Chapter 17 - The House by the Water
The lake house stood beneath gray afternoon skies.
Marcus arrived with police only minutes after Warren.
The front door was open.
Mud covered the entryway.
Warren had already gone inside.
Marcus wanted to enter with the tactical team.
The commander refused.
For once, Marcus listened.
Police searched room by room.
Then a gunshot echoed from the library.
Marcus moved instinctively.
Officers blocked him.
“Stay back.”
Another sound followed.
Breaking glass.
Then silence.
Officers entered.
Warren was gone.
A rear window stood open.
The fireplace safe had been forced apart.
But one hidden compartment remained closed.
Marcus used Julian's key.
Inside was a small wooden box.
No money.
No shares.
No will.
Only a recording device.
Marcus pressed play.
His father's voice filled the library.
“If you're hearing this, then someone has probably decided paper is more valuable than truth.”
Marcus sat down.
Police continued searching the property.
The recording had been made nine days before his father's death.
“I built Thorne Global with ambition.”
“I nearly destroyed my family with the same thing.”
Marcus closed his eyes.
His father described Warren's resentment.
Victoria's hunger for control.
Julian's insecurity.
Marcus's pride.
Then he spoke about Khloe.
“Khloe does not need this company.”
“That is why I trust her with its future.”
Marcus looked down.
The recording continued.
“If Marcus becomes a tyrant, oppose him.”
“If Victoria manipulates you, expose her.”
“If Julian earns another chance, give it carefully.”
“And if Warren comes for the company, understand that the company is not the thing worth saving.”
Marcus felt tears in his eyes.
“The family is.”
A police officer suddenly shouted outside.
Warren had been spotted near the boathouse.
Marcus ran before anyone could stop him.
Warren stood at the edge of the dock.
A pistol was in his hand.
The certified Bellweather document was tucked beneath his jacket.
“Don't.”
Warren turned.
“You really are your father's son.”
Marcus stopped ten feet away.
Police approached behind him.
Warren raised the gun.
“Tell them to stay back.”
Marcus did.
“What are you going to do?”
Warren laughed.
“I spent thirty years building a kingdom for another man's children.”
“You were paid millions.”
“Money isn't ownership.”
“So this was always about being important.”
Warren's eyes hardened.
“You know nothing about being invisible.”
Marcus almost smiled.
“My brother would disagree.”
Warren glanced toward the lake.
Police were closing in.
Then he looked at Marcus again.
“Your father ruined my life.”
“No.”
Marcus shook his head.
“You've spent twenty years ruining it yourself.”
Warren raised the pistol.
A shot exploded.
Marcus fell.
Police fired.
Warren stumbled backward.
Then disappeared over the edge of the dock.
Cold water swallowed him.
Officers rushed forward.
Marcus lay on the wooden boards.
Blood stained his shirt.
The bullet had torn across his upper shoulder.
He remained conscious.
His first words were not about Warren.
“Khloe.”
An officer knelt beside him.
“Your wife is safe.”
Marcus closed his eyes.
Across the lake, divers searched the black water.
They found Warren's pistol.
They found his jacket.
May you like
They found the stolen Bellweather document.
But they did not find Warren Sloan.
