Chapter 18 - The Shot
I hit the concrete beside Daniel.
"Daniel!"
He grabbed his shoulder.
Blood spread through his shirt, but he was conscious.
"I'm okay," he gasped. "I'm okay."
Tactical officers stormed the loading bay.
Robert tried to run.
Evelyn, still tied to the chair, hooked one foot around his ankle.
He crashed to the floor.
Police were on him in seconds.
The gun skidded across the concrete.
I pressed both hands against Daniel's wound while he clenched his teeth.
"Stay with me."
"I wasn't planning a nap."
The joke was terrible.
I laughed anyway, then cried so hard I could barely see.
Paramedics rushed in.
As they loaded Daniel onto a stretcher, he caught my wrist.
"Go with me."
"I'm not leaving."
Behind us, officers cut Evelyn free.
She stood unsteadily.
For a second our eyes met.
"You saved him," I said.
She looked at the blood on my hands.
"He is my son."
"And I'm his wife. You should have remembered that years ago."
She flinched.
At the hospital, the bullet was removed without major nerve damage. Daniel would recover.
Ortiz arrived at three in the morning with more news.
Robert had been charged with kidnapping, assault, unlawful imprisonment, fraud-related offenses, and weapons charges. Victor was cooperating. Marcus was negotiating a plea.
"And Evelyn?" I asked.
"She's being charged too. Financial crimes, identity theft, conspiracy. And your assault is on camera."
Daniel looked at me. "The kitchen camera?"
I nodded.
Ortiz gave a tired smile. "There's one more thing. Federal agents froze Bennett Holdings' disputed assets. Tomorrow morning, the board will remove Robert."
Daniel stared at the ceiling.
"So it's over."
Ortiz shook her head.
"Not exactly. Someone has to decide whether the company fights the ownership claims or settles with the original partners' families."
"Who?"
She handed him a document.
Daniel read it.
Then looked at me.
"Apparently, me."
But before he could say another word, Evelyn appeared in the doorway with two officers.
May you like
She had asked to speak to me.
Alone.
