Chapter 4 - The Man in the Basement
I had never been so grateful for an old-fashioned fire alarm.
The stranger took one step toward me.
"Give me the folder, Emma."
I tightened my grip on the phone.
"I don't have it."
His smile disappeared.
"Don't make this difficult."
Vincent's voice came through the speaker.
"Emma? Who's there?"
The stranger glanced at my phone.
Then moved closer.
I stepped backward toward the wall.
My father's words echoed in my head.
Never bow your head.
But courage didn't mean being stupid.
I reached behind me.
Found the fire alarm.
And pulled it.
The building erupted in noise.
The stranger cursed.
I ran.
Up the basement stairs.
Through the service hallway.
Toward the front entrance.
Neighbors began opening doors.
Someone shouted.
The stranger disappeared through the rear exit.
I stumbled outside, breathing hard.
Vincent was still on the phone.
"Emma!"
"I'm here."
"Are you hurt?"
"No."
"Stay somewhere public. I'm calling the police."
I almost laughed.
"You're Vincent Morgan. Aren't you supposed to handle things yourself?"
His voice hardened.
"Not when your safety is involved."
Twenty minutes later, police officers arrived.
I described the stranger.
Showed them the toolbox.
And explained the threats.
They took my statement.
Then a black SUV stopped across the street.
Vincent stepped out.
For the first time, he wasn't wearing an expensive overcoat.
Just a dark sweater and gray trousers.
He looked older.
More human.
And deeply worried.
"Emma."
I crossed my arms.
"Don't come closer."
He stopped immediately.
"All right."
"You owe me answers."
"I know."
"Then start talking."
Vincent looked toward the police officers.
"Your father worked with me long before I became wealthy."
I stared.
"What?"
"We met as young men. Thomas was an electrician. I was trying to establish my first construction company."
He smiled sadly.
"He helped me when nobody else believed in me."
My chest tightened.
"Then what happened?"
"My younger brother Richard joined the business. He handled finances while I expanded the company."
Vincent looked away.
"Thomas discovered Richard had been stealing pension money and falsifying safety inspections."
"And you ignored him?"
Vincent's expression filled with shame.
"I accused him of misunderstanding the records."
I stared at him.
"You chose your brother over my father."
"Yes."
The honesty stunned me.
Vincent swallowed.
"And Thomas died before I could apologize."
For a long moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I asked, "What happened during those missing two days?"
Vincent looked directly at me.
"I don't know everything."
"Then tell me what you do know."
He took a breath.
"Your father called me from a private medical facility."
My stomach dropped.
"He was alive?"
Vincent nodded.
"For almost thirty-six hours after the supposed accident."
I felt sick.
"Why didn't anyone tell my mother?"
"Because Richard controlled the facility's security."
A cold silence settled between us.
Then Vincent said something that changed everything.
"Emma, your father didn't fall from that building."
My knees weakened.
Vincent continued.
"He was pushed."
And before I could speak, he added one more horrifying detail.
"The man who pushed him was identified by a witness."
"Who?"
May you like
Vincent's jaw tightened.
"Someone your mother still trusts."
