Chapter 17 - The Final NightJonathan came to the estate before dawn.
He came alone.
At least, that was what the cameras showed.
Richard had prepared the mansion.
Police surrounded the property.
Sarah and the children were moved to a secure room.
But Jonathan knew the house better than anyone.
He entered through a forgotten underground passage.
The alarms failed.
The lights died.
Then a voice echoed through the mansion.
“Richard.”
Richard stepped into the hallway.
Jonathan stood beneath the chandelier.
Older.
Frailer.
But unmistakably alive.
“You ruined everything,” Richard said.
Jonathan shook his head.
“You did.”
Then he revealed the final truth.
He had never intended to kill Sarah.
He needed her alive because she knew where the original evidence was.
But Eleanor had panicked.
Thomas had interfered.
And everything spiraled beyond control.
Jonathan reached inside his coat.
Police shouted.
Richard moved.
A gunshot exploded.
Jonathan fell.
For one second, nobody moved.
Then officers rushed forward.
The weapon had been dropped.
Jonathan was alive.
Barely.
As they carried him away, he looked at Richard.
“You think this ends with me?”
Richard stared.
May you like
Jonathan smiled.
“It doesn't.”
