Chapter 7 - Six Seconds
Confusion spread through the family.
Diane shook her head.
“What are you talking about?”
Samuel did not take his eyes off Owen.
“His name may be Owen Mercer, but he operated under the name Miles Rourke. He is wanted in connection with the Rivergate armored transport robbery.”
“That’s insane,” Beth said.
Owen stood slowly.
“Who is this man?”
Claire positioned herself between Owen and Ava.
Samuel took a badge case from his pocket.
“Samuel Ward. Retired U.S. Marshal, currently assisting an active task force.”
Diane looked from the badge to her son.
“Owen?”
He smiled.
It was the same warm, convincing smile he had used when he arrived.
“Mom, this is a misunderstanding.”
Samuel’s phone vibrated.
He checked the screen.
“The fingerprints on your cup matched evidence recovered from a Rivergate getaway vehicle.”
Owen’s smile disappeared.
Samuel continued.
“They also match an arrest in Nevada under the name Miles Rourke.”
Beth stepped backward.
Diane looked physically unsteady.
“No,” she whispered. “You were working overseas.”
Owen turned toward her.
“I was.”
“Tell him.”
Owen said nothing.
From beyond the fence came the distant sound of approaching sirens.
Owen looked toward the side gate.
Claire noticed the movement.
So did Samuel.
“Don’t run,” he warned.
Owen shifted his weight, but he did not move toward the gate.
Instead, he rolled slightly to his left.
His hand moved toward his right ankle.
Samuel dropped his water bottle.
“Claire, move aside. He’s reaching for something.”
Claire pulled Ava behind her and guided her toward the table.
“Library,” she said.
Ava ran to Beth.
Beth immediately understood that something was wrong. She took Ava’s hand and moved toward the house.
Owen’s fingers disappeared beneath his shorts.
A black handgun emerged from a concealed ankle holster.
Screams filled the backyard.
Samuel moved in front of Diane.
“Put it down.”
Owen rose to one knee and pointed the weapon toward the side gate rather than at a person.
His hand trembled.
“You have no idea what you’re doing.”
“I know exactly who you are, Miles.”
The name destroyed the final part of Owen’s performance.
His shoulders dropped.
His eyes became empty.
Then he looked at Claire.
“You did this.”
“You came here with a weapon,” Claire replied. “You did this.”
“You took Nathan away from me.”
Claire stared at him.
“Nathan chose to leave the company because he discovered what you had done.”
Owen’s expression confirmed it.
Samuel spoke carefully.
“Put the weapon on the ground.”
Owen glanced toward the gate again.
The black SUV waited beyond it.
Its engine roared.
May you like
Someone was ready to help him escape.
Owen turned and ran.
