Chapter 8 - The Ghost on the Wire
The red light on the antique receiver at the end of the hall pulsed persistently. Marcus dragged Victoria toward the console, keeping his sidearm leveled at the shattered entryway. Every instinct warned him not to pick it up, but the truth was unraveling faster than he could contain it.
He snatched the heavy receiver and pressed it to his ear. ""Speak.""
""You always were too quick to draw a weapon, Marcus,"" a voice purred. It was identical to Clarissa’s, smooth and melodic, yet dripping with calculated malice. ""Did you like my little performance in the courtyard? I must admit, wearing my sister's face has its advantages.""
""Where is Clarissa?"" Marcus growled, his voice vibrating with suppressed rage. ""What did you do to her two years ago?""
A low laugh echoed through the line. ""Still in denial? Clarissa died on that marble patio, Marcus. I watched her take her last breath while you were conveniently delayed at your board meeting in Geneva. But she wasn't as foolish as you thought. She hid the keys to the Vance continental accounts in that red journal.""
""You won't be able to decrypt them,"" Marcus said coldly. ""The cypher changes every forty-eight hours.""
""That was true when Clarissa held the master key,"" Vivienne replied silkily. ""But Julian was kind enough to secure a sample of Leo's DNA this morning before Victoria botched the stair incident. A simple blood match unlocks the trust bypass. The boy's inheritance is now mine.""
Marcus felt the hair on his arms stand up. ""What did Julian do to my son?""
""Check his sleeve, Marcus. Why do you think he fell?"" Vivienne sighed theatrically. ""Victoria didn't push him to kill him. She pushed him to cover the micro-needle puncture on his shoulder. Julian needed the sample fresh.""
Marcus turned his head, his eyes boring into Victoria. She looked down, unable to meet his gaze.
""You traded my son's blood for money,"" Marcus whispered.
""I had to!"" Victoria cried out. ""They threatened to release the recordings! They were going to ruin me!""
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On the line, Vivienne’s voice turned chillingly abrupt. ""I’m at the private airfield, Marcus. You have thirty minutes before my jet takes off for Zurich. Come alone, or I’ll authorize Julian to detonate the charge planted in your basement panic room.""
The line clicked and went silent.
