Chapter 14 - The Christmas LodgeThe lodge stood deep in the woods.
Snow covered the roof.
No lights were visible.
Ethan entered first.
The journal remained hidden beneath his coat.
Hannah followed with Emma and Lily.
Daniel stayed behind them.
They found Margaret tied to a chair.
Victor stood beside the fireplace.
He smiled.
“You came.”
Ethan stepped forward.
“Let her go.”
Victor looked at the journal.
“Give me the book.”
Ethan held it up.
“You wanted the evidence.”
Victor nodded.
“And you brought it.”
Ethan threw the journal onto the floor.
Victor approached.
He opened it.
Then he laughed.
“Still hiding pages.”
Ethan smiled.
“You never learned.”
Victor looked up.
“What?”
“The journal is a copy.”
Victor froze.
Daniel stepped into the light.
“The original is already with federal investigators.”
Victor stared at him.
“You.”
Daniel nodded.
Victor's face hardened.
“You were supposed to disappear.”
Daniel replied.
“You should have checked.”
Agents surrounded the lodge.
Victor looked toward the windows.
There was nowhere to run.
He grabbed Margaret.
Ethan stepped forward.
“Let her go.”
Victor pointed toward Lily.
“You take one more step.”
Lily cried.
Hannah held her.
Daniel moved slowly.
“Victor.”
Victor looked at him.
“You ruined everything.”
Daniel shook his head.
“No.”
He pointed toward Lily.
“You did.”
Victor suddenly released Margaret.
Agents moved in.
He was arrested.
For the first time, nobody ran.
The investigation was over.
But Victor laughed as he was taken away.
“You still don't know the whole truth.”
Ethan stared.
“What truth?”
Victor looked at Lily.
“She isn't the only heir.”
The room fell silent.
Daniel's expression changed.
Emma looked terrified.
Hannah whispered.
“What does that mean?”
Victor smiled.
May you like
“There is another child.”
Then he disappeared through the doorway.
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