Chapter 13 - THE BLACKWOOD NAME
The next morning, every major newspaper carried photographs of Emma and Garrison.
Rumors spread.
Some called him a billionaire.
Others called him a former government investigator.
Some claimed he controlled private companies across several states.
None of the stories agreed.
Emma confronted him.
“Who are you?”
Garrison sat quietly.
“I told you.”
“No.”
She placed the newspapers on the table.
“You told me nothing.”
He looked at the headlines.
“Most of those stories are wrong.”
“Then tell me what's right.”
Garrison was silent for a long time.
Finally, he said:
“My family lost something six years ago.”
“What?”
“Control.”
Emma frowned.
“Control of what?”
Garrison looked at her.
“I can't tell you yet.”
“Why?”
“Because if I tell you too soon, you'll become a target.”
Emma stood.
“I already am.”
He looked down.
“That is what I'm afraid of.”
Emma's anger softened.
“What happened to you?”
Garrison looked toward the window.
“My father trusted the wrong people.”
Emma waited.
“And I trusted the wrong person.”
“Julian's father?”
Garrison nodded.
Emma sat again.
“Was he responsible for what happened to me?”
Garrison did not answer.
That silence told her enough to know the story was not finished.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“What happened?”
A pause.
Garrison stood.
“Where?”
He listened.
Then:
“Don't touch anything.”
He ended the call.
Emma stood.
“What is it?”
Garrison looked at her.
“The original clinic has been reopened.”
Emma froze.
“It was closed years ago.”
“I know.”
“Why reopen it now?”
May you like
Garrison's eyes hardened.
“Because someone wants us to find something.”
