Chapter 5: Eight Years of Lies
The first crash came from the front entrance.
Walt had barely managed to shove a metal workbench against the door before someone struck it from outside.
Noah screamed.
I dropped to my knees and pulled him against my chest.
“It's okay, baby. I've got you.””
Hammer grabbed a heavy metal bar from the workbench.
“Daniel, take them through the back.””
Daniel shook his head.
“They'll be watching the alley.””
“Then we'll make another way.””
Margaret stood frozen beside the door.
Her perfect composure had disappeared.
“Daniel, what do we do?””
He looked at her.
For the first time, I saw genuine anger in his expression.
“You were supposed to keep them away.””
“I tried!””
“You told them about the garage!””
Margaret's face went white.
I stared at her.
“You did what?””
She turned toward me.
“Emily, please.””
I stood.
“Did you tell them about this place?””
“I didn't know they would come tonight.””
Hammer slammed the metal bar against the workbench.
“Enough! We can discuss your family problems after we get out alive.””
Walt pointed toward a narrow door behind the office.
“There's an old storage tunnel. It connects to the neighboring warehouse.””
Hammer nodded.
“Take Noah.””
I immediately shook my head.
“No. I'm not leaving him.””
Daniel approached us.
“Emily, listen to me. The people outside aren't ordinary criminals. They're connected to a man named Victor Hale.””
The name meant nothing to me.
But Hammer reacted.
“Victor?””
Daniel nodded.
“The same Victor who financed the club's first garage.””
Walt swore under his breath.
“You told me he was out of the picture.””
“He was. Until he discovered what Dad left behind.””
I looked at Daniel.
“What did your father leave behind?””
Daniel glanced at the red box.
“Evidence.””
“Evidence of what?””
“Fraud. Bribery. Illegal transfers.
Victor used our father's business to move money through several companies. When Dad discovered it, he threatened to expose him.””
Margaret shook her head.
“That's not the whole story.””
Daniel turned toward her.
“Not now, Mom.””
“No. You don't get to tell it your way anymore.””
She looked at me.
“Your husband wasn't the innocent man you think he was.””
I stared at her.
“What are you talking about?””
Daniel's jaw tightened.
Margaret continued.
“Before the accident, Daniel was working with Victor. He helped him move money. He signed documents. He knew exactly what was happening.””
Daniel looked away.
My stomach twisted.
“Is that true?””
He nodded.
“I made mistakes.””
“Mistakes?””
“I was young. I thought I could control the situation.””
“You had a pregnant wife.””
“I know.””
“You were going to be a father!””
“I know, Emily!””
His voice echoed through the garage.
Noah flinched.
Daniel immediately lowered his tone.
“I'm sorry.””
I stared at him.
Eight years ago, I had spent nights crying into his pillow.
I had wondered whether he had been frightened when the accident happened.
Whether he had thought about me.
Whether he had known his son would be born.
Now I was discovering that he had been alive while I mourned him.
“Why?”” I whispered.
Daniel looked at me.
“Because Victor threatened to kill you.””
“That doesn't explain why you never contacted me.””
“He had people watching you.””
“For eight years?””
Daniel didn't answer.
Hammer moved closer.
“Tell her about the accident.””
Daniel's expression hardened.
“Not here.””
“Now.””
A second crash shook the entrance.
Walt shouted from the back room.
“Jackson! We need to move!””
Hammer ignored him.
“Tell her.””
Daniel looked at me.
“The night of the crash, Victor's men followed me. They rammed my motorcycle off the road.””
My hand flew to my mouth.
“I survived. Barely. One of the men who found me worked for Victor. He helped me disappear.””
“Who?””
Daniel looked toward Margaret.
“My mother.””
I turned.
Margaret was crying now.
“I didn't know what else to do. Victor said he'd kill you and the baby if Daniel resurfaced.””
“So you let me believe he was dead?””
She nodded.
“I thought it was the only way.””
“You let me raise Noah alone!””
“I sent money.””
The words stopped me.
“What?””
Margaret looked down.
“I arranged for money to be transferred to you.””
“I never received anything.””
Daniel's face changed.
“What money?””
Margaret swallowed.
“Monthly payments. For eight years.””
I felt something cold settle in my stomach.
“How much?””
“Five thousand dollars.””
I stared at her.
Five thousand dollars a month.
I had worked two jobs after Daniel's supposed death.
I had cleaned offices at night while Noah slept at my mother's house.
I had skipped meals so I could pay for his school supplies.
I had sold my wedding ring to cover a medical bill.
And this woman had supposedly been sending enough money to make all of that unnecessary.
“Where did it go?””
Margaret looked at Daniel.
He turned toward her.
“Mom?””
She began shaking her head.
“I thought you knew.””
“Where did the money go?”” I repeated.
Nobody answered.
Then Walt appeared at the back door.
“Jackson, we found a way out. Now!””
Hammer grabbed the red box.
“Move!””
We hurried through the narrow passage.
Noah held my hand so tightly his fingers hurt.
Behind us, the garage door finally gave way.
Men shouted.
Footsteps thundered across the concrete.
Hammer shoved open the rear exit.
Cold night air hit my face.
A narrow alley stretched between two warehouses.
Ray stood beside a pickup truck with its engine running.
“Get in!””
Hammer helped Noah climb into the back seat.
I followed.
Daniel reached for the door.
Before he could enter, a gunshot cracked through the alley.
The truck's rear window shattered.
I screamed.
Daniel stumbled backward.
“Daniel!””
He grabbed his side.
Blood spread across his jacket.
Hammer jumped out.
“Get him!””
Walt pulled Daniel toward the truck.
Another shot hit the metal door.
Ray accelerated before everyone was fully seated.
We sped away.
I pressed my hands against Daniel's wound.
“Stay with me!””
He grimaced.
“I'll be fine.””
“Don't lie to me!””
Noah was crying beside me.
“Daddy, don't die again!””
Daniel reached for his son's hand.
“I won't, buddy.””
Hammer sat opposite us, holding the red box against his chest.
His eyes were fixed on Daniel.
“Eight years,” he said quietly.
Daniel looked at him.
“I know.””
“You let me think I failed you.””
Daniel swallowed.
“I never stopped thinking about you.””
Hammer looked away.
Then he asked the question nobody had wanted to ask.
“Did you know Dad's death wasn't an accident?””
Daniel closed his eyes.
“Yes.””
The truck continued racing through the darkness.
Hammer's voice dropped.
“Then tell me who killed him.””
Daniel opened his eyes.
“Victor Hale.””
Margaret began sobbing.
But Daniel wasn't finished.
He looked directly at me.
“And there's something else. Victor didn't just want the evidence in that red box.””
May you like
He glanced at Noah.
“He wants the boy.””
