Chapter 9 - the will’s true condition
Emma’s microphone reconnected the moment Owen opened the hidden wall.
Police entered Room 814 within seconds.
Owen did not resist.
Adrian was placed under federal protection rather than arrest after DNA testing confirmed that he was Owen’s biological son.
The man Adrian believed to be his father had adopted him under Arthur Hale’s instructions. Owen had been forced to remain distant so Elias could use Adrian’s safety to control him.
Adrian remembered nothing about the research facility.
He had been too young when Arthur removed him.
His adoptive father had tried to expose the truth years later, but Elias arranged his death before he could release the files.
For the first time, Owen cooperated fully.
He provided the locations of eleven hidden laboratories and named more than forty doctors, executives, and officials connected to the original program.
He also confirmed that Claire remained alive.
But he did not know where Elias was holding her.
The only person who could reach Elias directly was Daniel.
Federal prosecutors offered Daniel a limited reduction in his financial sentence in exchange for arranging a meeting.
Daniel refused.
Then Vanessa’s testimony was formally entered.
She provided recordings proving that Daniel helped Elias select the false body, alter the crash investigation, and conceal Claire’s survival.
Daniel now faced charges carrying the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison.
Two days later, he requested to speak with Emma.
They met in the same interview room.
Daniel looked older. His carefully controlled appearance had collapsed. His suit was gone, replaced by gray detention clothing.
“I can bring Claire back,” he said.
Emma sat across from him.
“No, you can’t.”
“I have a number.”
“Give it to the police.”
“It will only answer if I call from a specific device.”
“Then give them the device.”
“I want an agreement.”
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“This is not a business negotiation.”
“It
