Chapter 8 - THE TRAP
We announced the registry had been destroyed.
Then leaked something else.
A claim that my father had hidden a second archive containing proprietary Helix research worth billions.
There was no second archive.
Victoria believed there was.
She contacted me within six hours.
“Your father always was sentimental.”
“You murdered him.”
Silence.
Then:
“I corrected a liability.”
My hands shook.
Julian stood beside me.
I kept my voice steady.
“I have the archive.”
“Where?”
“Newark.”
We returned to the burned warehouse.
Full circle.
Victoria arrived with six men.
We had federal surveillance outside.
But she anticipated it.
Signal jammer.
Alternate entrance.
Armed security.
The operation collapsed in thirty seconds.
Victoria took me.
Julian could have fired.
He didn't.
Because I was between them.
Victoria smiled.
“Your weakness is remarkable.”
Julian lowered his weapon.
“No.”
His eyes found mine.
“She's my choice.”
Something inside me broke open.
Victoria dragged me underground.
There was an old laboratory beneath the warehouse.
The real Helix archive.
She wanted my father's key.
I gave her part of it.
Not all.
She entered her authorization.
Exactly what we needed.
The registry unlocked.
And automatically copied to multiple independent investigators.
Victoria realized too late.
Her face became monstrous.
“You stupid girl.”
“No.”
I looked at the thousands of names appearing across the screen.
“Just someone's daughter.”
She struck me.
Julian entered.
Alone.
“Let her go.”
Victoria aimed at him.
“My son.”
“No.”
He stepped closer.
“I stopped being your son the day you decided my lungs were acceptable collateral.”
She fired.
The shot struck Julian high in the shoulder.
He fell.
I screamed.
Victoria turned toward me.
That mistake cost her.
Knox entered with federal agents.
Victoria was arrested.
I crawled to Julian.
Blood soaked his shirt.
His breathing deteriorated.
“Stay with me.”
His eyes found mine.
“You sound bossy.”
“I am bossy.”
“Noted.”
“Julian.”
“Maya.”
“What?”
He smiled faintly.
“I knew you'd smell it.”
May you like
Then he lost consciousness.
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