Chapter 8 - The House Where Everything BeganThe old Calder estate had been abandoned for fifteen years.
It stood on a hill outside the city.
The windows were boarded.
The gardens were dead.
The walls were covered in ivy.
Vincent arrived with Emma, Aaron, and Marcus.
Voss had demanded they come alone.
But Vincent had learned not to obey criminals.
Inside the house, they found photographs.
Vincent's father.
Edward Voss.
Claire.
Sarah.
Daniel.
They had all known each other.
The truth was bigger than any of them imagined.
Voss had started his organization through Vincent's father.
Vincent had inherited part of it.
Claire tried to destroy it.
Sarah helped.
Daniel infiltrated it.
Marcus protected them.
And Vincent had spent years believing everyone had betrayed him.
Voss appeared at the top of the staircase.
“You finally understand.”
Vincent raised his weapon.
“You killed my family.”
“No.”
Voss smiled.
“You did that yourself.”
Vincent's jaw tightened.
“You destroyed Claire.”
“She chose her path.”
“You murdered Sarah.”
“She knew too much.”
Emma stepped forward.
“You killed my mother because she wouldn't give you the evidence.”
Voss smiled.
“Your mother was very brave.”
“Where is my father?”
Voss looked toward the basement.
“Below.”
Emma froze.
Daniel was alive.
Voss had captured him.
Vincent looked at Emma.
She nodded.
They moved downstairs.
Daniel was chained to a chair.
He was badly injured.
Emma ran to him.
“Dad.”
Daniel looked up.
“Emma.”
She cried.
“I thought you left us.”
“I never did.”
Voss entered behind them.
“Touching.”
Vincent raised his weapon.
Voss laughed.
“You won't shoot me.”
“Try me.”
“You've become too soft.”
Vincent glanced at Emma.
“No.”
He looked at the twins' photographs hanging on the wall.
“I finally know what matters.”
Voss fired first.
Chaos erupted.
Emma pulled Daniel behind cover.
Vincent and Marcus returned fire.
Aaron moved toward the staircase.
A second wave of gunmen entered.
The room became a storm of gunfire and shattered wood.
Vincent was hit in the side.
He staggered.
Emma screamed.
“Vincent!”
“I’m fine!”
He was not.
Voss aimed at Emma.
Vincent moved between them.
A shot rang out.
But the bullet never reached Emma.
Marcus stepped into its path.
He collapsed.
“Marcus!”
Vincent caught him.
Marcus smiled faintly.
“Now we're even.”
Vincent shook his head.
“You bastard.”
Marcus laughed weakly.
“You're welcome.”
Voss escaped.
But he left behind the evidence.
The drive.
The recordings.
The names.
Enough to destroy his entire network.
Emma found one final file.
It was labeled CLAIRE.
She opened it.
Claire appeared on screen.
Her face was tired.
But she smiled.
“If you're seeing this, then I failed to tell Vincent the truth.”
Emma cried.
Claire continued.
“Vincent, you always thought strength meant standing alone.”
She paused.
“You're wrong.”
She smiled.
“Your children need you.”
Then she looked directly into the camera.
“And if Emma Brooks is standing beside you, listen to her.”
Emma covered her mouth.
Claire's voice softened.
“She's kind in ways you forgot how to be.”
The recording ended.
Vincent stared at the screen.
Then at Emma.
“She knew.”
Emma nodded.
“She knew everything.”
He took her hand.
“Let's go home.”
May you like
For the first time, the word sounded natural.
Home.
