Chapter 28 - Kyle’s Last Bargain
The fourth claimant was Kyle.
He had been removed from the blue room under a transfer order signed by a federal judge.
The judge later confirmed that the signature was false.
Kyle entered the signature chamber surrounded by two guards whose identities were also false. They locked the door behind him and disappeared into the corridor.
He held a silver bracelet in one hand.
“Celia’s bracelet,” Nora whispered.
Kyle smiled.
“Lorraine kept it after the grave was reopened.”
“You are not Celia’s heir,” Jonathan said.
“No. But the system does not know that until Nora proves it.”
Kyle placed the bracelet near the fourth scanner.
The countdown accelerated.
SEVEN DAYS became SIX HOURS.
Rachel had changed the transfer date.
Mia stepped toward Kyle.
“What do you want?”
“Immunity.”
“You killed Celia.”
“I was seventeen.”
“You knew she was inside the vehicle.”
His smile weakened.
“Lorraine said the plan required a body.”
“And you obeyed.”
“You understand obedience better than anyone.”
Mia did not react.
Kyle looked at Eva.
“Jonathan ordered me to test Mia’s signature through the SUV application. Rachel ordered me to keep her alive. Evelyn ordered everyone to protect both daughters. Do you know what that made me?”
“A coward with several employers,” Eva said.
Kyle’s eyes hardened.
He revealed the final part of Jonathan’s signature.
Morrow was not the complete name.
The legal signature read Jonathan Mercer Morrow.
Mercer was not his family name. It was a title connecting him to the archive.
If Mia or Eva completed the signature, they would legally recognize Jonathan as the original Mercer controller.
Jonathan stepped toward Kyle.
“You do not understand that clause.”
“I understand that you have spent twenty-six years waiting for one of your daughters to write your name.”
Kyle turned to Mia.
“Give me immunity, and I’ll take you to Rachel.”
“I don’t control the charges.”
“But you control whether Nora authenticates Celia’s bracelet.”
Mia looked at Nora.
Nora removed her locket.
“I will authenticate nothing while you’re holding the original record.”
Kyle’s phone sounded.
A location appeared.
The original Northbridge loading dock.
Kyle slid the phone across the table.
“Rachel will be there at midnight.”
Jonathan suddenly pressed his hand against the glass title plate.
The chamber door locked.
May you like
When the emergency lights activated, Jonathan and Kyle were gone.
Mia and Eva remained trapped inside.
