Chapter 13 - The Brother Who Died
Nathan Blackwood had been dead for seventeen years.
At least that was what Alexander had believed.
The family buried an empty casket.
Now his voice came through Mrs. Bell's phone.
"You always were slow with the important things, Alex."
Alexander gripped the counter.
"Where is Ethan?"
"Safe. Safer than he has been in your house."
"If you touch him-"
"I haven't. Vanessa did plenty of that without me."
Maria heard Alexander's breathing change.
Nathan continued.
"Come alone if you want answers."
Brooks shook her head violently.
Alexander ignored her.
"Why are you alive?"
"Wrong question. Ask why Father needed me dead."
The line disconnected.
Elena sat down hard.
"Julia knew."
Everyone looked at her.
"She found references to N.B. in the old trust records. I thought it meant another shell company."
Their father, Charles Blackwood, had built the empire through ruthless acquisitions and private deals. Nathan had hated him. Alexander had stayed and taken over.
"Martin worked for my father," Alexander said.
Owen nodded. "So did Thomas Price."
Pieces shifted into place.
Nathan had discovered something.
Martin had hidden him.
Julia had found the trail years later.
Police surrounded the old Blackwood boathouse before dawn.
Alexander went in wearing a wire.
Maria hated every second of it.
Inside, Ethan sat on a bench with Mrs. Bell, unharmed but scared.
A tall man stood by the water.
Older than Alexander.
Same eyes.
Nathan.
Alexander stared at him.
"Seventeen years."
Nathan nodded. "I know."
"You let us bury you."
"Father gave me a choice. Disappear or die for real."
Alexander's voice broke. "And Julia?"
Nathan looked toward Ethan.
"Julia found me."
"Did you kill her?"
Nathan's eyes hardened.
"No."
May you like
A floorboard creaked behind Alexander.
Then a silver cane tapped once against the wood.
