Chapter 17 - THE TRADE
Pike chose the abandoned Walker textile mill outside the city.
It was the first property purchased with Carver money.
The symbolism was deliberate.
Emma read the note again.
"He wants me alone."
"Not happening."
Gabriel checked his weapon.
"We go in together."
"He will see you coming."
Adrian looked at her.
"Then what do you suggest?"
"He still thinks I am afraid of him."
An hour later, Victoria entered the mill alone carrying the red case.
Pike stepped from behind an old machine.
"Finally."
"You wanted the Carver release."
"I want Emily's signature."
"Then you need her alive."
"Alive is negotiable. Cooperative is better."
Emma heard every word through the microphone hidden in Victoria's collar.
Adrian's face hardened.
Police waited two blocks away for proof Pike was armed and directing the extortion.
Victoria kept him talking.
"Did you order Charles's crash?"
"Charles ordered his own death the moment he decided morality mattered more than survival."
That was enough.
He grabbed Victoria and put a gun against her neck.
"Call them off!"
Adrian stepped from cover.
"Let her go."
"You still save her after what she did to Celeste?"
"I'm not saving her because she deserves it."
Adrian looked at his mother.
"I'm saving her because Noah deserves a family that stops choosing cruelty."
Gabriel hit him from the side.
Victoria dropped.
Pike ran across the catwalk.
They fought above the factory floor.
Pike swung the gun.
Pike slipped over the railing and caught the edge with one hand.
"Help me!"
For one terrible second, he imagined letting go.
Then Celeste's voice returned to him.
Do not let hatred turn you into them.
Adrian grabbed Pike's wrist.
Police pulled the lawyer up and handcuffed him.
As they dragged Pike away, he began laughing.
"You think this fixes your family?"
Adrian looked at him.
May you like
Pike smiled.
"Ask Emma what Celeste put in Noah's name the day before she died."
