Chapter 20 - The Voice in the Static
Forty-eight hours later, the storm had passed. The Sterling empire dominated every global headline as federal indictments rolled across the news channels. Arthur Sterling was in federal custody without bail, and Vivian sat in a holding cell facing decades for conspiracy and child endangerment.
The farmhouse was bathed in the warm, quiet glow of early morning. Rachel was outside on the porch, sipping coffee and watching over the perimeter with relaxed vigilance. In the living room, Oliver—now knowing his true name, though still choosing to respond to Oliver—sat cross-legged on the rug, carefully stacking blocks with baby Grace, who giggled and knocked them down.
Lena stood by the kitchen island, staring at the titanium flash drive plugged into her laptop. The final file had just finished decrypting.
It was an audio file dated just three days ago—two full days *after* the masquerade ball where the harp had crashed.
Lena’s heart pounded against her ribs. Her finger shook as she hovered the mouse over the play button. She clicked.
The speakers crackled with static, the sound of ocean waves crashing against a rocky shore, followed by the heavy breathing of a man fighting for air.
Then came the voice—ragged, hoarse, but unmistakably Daniel's:
"Lena... if you found the drive, they know where the farmhouse is. Don't trust the marshals. Don't trust the lawyers. The man who ordered the hit at the masquerade wasn't my father. Turn around, Lena. He's already inside the house."
May you like
A cold gust of air swept across the back of Lena’s neck.
Behind her, the click of a gun being cocked echoed through the kitchen.
