Chapter 16 - THE ESCAPE
Thomas did not run far.
Police found his abandoned transport van two miles away.
Khloe did not stop him this time.
"Just come back."
"I will."
Rain had started by the time Marcus reached the cemetery with Avery.
Charles Hale's grave stood under an oak tree.
"What is he looking for?"
Avery swept his flashlight across the ground.
"The original confession."
Thomas stood under the trees.
Bleeding from one wrist where the transport cuff had cut him.
"Drop it."
Thomas laughed.
"Do you know how many people built their careers on Charles Hale's money?"
Marcus stepped forward.
"You killed him."
"I solved a problem."
Marcus's hands curled.
Avery said, "Don't."
Thomas looked at Marcus.
"Your father was going to destroy everything."
"He was going to expose you."
"Same thing."
Thomas did too.
Not at Marcus.
Marcus reacted before Avery could.
"Thomas!"
Marcus said, "You don't get to choose the easy door."
Thomas's face twisted.
"You think prison is justice?"
"No."
"Living long enough to hear every victim tell the truth is."
Thomas looked at him.
Avery moved.
Thomas was tackled into the wet grass.
"You still don't have the confession."
Marcus looked at the open box.
"What confession?"
Thomas smiled through mud.
"Ask Isabella."
At the station, Isabella closed her eyes when Marcus mentioned it.
"Dad recorded himself."
"Saying what?"
"Everything he knew."
"Where is it?"
"I moved it after he died."
"To where?"
She whispered, "The hospital."
"Which room?"
"714."
Khloe's room.
Marcus called Avery.
May you like
Then he called Khloe.
No answer.
