Chapter 14 - The Final Bargain
"Keep your hands where we can see them, Mr. Sterling," the lead operative commanded, his assault rifle lowered in a low-ready stance.
Julian pulled Emma behind him once more, Maria pressing tight against his side. "If Marcus sent you, tell him he'll have to shoot through me. There are fifty state troopers at the front gates. You won't make the docks."
The front passenger door of the armored vehicle opened, and a woman stepped out into the rain under a wide black umbrella. She wore a tailored charcoal trench coat, her hair pulled back into an austere, severe bun. She pulled down her spectacles and looked at Julian.
"Mr. Kane didn't send us, Julian," the woman said in a crisp, sharp accent. "The Board of Directors of the Kane Maritime Syndicate did."
Julian paused, his brow furrowing. "Evelyn Reed."
"Marcus Kane has been legally dead for twelve years," Evelyn said, stepping forward while the guards kept their distance. "His return was an unsanctioned attempt to reclaim seized assets and settle a personal vendetta that cost our syndicate hundreds of millions of dollars. We don't want the child. We want Marcus stopped before he drags our entire international operation into a murder investigation."
"He's at the north pier," Julian said flatly, his jaw tightening. "Slip forty-two."
Evelyn looked down at Emma, her cold eyes softening for a brief, fleeting moment. "Clara was a good woman, Julian. She never wanted any part of her father's empire. She left a trust fund under a sealed name in London. It belongs to Emma now. Uncontested."
She signaled to her driver, who handed her a heavy waterproof briefcase. Evelyn set it gently on the hood of the vehicle.
"Inside are the clearance papers for your family. Marcus will be dealt with by dawn, permanently. Victoria was intercepted at the southern checkpoint ten minutes ago; she is in federal custody."
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Julian looked at the briefcase, then at Evelyn. "What do you want in exchange?"
"The diary," Evelyn said, pointing to the charred book in Julian’s hand. "Give us Clara’s journal so we can bury Marcus's claims forever. Do that, and you and the girl walk away with clean names."
