Chapter 17 - Charles Chooses
Charles Mercer stepped from the unfinished hallway holding a pistol with both hands.
His face was swollen from the hospital attack.
"Move away from Owen."
Everett laughed.
"You always did like playing father."
Daniel's hands shook.
"Charles, don't."
Charles kept the gun steady.
"I spent twenty-eight years paying for one cowardly decision. I'm done paying."
Everett's smile vanished.
"You think Nora will forgive you?"
"No."
"Daniel?"
Charles looked at Daniel for half a second.
"No."
That honesty hurt more than another lie.
Sirens sounded far away.
Everett grabbed Owen by the collar and dragged him backward.
"You called police."
Daniel shook his head.
"Mara did."
Everett cursed.
Owen slammed his heel down on Everett's foot and threw his body sideways.
The gun in Everett's hand fired into the ceiling.
Charles fired once.
The bullet hit concrete beside Everett.
Detectives stormed the floor.
Everything happened at once.
Everett went down under three officers.
Owen crawled free.
Daniel dropped to his knees beside him.
"Nora?" Owen gasped.
"Alive. Lucy's alive."
Owen closed his eyes.
Then he grabbed Daniel's shirt.
"The money isn't the worst part."
Daniel froze.
May you like
"What is?"
"The babies whose guardianships already went through."
