Chapter 4: The Dead Man's Message
For the first time in his life, Daniel Vance looked genuinely afraid.
The pistol remained pointed toward Elena, but his eyes were fixed on the photograph glowing on his phone.
Richard Vance.
Alive.
Six months after his funeral.
"That's impossible," Daniel whispered.
Victoria watched him carefully.
"What is it?""
Daniel immediately locked his phone.
"Nothing.""
"Daniel, you look like you've seen a ghost.""
He turned toward her, his jaw tightening.
"Give me the flash drive.""
Victoria didn't move.
"Who sent you that photograph?""
"Victoria, don't test me.""
"Was my father involved in whatever happened to Richard?""
Daniel's expression changed.
For a moment, the polished billionaire disappeared, revealing something much uglier beneath the expensive clothes and carefully rehearsed charm.
"Your father," he said slowly, "was a very complicated man.""
Victoria swallowed.
"Was he involved in Richard's death?""
Daniel raised his pistol slightly.
"One more question, and I promise you'll regret it.""
Elena stepped between them.
"Put the gun down, Daniel.""
He laughed.
"Don't use that voice with me.""
"I'm not afraid of you.""
"You should be.""
"I was afraid of you when you were nine years old and had nightmares about being abandoned. I was afraid when you were thirteen and your father locked you in the east wing for breaking his watch. I was afraid every time he threatened to send you away.""
Daniel's face hardened.
"Stop.""
"But I am not afraid of the man you've become.""
He grabbed Elena by the shoulder and shoved her against the cabinet.
The black case fell to the floor.
Victoria lunged for the flash drive.
One of the guards caught her wrist.
"Don't touch her!"" Elena screamed.
Daniel turned.
"Enough!""
A sharp electronic beep interrupted him.
The walkie-talkie on the floor had activated.
A familiar voice filled the small apartment.
"Daniel, if you're hearing this, then you found the case.""
Everyone froze.
It was Richard Vance.
His voice sounded weaker than Victoria remembered from old family recordings, but there was no mistaking it.
"Son, I know what you've done. I know about the laboratory, the insurance policy, and the silk gown.""
Daniel stared at the device.
"Turn that thing off!""
The recording continued.
"You probably think you've inherited everything. The company. The properties.
The accounts. Even the people who spent their lives protecting you.""
A pause.
"But you inherited nothing.""
Daniel's hand trembled.
Richard continued.
"Because the controlling shares of Vance Global were transferred before my death. And the person holding them is the only person you were never supposed to hurt.""
Victoria looked at Elena.
Elena looked equally confused.
Daniel suddenly kicked the walkie-talkie across the room.
The transmission ended with a burst of static.
"Where is he?"" Daniel demanded.
Victoria lifted her chin.
"Perhaps you should ask yourself why your supposedly dead father is sending you messages.""
Daniel grabbed her arm.
"Where did you get that recording?""
"Ask your mother.""
His grip tightened.
Elena winced.
"Let her go.""
Daniel released Victoria and turned toward Elena.
"You have no idea what you've unleashed.""
Elena picked up the photograph.
"I know exactly what I have unleashed.""
Daniel motioned to his guards.
"Take them upstairs. Separate rooms. Nobody leaves this estate.""
The guards moved forward.
Then an explosion of light flashed through the basement window.
A loudspeaker crackled outside.
"Rhode Island State Police! Lower your weapons and step away from the occupants!""
Daniel went completely still.
Victoria stared at him.
"Did you arrange this?""
He looked toward the window.
"No.""
A second announcement followed.
"Daniel Vance, we have a warrant for your arrest.""
Daniel's expression transformed.
He grabbed Victoria, pressed the pistol against her ribs, and dragged her toward the service corridor.
"Everybody backs away!""
The guards hesitated.
"Mr. Vance—"
"NOW!""
Elena lunged toward him.
Daniel struck her across the face with the back of his hand.
She fell against the cabinet.
Victoria screamed.
And in that instant, something inside her finally broke.
She drove her heel down onto Daniel's polished shoe, twisted free, and slammed her elbow into his throat.
The pistol fired.
The bullet shattered the overhead light.
Darkness swallowed the apartment.
Someone shouted.
Footsteps thundered.
A door slammed.
When the emergency lights flickered on, Daniel was gone.
Victoria knelt beside Elena.
"Are you hurt?""
Elena touched her bleeding lip.
"I've had worse.""
Victoria almost laughed.
Then she noticed the black case.
It was still open.
The photograph was missing.
So was the letter.
Only the flash drive remained.
A uniformed officer appeared at the doorway.
"Ma'am, we need you to come with us.""
Victoria looked up.
"Where is Daniel?""
"We're searching the property.""
"And who called you?""
The officer hesitated.
"An anonymous caller reported an attempted poisoning and an armed kidnapping.""
Victoria looked at Elena.
"Samuel?""
Elena shook her head.
"Samuel doesn't have access to the police dispatch system.""
The officer stepped aside.
A woman in a dark navy coat entered the room.
She was in her late fifties, with silver hair pulled into a tight bun.
Victoria recognized her immediately.
Dr. Evelyn Shaw.
The physician who had signed Richard Vance's death certificate.
"Victoria," the doctor said softly.
Victoria stood.
"You said my father died.""
Evelyn looked toward Elena.
Then she lowered her eyes.
"I know.""
"Then why are you here?""
The doctor reached into her handbag and produced a sealed envelope.
"Because Richard Vance asked me to deliver this when Daniel finally discovered the truth.""
Victoria took it.
Her hands shook as she opened the envelope.
Inside was a single photograph.
Richard was sitting in a wheelchair beside a hospital window.
His face was thinner, his hair almost completely white.
But he was alive.
On the back, in his familiar handwriting, were seven words:
*Come to the lighthouse. Bring Elena. Trust nobody.*
Beneath the message was an address.
And a date.
Tomorrow morning.
Victoria looked up.
"Where is he?""
Evelyn's eyes filled with tears.
"He's waiting for you.""
May you like
Then she added something that made Elena grip the edge of the table.
"But he isn't the only person waiting.""
