Chapter 17 - The Morning After
The morning sun broke through the coastal fog, casting a pale, golden light over Boston Harbor.
I sat on the bumper of an emergency medical response vehicle parked on the wharf, a paramedic wrapping clean white gauze around my fractured ribs. The cold harbor breeze smelled clean—the stench of gunsmoke and cordite had finally washed away.
Across the tarmac, two federal transport vans were pulling out, escorted by half a dozen state police cruisers with their sirens blaring.
Inside the first van sat Vanessa and Julian. The press was already having a field day; news helicopters hovered overhead, broadcast vans lining the streets, reporters screaming into cameras about the greatest corporate treason scandal in American history. The assets of Aegis Red had been frozen across eight countries. Mercer Global had been placed into federal receivership under my sole trusteeship.
"She’s going to be fine, Daniel," a quiet, strained voice said behind me.
I turned around.
Owen Price sat in a wheelchair pushed by a federal agent. His abdomen was heavily bandaged, an IV bag hooked to the back of the chair. He looked ten years older, his face hollow with shame and relief.
"The bullet missed my vital organs," Owen murmured, staring down at his lap. "The feds took my statement. Julian’s men in Switzerland were arrested an hour ago. Chloe is safe. She’s on a flight home."
I looked at the man who had delivered my daughter, who had signed Claire's false autopsy, and who had nearly poisoned Lily in the launch.
"You're going to prison, Owen," I said, my voice quiet, devoid of anger now. Just tired truth.
"I know," Owen choked back a sob, tears pooling in his eyes. "I deserve it. I was a coward. But Daniel... thank you. Thank you for saving my little girl while I failed to protect yours."
I didn't answer. I just watched as the federal agent wheeled him toward the awaiting transport. Some sins could be understood, but they could never be forgiven.
Marcus walked over, holding two paper cups of black coffee. He handed one to me, leaning against the ambulance fender.
"The Attorney General signed off on the full exoneration of your records," Marcus said, taking a sip. "The media is running the story about your recovery operation. By tomorrow, Lily’s trust will be completely legally untouchable. Sixty percent of the Mercer empire belongs to her outright."
I looked at the coffee cup, the steam rising into the crisp morning air. "Claire knew, didn't she? That's why she left it all to Lily."
"Claire knew that as long as you and Lily held each other, nobody could tear this family apart," Marcus smiled faintly, clapping a hand on my uninjured shoulder. "What will you do now, commander?"
I looked toward the private clinic across the street, where the morning sun reflected off the second-story windows.
May you like
"I’m going to take my daughter home," I said.
***
