Chapter 17 - The Old Garage
Raymond chose the abandoned Vale Auto garage outside town.
Police wanted Ethan nowhere near it.
Raymond insisted on seeing him through a live video call before revealing Lily's exact location.
So Ethan sat inside an armored surveillance van with Mara and Detective Cole while officers surrounded the area.
The phone rang.
Raymond appeared on screen.
Lily sat behind him with her wrists taped together, furious more than frightened.
"Ethan! Don't give him anything!"
Raymond grabbed the phone away.
"Smart kid. Wrong advice."
Ethan held up a photocopy of the ledger.
"Let her go."
Raymond smiled. "Bring it inside."
Amanda stepped into frame.
Her face was bruised.
"Don't," she whispered.
Raymond shoved her aside.
Detective Cole signaled his team.
The garage lights suddenly went out.
Raymond cursed.
Lily screamed.
Officers breached from the rear.
Ethan watched the dark phone screen shake as people shouted.
Then a gunshot cracked through the call.
Mara grabbed Ethan before he could stand.
"Stay here."
Seconds felt like hours.
Finally Cole's radio came alive.
"Suspect down. Child secure. Adult female secure."
Ethan stopped breathing.
Then Lily's voice came through the radio.
"Tell Ethan I'm okay!"
He broke down.
Raymond survived the gunshot to his shoulder and was arrested.
Amanda was taken back into custody.
As paramedics checked Lily, she looked at her mother across the lot.
Amanda whispered, "I'm sorry."
Lily did not run to her.
She walked to Ethan instead.
May you like
Then she said the sentence that ended whatever illusion Amanda still had.
"He's my real brother."
