Chapter 16 - The River Bargain
Claire tried to run for the door.
Ethan stopped her.
"That's what he wants."
"He has my child."
"And we'll get her back."
The text directed them to an old concrete boat ramp below Pump Station Four.
Vega built a plan fast.
Claire would carry a fake copy of the ledger.
Ethan would go with her.
Lily refused to stay behind.
"Thomas killed my mother. Wade tried to erase half this town. I'm done waiting in safe rooms."
At the river, Thomas stood beside a truck with Mia locked inside.
Water roared twenty feet away.
"Ledger," he called.
Claire held it up.
"Let her go first."
Thomas laughed.
"You still think you get to negotiate."
A second vehicle rolled from behind the pump station.
Walter Mercer stepped out.
No television smile now.
"Give me the book," he said.
Ethan stared.
"Wade."
Mercer's eyes flicked to him.
"Your father always said you were sentimental."
"My father was a coward."
Thomas's jaw tightened.
That distraction gave Mia time.
She pulled something from her rabbit's belly.
The tiny spare key.
Claire saw it.
So did Lily.
Mia unlocked the truck door and ran.
Thomas grabbed for her.
Ethan hit him from the side.
Vega's officers surged from cover.
Mercer fired once into the air and ran toward the flood-control tunnel.
Lily chased him before anyone could stop her.
Inside the tunnel, Mercer turned.
"Your mother should have minded her own business."
Lily froze.
He smiled.
"So should you."
May you like
Then he pulled a lever beside the wall.
A steel gate began dropping between them.
