Chapter 13 - The Warehouse

The warehouse smelled like rust and gasoline.

I walked in alone at 8:17 p.m.

At least, that's what Julian was supposed to believe.

A transmitter sat under my collar. Agents were outside. Maya's instruction was simple: "Make him talk."

Richard Cole was tied to a chair under a hanging work light.

Julian stood behind him with a gun.

"You came."

"You knew I would."

His shirt was wrinkled, his eyes red, his confidence gone frantic.

"No father?"

"You said alone."

"And suddenly you follow instructions."

I stopped fifteen feet away.

"Let Richard go."

Richard tried to speak. Julian struck him with the gun. "Quiet."

"You sent the shooter?"

Julian smiled. "Straight to business. That's my Elena."

"Answer me."

"No."

"Richard?"

Cole spat blood onto the concrete. "I didn't either."

"Then who did?"

Julian laughed. "See? That's the funny part. Everybody thought they were running the game. Richard thought he was using me. Your father thought he was watching me. You thought you were collecting evidence."

"And you?"

"I knew where all the cameras were."

My pulse kicked.

"The shooter, Julian."

"Selene hired him."

I almost laughed. "Try harder."

"She was building an alibi at the police station."

Doubt cracked through me. Selene knew what I wore and where we were. She had sent us there.

Julian saw the realization.

"There she is. Smart Elena. Always five minutes late."

He lifted the gun toward me.

"Tell my father you knew who he was for three years," I said.

Julian blinked.

I needed him talking.

"Tell him why you stayed married to me."

His mouth twisted. "Because I deserved the Arden money."

"Say it clearly."

"I stayed because you were the key. Happy?"

"And the forged signatures?"

"Insurance."

"The brakes?"

He smiled.

I knew before he spoke.

"Also insurance."

Julian stepped closer.

"You know what I can't figure out? Why your father let you marry me."

I looked past him at Richard.

Richard's eyes were fixed on something behind me.

His face changed.

I turned.

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Selene stood in the open warehouse door.

And she was holding a gun.