Chapter 18 - THE TERMINAL TRAPMarcus heard Jonathan through Khloe’s concealed microphone.
He ignored Detective Brooks and left the command vehicle.
Jonathan had planted explosives beneath the warehouse floor.
A pressure sensor would detonate them if police entered.
Khloe remained calm.
“You called me here for the vault.”
“I called you here because you belong with me.”
“I have never belonged to you.”
Jonathan’s expression tightened.
“I gave you life.”
“My mother gave me a life.”
“You destroyed it.”
He pointed toward a scanner beside the vault.
“Open the door.”
Khloe placed her hand against the device.
The lock turned green.
Jonathan pulled the vault open.
Instead of bearer bonds, he found empty shelves.
Edward had moved the assets years earlier.
Only one envelope remained.
Jonathan tore it open.
Inside was a letter from Khloe’s mother.
Jonathan,
One day our daughter will learn what you are.
When she does, she will not fear you.
She will survive you.
Jonathan crushed the letter.
“You planned this.”
Khloe looked toward the shadows.
“No.”
“She did.”
Marcus stepped into the warehouse.
Jonathan raised the trigger.
“You were warned.”
Marcus stopped.
“I came alone.”
“You never do anything alone.”
Jonathan pressed the button halfway.
Khloe moved between them.
“Then kill me.”
Marcus’s face changed.
Jonathan stared at his daughter.
“You do not believe I will.”
“You killed Mom.”
“You poisoned me.”
“You helped Isabella attack me.”
“You threatened my child.”
“I believe you are capable of anything except love.”
The words struck deeper than a weapon.
Jonathan’s grip loosened.
Marcus saw the opportunity.
He threw a metal pipe across the floor.
The sound triggered Jonathan’s reflex.
He turned.
Khloe struck the device from his hand.
Marcus tackled him.
The trigger slid beneath a loading platform.
A red light began flashing.
Jonathan laughed.
“You activated it.”
Police evacuation alarms sounded.
Brooks ordered everyone out.
Marcus pulled Khloe toward the entrance.
She stopped.
Jonathan was trapped beneath a fallen beam.
He reached toward her.
“Khloe.”
For one second, she saw the father she had waited for throughout childhood.
Then she saw her mother’s wedding ring in his hand.
Marcus shouted.
“We have seconds.”
Khloe stepped backward.
“You made your choice years ago.”
She left Jonathan beneath the beam.
Marcus and Khloe crossed the terminal doors as the explosion ripped through the warehouse.
The ground rose beneath them.
Marcus covered Khloe with his body.
May you like
Fire swallowed the building.
And Jonathan Hayes disappeared inside it.
