Chapter 5 - The Betrayal Came From Inside Matthew’s Own House
The coordinates led them to an abandoned lighthouse off the Massachusetts coast.
Inside the lighthouse, they found Thomas Hayes.
Alive.
Older.
Exhausted.
But alive.
Penny froze in the doorway.
Her father looked at her.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then he whispered her name.
“Penny.”
She ran to him.
The years collapsed.
She hit his chest with both hands.
“You were alive.”
“I know.”
“You were alive!”
“I know.”
“You let Mom suffer.”
“I know.”
“You let me think you were dead.”
“I know.”
She stepped back.
“Then why?”
Thomas couldn't answer.
Matthew stepped forward.
“Because he was protecting you.”
Penny turned.
“I didn't ask you.”
Thomas looked at Matthew.
“Daniel?”
Matthew's face hardened.
“You knew he was alive?”
Thomas nodded.
“Six years ago.”
“Where is he?”
“I don't know.”
“You're lying.”
“I'm not.”
Thomas sighed.
“Daniel was supposed to disappear permanently.”
“Why?”
“Because the Crown Ledger had names powerful enough to destroy governments.”
“Then why keep it?”
“To expose the people who ordered the killings.”
Penny looked at her father.
“Who ordered them?”
Thomas looked toward Matthew.
“Someone in your organization.”
Matthew's eyes darkened.
“Who?”
Thomas shook his head.
“I never learned the final name.”
“Then what good are you?”
Penny stepped in.
“Matthew.”
He stopped.
Thomas looked at Penny.
“Your mother deserves the truth.”
“Then tell me.”
Thomas reached for an old leather notebook.
“Your grandfather founded the original network.”
Penny stared.
“What?”
“The Hayes family wasn't innocent.”
“I don't understand.”
“Your grandfather built the shipping routes. He created the Crown.”
Matthew said nothing.
Thomas continued.
“I tried to destroy it.”
“But you became part of it.”
“Yes.”
“And Matthew's father?”
“A rival.”
Thomas looked at Matthew.
“Your father was trying to take control.”
Matthew's jaw tightened.
“That's not what the official story says.”
“The official story is written by whoever survives.”
Thomas opened the notebook.
Inside were dozens of names.
One name had been circled.
Richard Cole.
Matthew stared.
“My father.”
Thomas nodded.
“He wasn't the mastermind.”
“Who was?”
Thomas looked at Penny.
“Your grandfather's partner.”
“Who?”
Before Thomas could answer, a gunshot shattered the lighthouse window.
Matthew reacted instantly.
“Down!”
Men stormed the lower entrance.
Liam fired.
Thomas grabbed Penny.
“There's another exit.”
“Where?”
“Behind the lantern room.”
They ran.
Then Matthew stopped.
Someone stepped from the darkness.
Victor Crane.
He pointed a gun.
“Enough.”
Matthew raised his weapon.
“Victor.”
“Put it down.”
“No.”
Victor smiled.
“You still think you're in control.”
Then another figure appeared behind Victor.
Liam.
Matthew turned.
Liam was holding a gun.
Penny's heart stopped.
“Liam?”
The giant man looked devastated.
“I'm sorry.”
Matthew stared at him.
“You betrayed me.”
“I had no choice.”
Victor laughed.
“You always had a choice.”
Penny stepped closer to Matthew.
“Why would he do this?”
Victor answered.
“Because his daughter is alive.”
Liam's face cracked.
Matthew looked at him.
“You told me she died.”
“I thought she did.”
“Who has her?”
Victor smiled.
“The people with the ledger.”
Penny realized the truth.
Everyone was being controlled by someone else.
Victor lowered his gun.
“Give us the third piece.”
Matthew looked at Penny.
She felt the locket around her neck.
Victor knew.
“Where is it?”
Penny said nothing.
Victor moved closer.
“I know about the locket.”
Matthew shifted.
“Don't touch her.”
“Why?”
Matthew's voice became deadly.
“Because I said so.”
Victor laughed.
“That's your weakness.”
“What?”
“She is.”
Matthew didn't blink.
“She isn't my weakness.”
Victor smiled.
“She will be.”
A gunshot fired.
Thomas collapsed.
Penny screamed.
Matthew lunged.
Liam tackled Victor.
The lighthouse exploded into chaos.
Penny grabbed her father.
“Dad!”
Thomas gasped.
“Don't… trust…”
“Who?”
“Cole.”
Penny froze.
Matthew looked at Thomas.
“Me?”
Thomas's eyes closed.
Then he whispered one final word.
“Not… Matthew.”
Penny understood.
Thomas wasn't warning her against Matthew.
He was trying to tell her something else.
Cole.
Not Matthew Cole.
Someone named Cole.
A blood relative.
A hidden connection.
Then Thomas went still.
Penny cried.
Matthew pulled her against him.
She shook.
“I lost him again.”
Matthew held her.
“I know.”
“She finally found me.”
He pressed his cheek against her hair.
“I know.”
Penny looked up.
“You're not leaving me.”
“No.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
The lighthouse burned behind them.
Victor escaped.
Liam disappeared into the night.
And on the floor beside Thomas's body lay a torn photograph.
Penny picked it up.
May you like
The back contained four words.
THE THIRD PIECE IS BLOOD.
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