Chapter 16 - The Final Threat
Emily’s temporary hospital suite was placed under police protection.
Mara refused to leave.
Thomas began investigating Daniel’s final message.
The phone call had been placed to a prepaid number.
Unregistered.
Inactive minutes later.
Emily tried not to panic.
Daniel could no longer reach her.
But someone outside might.
Lieutenant Harris increased security.
Then investigators discovered Daniel’s connection to a man named Victor Kane.
Victor operated illegal gambling rooms and private lending networks.
Daniel owed him nearly fourteen million dollars.
If Daniel went to prison, Victor would never recover the money.
Unless Emily died.
Under the original estate arrangement, Daniel’s inherited assets could have been seized to repay the debt.
Emily suddenly realized the murder plan might involve more than one person.
Thomas warned her.
“Victor has a reason to finish this.”
Emily looked toward Mara.
“What do we do?”
“We change the estate immediately.”
Emily contacted her attorneys.
Within hours, Daniel was removed from every trust.
Every company.
Every insurance benefit.
If Emily died, Daniel would receive nothing.
Neither would his creditors.
The entire estate would pass to Lily through a protected trust.
Emily publicly announced the changes through her attorneys.
Thomas smiled when the news appeared online.
“You just made yourself worthless to them.”
Emily touched her belly.
“Financially.”
That evening, police arrested Victor Kane.
Records recovered from Daniel’s office connected Victor to the gambling debts.
Messages between them included disturbing references to Emily’s pregnancy.
One message changed everything.
TIME IS RUNNING OUT BEFORE THE CHILD ARRIVES.
Daniel had replied.
I KNOW.
The conspiracy was undeniable.
Victor negotiated almost immediately.
Facing decades in prison, he agreed to cooperate.
He admitted Daniel had repeatedly discussed killing Emily.
Victor claimed he refused to participate directly.
But he had pressured Daniel for payment.
The prosecution now had another witness.
Weeks passed.
Emily moved to a private residence while the case developed.
Then one morning, she received a handwritten letter.
No return address.
Mara wanted police to open it.
Emily insisted.
Inside was a single page.
Daniel’s handwriting.
You think you won.
You only survived because Mara happened to be there.
One day she won’t be.
Emily stared at the words.
Then she laughed.
Mara looked confused.
“What?”
Emily tore the letter in half.
“He still thinks I’m the woman I was before.”
She tore it again.
“He thinks you made me strong.”
Mara smiled faintly.
“Didn’t I?”
“You reminded me.”
Emily dropped the pieces into the trash.
“But the strength was already mine.”
Three months later, Daniel entered court for his final hearing.
He looked toward Emily.
She looked back.
There was no fear left between them.
May you like
Only truth.
And this time, Daniel had nowhere to hide from it.
