Chapter 13 - Pier 17
The harbor wind cut through Victor’s coat as Dana pushed his wheelchair across the loading yard.
Pier 17 belonged to Hale Meridian.
Grant had used it for private cargo transfers that never reached company records.
Simon knew the place well.
Victor heard Rosie crying before he saw anyone.
The sound came from an old refrigerated warehouse.
Inside, Simon stood beside a black sedan.
Eli and Nora were tied together on the floor.
Rosie was strapped into a car seat.
Rebecca was not there.
Simon held a gun.
“You brought police?”
Victor looked around. “Do you see police?”
Dana and the agents were hidden outside.
Simon smiled. “You always thought money made you smart.”
“No. Money made people afraid to tell me when I was stupid.”
Eli looked at Victor.
That almost made him smile.
Simon pointed at Rosie.
“She was worth two million dollars to a couple who couldn’t adopt legally.”
Victor’s stomach turned.
“You were selling your own niece.”
“I was solving a problem.”
“You sound like Grant.”
“Grant learned from me.”
Simon raised the gun.
“Where’s the card?”
“Safe.”
“Give it to me.”
“No.”
Simon walked behind Nora and pressed the gun against her shoulder.
Eli lunged despite the rope.
Victor lifted both hands.
“All right.”
He reached inside his coat.
Simon watched the movement.
Victor pulled out a flash drive.
“Everything is here.”
Simon stepped forward.
Victor dropped it.
“Oops.”
Simon’s eyes flicked down.
Eli moved.
He rolled hard into Simon’s knees.
The gun fired.
Nora screamed.
Victor threw himself from the wheelchair.
His hands hit concrete.
Simon kicked Eli away and raised the gun again.
Victor’s right knee bent beneath him.
Pain exploded up his spine.
He pushed.
For the first time in eleven months, Victor Hale stood.
Only for a second.
Only halfway.
But it was enough to slam his shoulder into Simon’s chest.
The gun skidded across the floor.
Dana burst through the door.
Simon ran toward the harbor exit.
A truck engine roared outside.
Victor heard Eli shout.
“Rosie!”
May you like
The car seat was gone.
Someone else had taken the baby.
