Chapter 9 - THE BETRAYAL
Rourke disappeared the following afternoon.
His phone went dead.
His apartment was empty.
His vehicle was found near a train station.
Voss didn't send men after him.
He contacted his attorney.
Then federal investigators.
The evidence was turned over.
The warehouse fire.
The altered hospital records.
The missing financial director.
The investigation widened.
Adrian Mercer was located in a coastal town in South Carolina.
He had been living under an assumed name.
Investigators arrested him on charges connected to financial fraud and conspiracy.
Rourke was found two days later.
He surrendered through counsel.
During questioning, he admitted that Mercer had ordered the warehouse sabotage.
He also acknowledged visiting Daniel's hospital room.
But he denied intentionally causing Daniel's death.
The investigation continued.
Cora watched the news with Voss.
He sat beside her.
Quiet.
"Do you feel better?" she asked.
He shook his head.
"No."
She nodded.
"Me neither."
Then he reached toward her hand.
Stopped.
"May I?"
Cora smiled faintly.
"Yes."
May you like
He held her hand.
And for a moment, neither needed to speak.
