silence.

He looked at me.

“Yours?”

“Maybe Jolene’s.”

My jaw tightened.

I called Desmond.

“Bring the original agreement.”

“Grant—”

“Now.”

“Where?”

I sent the address Vincent had attached.

Old river terminal.

Desmond went silent.

He knew it.

“What?”

“That terminal belonged to your father.”

“Of course.”

I looked at Trent.

“Federal contacts?”

He nodded.

“Quietly.”

“No local police.”

“Understood.”

I drove.

Desmond arrived 8 minutes later.

Monica with him.

I stared.

“What are you doing here?”

She looked at me.

“I know about Elias.”

“Since when?”

“An hour.”

“Your father told you.”

“Yes.”

“Stay in the car.”

“No.”

I almost laughed.

“Monica.”

She removed her engagement ring.

Held it out.

“I am not here as your fiancée.”

I stared.

“Then why?”

“Because Vincent used my family to build this agreement too.”

She put the ring in her pocket.

“And because I helped start the lie that put Jolene in danger.”

That was honest.

I nodded once.

We entered.

The terminal smelled like rust and river water.

Vincent waited on the upper platform.

Jolene sat in a chair.

Not tied.

Elias in her arms.

Evelyn beside her.

Also free.

That confused me.

Vincent smiled.

“Grant.”

I looked at Jolene.

“Are you hurt?”

“No.”

Elias?

“He’s fine.”

Vincent laughed.

“Always asks the practical question first.”

I looked at him.

“You want the agreement.”

“Yes.”

Desmond held it.

Vincent looked at Monica.

“You came.”

She stared.

“You lied to my father too.”

Vincent smiled.

“Your father lied before I did.”

I stepped forward.

“Enough.”

Vincent looked at me.

“Do you know what Elias is worth?”

My face hardened.

“He is not worth anything.”

“Oh, he is.”

“No.”

I looked at Jolene.

Then him.

“He is my son.”

Vincent smiled.

“That is why.”

Desmond stepped forward.

“What do you want?”

“Trust control.”

“No.”

Vincent looked at him.

“You do not decide anymore.”

Desmond laughed bitterly.

“That makes 2 of us.”

Vincent continued.

“Grant signs guardianship authority to me.”

I stared.

“You are insane.”

“Maybe.”

“Why would I?”

He looked at Jolene.

I understood.

Then she stood.

Vincent frowned.

“I said sit.”

Jolene looked at him.

“No.”

He moved toward her.

Evelyn stepped between them.

Vincent stopped.

Not because of her.

Because Trent’s men appeared at both entrances.

Then federal agents.

Vincent looked around.

“You brought police.”

I shook my head.

“No.”

Monica answered:

“I did.”

Everyone looked at her.

She held up her phone.

“My father gave me the federal contact he used 18 years ago.”

Vincent’s face changed.

“Richard.”

Monica nodded.

“He finally chose a side.”

Vincent reached inside his coat.

Desmond moved faster.

He struck Vincent’s arm.

The gun hit the floor.

Agents rushed.

Jolene turned Elias away.

I reached her.

Not Vincent.

Not the gun.

Her.

“Are you okay?”

She nodded.

Then looked at Monica.

“So are we done lying?”

Monica stared at her.

“Yes.”

Jolene’s eyes narrowed.

“That was not for you to answer.”

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Monica almost smiled.

“You’re right.”