Chapter 4 - The Secret in the Burned House
Adrien did not want Maya investigating his mother's death.
He made that clear.
“No.”
Maya crossed her arms.
“You didn't even hear my argument.”
“I don't need to.”
“Someone sent me a message mentioning your mother.”
Adrien went still.
“Show me.”
She handed him the phone.
He read it once.
His face became unreadable.
“Delete it.”
“No.”
“Maya.”
“No.”
His voice hardened.
“Delete it.”
She held his gaze.
“Someone is trying to kill your sister.”
“I know.”
“Someone knows about your mother.”
“I know.”
“Then why are you telling me to delete evidence?”
Adrien stepped closer.
“Because the last person who investigated my mother's death disappeared.”
Maya's anger faded.
“Who?”
“My father.”
She blinked.
“I thought your father died years ago.”
“He did.”
“What happened?”
Adrien looked away.
“He went looking for answers.”
“And?”
“He never came back.”
Maya realized what Adrien was saying.
His father had not died naturally.
The official story was a heart attack.
But Adrien had never believed it.
That afternoon, they drove to the old Blackwood residence.
The house had been abandoned since the fire.
Maya expected ruins.
Instead, she found a property surrounded by weeds and blackened stone.
Adrien unlocked the gate.
“You've never been here?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“I was seventeen when my mother died.”
He walked slowly through the burned remains.
Maya noticed the way his shoulders stiffened.
“You loved her.”
“Yes.”
“Tell me about her.”
Adrien stared at the house.
“She was the only person who never feared me.”
“What about your father?”
“He taught me fear.”
They entered the remains of the study.
Charred beams still hung overhead.
Maya examined the floor.
Something caught her attention.
A section of wood looked newer than the rest.
She knelt.
“Help me.”
Adrien moved a beam.
Underneath was a metal box.
Inside were photographs.
Financial ledgers.
A flash drive.
And a handwritten note.
Maya read it aloud.
“If anything happens to me, do not trust the family member who inherits the western accounts.”
Adrien froze.
“The western accounts.”
Maya looked at him.
“Who inherited them?”
“Vivian.”
Silence.
Suddenly, tires screeched outside.
Adrien grabbed Maya's arm.
“Down.”
A bullet shattered the window.
Adrien pulled her behind a wall.
More shots followed.
Maya's hands shook.
“Who are they?”
“I don't know.”
Adrien reached for his phone.
“Damon.”
The call went to voicemail.
His expression changed.
Maya looked at him.
“You think Damon is involved?”
“I think my family has been hiding things from me.”
A vehicle sped away.
Adrien's men chased it.
Meanwhile Maya opened the flash drive on an old laptop.
The files were encrypted, but one folder opened.
Inside were payment records.
Millions of dollars transferred through shell companies.
The same Northstar Medical company appeared again.
But there was something else.
Payments to a law firm.
Maya recognized the name.
Harper & Sloan.
The same firm that had handled the original fire investigation.
Her heart raced.
“That can't be coincidence.”
Adrien looked over.
“What?”
She showed him.
“Your mother’s investigation was paid for by your own company.”
Adrien stared at the documents.
“Who signed the transfer?”
Maya zoomed in.
One signature.
Damon Blackwood.
Adrien said nothing.
Then a message appeared on Maya's phone.
COME ALONE TO THE WATERFRONT.
WE HAVE YOUR FRIEND.
A photograph arrived.
Lily.
Tied to a chair.
Maya's blood ran cold.
“Adrien.”
He saw the image.
His entire face changed.
“Where?”
Maya showed him the location.
Adrien stood.
“We're going.”
Maya grabbed his arm.
“It's a trap.”
“I know.”
“Then why go?”
“Because they have my sister.”
He looked at her.
“And because they have you.”
Maya frowned.
“What?”
Adrien showed her another photo.
It was from the alley.
Maya dragging Lily toward the road.
The photograph had been taken from above.
Someone had been watching them that entire time.
Adrien's voice dropped.
“They knew you before you knew us.”
The warehouse was empty when they arrived.
Too empty.
Maya knew immediately.
“No Lily.”
Adrien nodded.
“Wait.”
A voice echoed from the darkness.
“You always were predictable, Adrien.”
Damon stepped into the light.
His hands were empty.
His smile was gone.
Adrien stared at him.
“You.”
Damon laughed softly.
“You really never understood the family.”
“You poisoned Lily.”
“I didn't.”
Maya stepped forward.
“Then who did?”
Damon looked at her.
“You want the truth?”
Adrien raised his weapon.
Damon didn't flinch.
“The woman you think is your enemy is not the mastermind.”
Maya froze.
“Vivian?”
Damon nodded.
“She isn't innocent.”
“Then who?”
Damon smiled sadly.
“Your father.”
Adrien's face went blank.
“My father is dead.”
“No.”
Damon stepped closer.
“He's alive.”
Maya felt the entire room shift.
Adrien stared at him.
“Where?”
Damon opened his mouth.
A gunshot cracked through the warehouse.
Damon jerked backward.
Adrien caught him before he hit the ground.
Maya dropped to her knees.
Blood spread across Damon's shirt.
“Who shot him?”
Adrien looked toward the shadows.
“Get down!”
More gunfire erupted.
When the shooting stopped, Damon was unconscious.
And on the floor beside him was a single object.
A silver Blackwood ring.
Maya picked it up.
There was a tiny engraving inside.
A date.
09/14/2011.
The date Adrien's mother died.
May you like
Adrien stared at it.
And for the first time since Maya had met him, fear appeared in his eyes.
