Chapter 5 - BRENDA'S LAST SECRETBrenda held no weapon.
She didn't need one.
She smiled.
“I wondered when you'd finally understand.”
Vincent raised his gun.
“You're underestimating me.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“I'm underestimating how long grief can blind a man.”
Maeve stepped forward.
“You killed Sarah.”
Brenda's smile vanished.
“I didn't.”
“Then who?”
Brenda looked at Vincent.
“Your father.”
Vincent's expression changed.
“He's been dead for twelve years.”
“Dead men can still leave orders.”
She explained.
Vincent's father had discovered Sarah and Evan were preparing to expose the criminal organization.
He ordered Brenda to stop them.
But Brenda had gone further.
She had manipulated medical records.
She had sabotaged financial accounts.
She had created fake evidence.
She had made Vincent suspicious of everyone.
Because the more isolated he became, the easier he was to control.
“Why Leo?”
Brenda looked at the boy.
“Because he saw his father die.”
Vincent froze.
“Evan was Leo's father?”
“Yes.”
Maeve stared.
“That's impossible.”
“Ask Sarah.”
Vincent looked at her.
“She knew.”
A photograph appeared.
Sarah holding a newborn Leo.
A man beside her.
Evan.
Vincent stared.
His entire understanding of the family collapsed.
Leo wasn't his nephew.
He was his sister's biological son.
But Evan was not Vincent's enemy.
He had been trying to save them.
And Vincent had spent six months believing he died.
“Where is Evan?”
Brenda smiled.
“Closer than you think.”
The greenhouse doors opened.
A man entered.
Older.
Thinner.
Scar across his cheek.
Vincent's breath stopped.
“Evan.”
Leo ran.
“Daddy!”
The word echoed through the greenhouse.
Vincent froze.
Evan fell to his knees.
Leo threw his arms around him.
It was the first word the child had spoken in six months.
Vincent's eyes filled.
His sister's son had spoken.
For his father.
Then Evan looked at Vincent.
“I didn't want to come back until I knew you were ready.”
“Ready for what?”
“To hear who killed Sarah.”
Vincent stared.
“Who?”
Evan looked at Brenda.
“No.”
Brenda smiled.
Evan looked toward the door.
“Thomas.”
Thomas had not fled to Switzerland.
He had returned to Chicago.
He had been watching the estate from within.
The man in the black sedan.
The man who had installed the camera.
The man who had manipulated Daniel.
Thomas.
And he wasn't alone.
He had allies inside Caldwell Freight.
Vincent's entire board.
They had planned to take control of the company once Vincent was emotionally destroyed.
Sarah had discovered them.
Evan had discovered them.
Maeve had discovered enough to become dangerous.
Brenda had spent years hiding the evidence.
Vincent looked at Maeve.
“You knew.”
“I knew pieces.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I needed proof.”
He nodded slowly.
For the first time, he understood.
She hadn't betrayed him.
She had protected the truth.
That night, Vincent went to Leo's room.
The boy sat on the floor beside Evan.
Maeve sat nearby.
Vincent approached.
“Leo.”
The boy looked up.
Vincent crouched.
“I'm sorry.”
Leo stared at him.
Vincent swallowed.
“I thought I was protecting you.”
He touched the boy's shoulder.
“I wasn't.”
Leo reached out.
He touched Vincent's cheek.
Then said,
“Uncle.”
Vincent closed his eyes.
He had not heard that voice in six months.
May you like
He pulled Leo into his arms.
And cried.
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