Chapter 16 - THE EXCHANGE
Grant chose the old Mercer Children’s Hospital.
He demanded Julia come alone with the blue ledger.
“He wants me.”
“He may kill you.”
“He may go after my children if I don’t show.”
Grant stood in the abandoned lobby beneath a broken chandelier.
“You brought it?”
Julia held up the bag.
“First tell me why.”
Grant laughed bitterly.
“You already know.”
“I know pieces.”
He looked at the empty hospital corridor.
“My mother said the family had to survive.”
“So you stole a newborn.”
“I was twenty-eight.”
“You were old enough to know what a mother is.”
Grant flinched.
“She said Thomas would destroy everything.”
“He was a baby.”
“The trust gave Daniel control through him.”
“There it is.”
Julia’s voice sharpened.
“Money.”
Grant’s face twisted.
“You think Daniel was different?”
“Yes.”
“He benefited too.”
“And then he tried to expose it.”
Grant looked away.
Julia stepped closer.
“Did you kill him?”
Grant whispered, “No.”
“Did you know Pike was going after him?”
Silence.
“Grant.”
“Yes.”
Julia closed her eyes.
“You knew.”
“I told Rebecca to stop him.”
“You all keep using that word.”
Grant looked at her.
“I didn’t know Pike would cut the brakes.”
Julia’s voice broke.
“But when Daniel died, you buried the truth.”
“Yes.”
Grant began crying.
Julia felt no relief.
Then Grant pulled a gun.
Police shouted from outside.
Julia froze.
Grant pointed the weapon at his own chest.
“No.”
He looked at her.
“I can’t go to prison.”
Julia said, “Thomas lived eleven years in a lie because you were afraid of consequences.”
Grant’s hand shook.
“Don’t make fear your last decision too.”
For one second, he lowered the gun.
Then a shot cracked from the dark hallway behind him.
May you like
Grant dropped.
And someone ran.
