Chapter 15 - The Blackout
Mason shoved August and Elsie behind the heavy desk.
"Stay down."
Another crash.
Then a gunshot.
August covered Elsie's ears.
Mason disappeared through the doorway.
Victoria remained near the fireplace, breathing hard.
August watched her.
"You knew this was coming."
"No."
"Then why aren't you surprised?"
"Because Marcus wasn't the only person involved."
Nora whispered, "Who?"
Victoria hesitated.
"Your brother."
August went still.
"My brother is dead."
"Is he?"
The room tilted.
Peter Caldwell had supposedly died twenty years earlier in a private plane crash over Canada.
August grabbed Victoria's arm.
"What are you saying?"
She pulled free. "Peter built the shell network with Richard. When Henry found out, Peter disappeared before he could be charged."
"You told me he died."
"Henry did."
Tall.
Gray hair.
August recognized him despite two decades.
Peter.
"Hello, brother."
Elsie pressed into August's side.
Peter raised a gun.
Victoria whispered, "You weren't supposed to come here."
Peter smiled.
"You weren't supposed to lose control."
August's grief became rage.
"Caroline?"
Peter's eyes moved to Elsie.
"She was stubborn. Like you."
August stepped in front of the child.
"Did you kill her?"
"No."
"Richard?"
Peter smiled faintly.
"Richard killed himself the moment he threatened the wrong people."
Victoria whispered, "Peter, stop."
He looked at her.
"You poisoned Marcus because he was going to run. You sent the pills to Caroline because she found the second will."
August stared at Victoria.
Peter continued.
"And now you're going to blame me for all of it."
Mason's voice came from the hallway.
"Drop the gun."
Peter turned.
Mason fired once.
Peter fell.
Victoria screamed.
August pulled Elsie under the desk.
Then he heard Peter laugh weakly from the floor.
"You still don't understand, August."
"Caroline didn't die twelve days ago."
August froze.
May you like
Peter smiled.
"She disappeared again."
