Chapter 7: The Gunshot in the## Chapter 7: The Gunshot in the Darkness
"DADDY!""
Ava's scream cut through the darkness.
Marcus lunged toward Darkness
"DADDY!""
Ava's scream cut through the darkness.
Marcus lunged toward the sound.
Another gunshot exploded.
"GET the sound.
Another gunshot exploded.
"GET DOWN!"" Detective Brooks shouted.
Marcus hit the wooden floor, his shoulder striking a chair. Somewhere nearby DOWN!"" Detective Brooks shouted.
Marcus hit the wooden floor, his shoulder striking a chair. Somewhere nearby, glass shattered. He heard boots pounding across the boards, followed by the scrape of something heavy being dragged.
"Ava!"" he shouted., glass shattered. He heard boots pounding across the boards, followed by the scrape of something heavy being dragged.
"Ava!"" he shouted.
"Baby, answer me!""
"I'm here, Daddy!""
Her voice came from the other side of the room.
Marcus craw "Baby, answer me!""
"I'm here, Daddy!""
Her voice came from the other side of the room.
Marcus crawled toward it, reaching blindly through the darkness.
His fingers touched a small shoe.
Then a tiny hand grabbedled toward it, reaching blindly through the darkness.
His fingers touched a small shoe.
Then a tiny hand grabbed his.
"Daddy!""
He pulled Ava against his chest.
"Are you hurt?""
She shook her head, sobbing.
"Uncle Daniel said you weren't his.
"Daddy!""
He pulled Ava against his chest.
"Are you hurt?""
She shook her head, sobbing.
"Uncle Daniel said you weren't coming.""
"I'm here. I've got you.""
"Where's Mommy?""
"She's safe, sweetheart.""
A flashlight coming.""
"I'm here. I've got you.""
"Where's Mommy?""
"She's safe, sweetheart.""
A flashlight beam swept across the room.
Detective Brooks appeared near the doorway.
"Marcus! Get behind the table!""
He beam swept across the room.
Detective Brooks appeared near the doorway.
"Marcus! Get behind the table!""
He covered Ava's head and moved toward the heavy wooden furniture.
Two officers rushed inside.
"Suspect moving toward covered Ava's head and moved toward the heavy wooden furniture.
Two officers rushed inside.
"Suspect moving toward the rear entrance!""
Brooks turned.
"Don't let him reach the water!""
Marcus heard footsteps pounding outside.
Then silence.
the rear entrance!""
Brooks turned.
"Don't let him reach the water!""
Marcus heard footsteps pounding outside.
Then silence.
A moment later, one of the officers shouted, "He's gone!""
Brooks cursed under her breath.
She switched on anotherA moment later, one of the officers shouted, "He's gone!""
Brooks cursed under her breath.
She switched on another flashlight.
"Everyone all right?""
Marcus nodded.
Then he looked at the floor.
Near the doorway lay a handgun.
Bes flashlight.
"Everyone all right?""
Marcus nodded.
Then he looked at the floor.
Near the doorway lay a handgun.
Beside it was a dark stain.
"Detective.""
Brooks followed his gaze.
She approached carefully.
A spentide it was a dark stain.
"Detective.""
Brooks followed his gaze.
She approached carefully.
A spent cartridge lay beside the weapon.
But there was no blood.
No body.
No Daniel.
Marcus looked toward cartridge lay beside the weapon.
But there was no blood.
No body.
No Daniel.
Marcus looked toward the open rear entrance.
"He escaped.""
Brooks nodded.
"Apparently.""
Ava clung to Marcus's neck.
"Uncle Daniel was angry the open rear entrance.
"He escaped.""
Brooks nodded.
"Apparently.""
Ava clung to Marcus's neck.
"Uncle Daniel was angry.""
Marcus rubbed her back.
"What happened, sweetheart?""
"He told me Mommy was bad. He said Mommy wanted to take.""
Marcus rubbed her back.
"What happened, sweetheart?""
"He told me Mommy was bad. He said Mommy wanted to take me away from you.""
"Did you believe him?""
Ava shook her head.
"He showed me a picture.""
"What picture?""
"Mommy holding a paper. He said she signed me away from you.""
"Did you believe him?""
Ava shook her head.
"He showed me a picture.""
"What picture?""
"Mommy holding a paper. He said she signed something.""
Marcus exchanged a look with Brooks.
"What paper?""
Ava pointed toward the table.
A small photograph lay beneath a broken glass.
Marcus picked it up.
It showed Claire sitting in a hospital room, apparently something.""
Marcus exchanged a look with Brooks.
"What paper?""
Ava pointed toward the table.
A small photograph lay beneath a broken glass.
Marcus picked it up.
It showed Claire sitting in a hospital room, apparently signing a document.
But something about the picture bothered him.
The hospital room had the signing a document.
But something about the picture bothered him.
The hospital room had the wrong furniture.
And Claire was wearing the blue dress she'd worn at the wedding.
"Detective, look.""
Brooks examined wrong furniture.
And Claire was wearing the blue dress she'd worn at the wedding.
"Detective, look.""
Brooks examined it.
"That's not a hospital.""
"No. It's the conservatory at the estate.""
She turned the photograph over.
On it.
"That's not a hospital.""
"No. It's the conservatory at the estate.""
She turned the photograph over.
On the back were five handwritten words:
CLAIRE SIGNED AWAY HER DAUGHTER.
Marcus felt his jaw the back were five handwritten words:
CLAIRE SIGNED AWAY HER DAUGHTER.
Marcus felt his jaw tighten.
"That's a lie.""
Brooks placed the photograph in an evidence sleeve.
"Looks like Daniel wanted Ava to believe her mother tighten.
"That's a lie.""
Brooks placed the photograph in an evidence sleeve.
"Looks like Daniel wanted Ava to believe her mother had abandoned her.""
Ava whispered, "He said Mommy didn't want me anymore.""
Marcus crouched.
"Listen to me, sweetheart. Your mommy loves you more than anything in the world.""
"Promise?""
had abandoned her.""
Ava whispered, "He said Mommy didn't want me anymore.""
Marcus crouched.
"Listen to me, sweetheart. Your mommy loves you more than anything in the world.""
"Promise?""
"I promise.""
She buried her face against his shoulder.
Brooks approached the cabinet Daniel had opened.
Inside were several folders, a small envelope, and a flash drive.
"Mr. Reed,"I promise.""
She buried her face against his shoulder.
Brooks approached the cabinet Daniel had opened.
Inside were several folders, a small envelope, and a flash drive.
"Mr. Reed, do you recognize these?""
Marcus examined the documents.
The first folder contained company ownership records.
The second contained bank transfers.
The third had his do you recognize these?""
Marcus examined the documents.
The first folder contained company ownership records.
The second contained bank transfers.
The third had his name printed across the front.
He opened it.
Inside were photographs of the accident that had killed Ethan Miller.
His hands began shaking.
There was the old Mercedes.
There was the damaged front name printed across the front.
He opened it.
Inside were photographs of the accident that had killed Ethan Miller.
His hands began shaking.
There was the old Mercedes.
There was the damaged front bumper.
And there was a photograph of Daniel standing beside the vehicle two days before the crash.
Marcus turned the page.
A handwritten statement was attached bumper.
And there was a photograph of Daniel standing beside the vehicle two days before the crash.
Marcus turned the page.
A handwritten statement was attached.
The vehicle was inspected and found to have no mechanical defects.
The signature belonged to Richard.
The vehicle was inspected and found to have no mechanical defects.
The signature belonged to Richard Reed.
Marcus stared.
His father had known the brakes were tampered with.
But the next document made everything worse.
It was a payment receipt Reed.
Marcus stared.
His father had known the brakes were tampered with.
But the next document made everything worse.
It was a payment receipt.
A large sum had been transferred to the Miller family three days after Ethan's death.
The recipient's signature was visible.
Ethan's mother.
Marcus closed.
A large sum had been transferred to the Miller family three days after Ethan's death.
The recipient's signature was visible.
Ethan's mother.
Marcus closed his eyes.
For years, he had thought the money was a settlement arranged by his father.
Now he understood that it had been hush money.
" his eyes.
For years, he had thought the money was a settlement arranged by his father.
Now he understood that it had been hush money.
"Detective," he said quietly, "I need to know whether Daniel killed Ethan.""
Brooks examined the documents.
"We'll have toDetective," he said quietly, "I need to know whether Daniel killed Ethan.""
Brooks examined the documents.
"We'll have to verify everything.""
"Can we?""
She looked at him.
"We're going to.""
An officer approached.
"Detective, we verify everything.""
"Can we?""
She looked at him.
"We're going to.""
An officer approached.
"Detective, we found blood outside.""
Brooks stood.
"Where?""
"Near the water entrance. Looks like someone was injured.""
Marcus immediately found blood outside.""
Brooks stood.
"Where?""
"Near the water entrance. Looks like someone was injured.""
Marcus immediately looked toward the rear door.
"Daniel?""
"Possibly.""
Brooks radioed for a search team.
Marcus glanced looked toward the rear door.
"Daniel?""
"Possibly.""
Brooks radioed for a search team.
Marcus glanced at the handgun.
"Did he shoot himself?""
"Not necessarily. The weapon may have discharged during the at the handgun.
"Did he shoot himself?""
"Not necessarily. The weapon may have discharged during the struggle.""
"Then where is he?""
The officer hesitated.
"We found a boat missing from the dock struggle.""
"Then where is he?""
The officer hesitated.
"We found a boat missing from the dock.""
Brooks looked toward the dark marsh.
"He's heading south.""
She turned to Marcus.
"You're taking your daughter somewhere secure. Right now.""
Marcus nodded.""
Brooks looked toward the dark marsh.
"He's heading south.""
She turned to Marcus.
"You're taking your daughter somewhere secure. Right now.""
Marcus nodded.
But as he carried Ava toward the entrance, she tugged his shirt.
"Daddy?""
"Yes,.
But as he carried Ava toward the entrance, she tugged his shirt.
"Daddy?""
"Yes, sweetheart?""
"Uncle Daniel said something before the lights went out.""
Marcus stopped.
"What?""
Ava looked toward the water sweetheart?""
"Uncle Daniel said something before the lights went out.""
Marcus stopped.
"What?""
Ava looked toward the water.
"He said Grandma was coming.""
Marcus frowned.
"Grandma?""
"My grandma. Daddy's mommy.""
Marcus felt his stomach tighten.
His mother had died when he was young.
"Did he say why.
"He said Grandma was coming.""
Marcus frowned.
"Grandma?""
"My grandma. Daddy's mommy.""
Marcus felt his stomach tighten.
His mother had died when he was young.
"Did he say why?""
Ava shook her head.
"He said she was going to tell everyone the truth.""
Marcus looked at Brooks.
"That's impossible.""
Brooks studied him.
"Why?""
"My mother has?""
Ava shook her head.
"He said she was going to tell everyone the truth.""
Marcus looked at Brooks.
"That's impossible.""
Brooks studied him.
"Why?""
"My mother has been dead for fifteen years.""
Ava's little fingers tightened around his hand.
"But Daddy...""
She been dead for fifteen years.""
Ava's little fingers tightened around his hand.
"But Daddy...""
She swallowed.
"Uncle Daniel said Grandma was in the house.""
Two hours later, Marcus sat in an interview swallowed.
"Uncle Daniel said Grandma was in the house.""
Two hours later, Marcus sat in an interview room at Charleston Police Headquarters.
Ava was sleeping in a private room with a female officer.
Detective Brooks placed a cup room at Charleston Police Headquarters.
Ava was sleeping in a private room with a female officer.
Detective Brooks placed a cup of coffee in front of him.
"Your brother's boat was found abandoned three miles south of the boathouse of coffee in front of him.
"Your brother's boat was found abandoned three miles south of the boathouse.""
"Was there blood?""
"Yes.""
"His?""
"We're testing it.""
Marcus stared at the table.
"Do.""
"Was there blood?""
"Yes.""
"His?""
"We're testing it.""
Marcus stared at the table.
"Do you think he's dead?""
Brooks shook her head.
"I don't think Daniel Reed is the type of man who disappears without you think he's dead?""
Brooks shook her head.
"I don't think Daniel Reed is the type of man who disappears without a plan.""
She opened a folder.
"We've also recovered the flash drive from the boathouse.""
"What's on it?""
"Financial records. a plan.""
She opened a folder.
"We've also recovered the flash drive from the boathouse.""
"What's on it?""
"Financial records. Photographs. And a video.""
Marcus looked up.
"What video?""
Brooks turned her Photographs. And a video.""
Marcus looked up.
"What video?""
Brooks turned her laptop toward him.
The screen showed his father's office.
Richard sat behind his desk.
His face looked pale and tired.
The date in laptop toward him.
The screen showed his father's office.
Richard sat behind his desk.
His face looked pale and tired.
The date in the corner was November 21, four years earlier.
The night he died.
Marcus leaned closer.
Richard looked directly into the camera.
"If you're watching the corner was November 21, four years earlier.
The night he died.
Marcus leaned closer.
Richard looked directly into the camera.
"If you're watching this, Daniel has probably told you that I was sick. That I was confused. That I died naturally.""
He paused.
"None of that is true.""
Marcus this, Daniel has probably told you that I was sick. That I was confused. That I died naturally.""
He paused.
"None of that is true.""
Marcus felt his throat tighten.
Richard continued.
"I made mistakes. Terrible mistakes. But I did not deserve what happened to me.""
A shadow crossed the doorway.
Someone entered.
Marcus recognized Daniel.
His brother stood felt his throat tighten.
Richard continued.
"I made mistakes. Terrible mistakes. But I did not deserve what happened to me.""
A shadow crossed the doorway.
Someone entered.
Marcus recognized Daniel.
His brother stood beside the desk.
Richard looked up.
"You're early.""
Daniel replied, "You said you wanted to talk.""
"I beside the desk.
Richard looked up.
"You're early.""
Daniel replied, "You said you wanted to talk.""
"I want you to tell me where the original documents are.""
"They're gone.""
"Don't lie to me.""
Daniel leaned against the desk.
want you to tell me where the original documents are.""
"They're gone.""
"Don't lie to me.""
Daniel leaned against the desk.
"You're going to ruin everything.""
Richard shook his head.
"Everything was already ruined when you decided money mattered more than your family.""
Daniel's face hardened.
"You gave Marcus"You're going to ruin everything.""
Richard shook his head.
"Everything was already ruined when you decided money mattered more than your family.""
Daniel's face hardened.
"You gave Marcus everything.""
"I gave him a chance.""
"You gave him the company.""
"I gave both of you the company.""
"He's always been your favorite.""
Richard stood everything.""
"I gave him a chance.""
"You gave him the company.""
"I gave both of you the company.""
"He's always been your favorite.""
Richard stood.
"Don't make this about Marcus.""
Daniel laughed.
"You don't understand, do you? Ethan was going to destroy us.""
Richard went still.
"Don't make this about Marcus.""
Daniel laughed.
"You don't understand, do you? Ethan was going to destroy us.""
Richard went still.
Marcus leaned forward.
Daniel continued.
"He had the photographs. He knew about Gregory. I asked.
Marcus leaned forward.
Daniel continued.
"He had the photographs. He knew about Gregory. I asked him to hand them over. He refused.""
Richard's voice dropped.
"So you tampered with Marcus's car.""
"I didn't intend for him to be him to hand them over. He refused.""
Richard's voice dropped.
"So you tampered with Marcus's car.""
"I didn't intend for him to be driving it.""
Marcus stopped breathing.
Richard slammed his hand against the desk.
"YOU KILLED THAT BOY!""
Daniel stepped driving it.""
Marcus stopped breathing.
Richard slammed his hand against the desk.
"YOU KILLED THAT BOY!""
Daniel stepped closer.
"And you covered it up!""
The recording ended abruptly.
Marcus stared at the black screen.
He couldn't speak.
Brooks closed closer.
"And you covered it up!""
The recording ended abruptly.
Marcus stared at the black screen.
He couldn't speak.
Brooks closed the laptop.
"We have enough to issue a warrant for Daniel's arrest on several charges, pending further verification.""
Marcus looked at her.
"There's the laptop.
"We have enough to issue a warrant for Daniel's arrest on several charges, pending further verification.""
Marcus looked at her.
"There's something else.""
"What?""
"My daughter said Daniel mentioned my mother.""
Brooks nodded.
"You said she something else.""
"What?""
"My daughter said Daniel mentioned my mother.""
Brooks nodded.
"You said she died fifteen years ago.""
"Yes.""
"Could he have meant someone else?""
Marcus thought about the old family house.
The secret marriage.
Margaret.
Then he remembered something.
His mother had been named died fifteen years ago.""
"Yes.""
"Could he have meant someone else?""
Marcus thought about the old family house.
The secret marriage.
Margaret.
Then he remembered something.
His mother had been named Eleanor.
She had died after a supposed car accident.
Her funeral had been private.
His father had refused to discuss it.
And Daniel Eleanor.
She had died after a supposed car accident.
Her funeral had been private.
His father had refused to discuss it.
And Daniel had been the only family member who had attended the hospital that night.
Marcus slowly looked up.
"Detective had been the only family member who had attended the hospital that night.
Marcus slowly looked up.
"Detective, I need to know something.""
"What?""
"Did anyone ever verify my mother's death?""
Brooks frowned.
"Why?""
"Because I just realized, I need to know something.""
"What?""
"Did anyone ever verify my mother's death?""
Brooks frowned.
"Why?""
"Because I just realized something.""
He leaned forward.
"My father never showed me her body.""
Before Brooks could respond, an officer entered something.""
He leaned forward.
"My father never showed me her body.""
Before Brooks could respond, an officer entered.
"Detective, we have a call from a woman claiming to be Eleanor Reed.""
Marcus stood so quickly his chair fell backward.
The officer looked at him.
"She says she has information about the wedding.
"Detective, we have a call from a woman claiming to be Eleanor Reed.""
Marcus stood so quickly his chair fell backward.
The officer looked at him.
"She says she has information about the wedding attack.""
Marcus whispered, "My mother?""
The officer nodded.
"She's waiting outside.""
attack.""
Marcus whispered, "My mother?""
May you like
The officer nodded.
"She's waiting outside.""
