Chapter 5 - MARCUS
The hospital corridor seemed endless.
Ethan walked quickly.
Vanessa followed with Daniel.
They entered a secured room.
A man sat beside the window.
His face was bruised.
His hair was longer than Ethan remembered.
But the eyes were unmistakable.
“Marcus.”
Marcus looked up.
For several seconds, neither brother spoke.
Then Marcus smiled faintly.
“I knew you'd come.”
Vanessa rushed toward him.
“Marcus.”
He opened his arms.
She collapsed against him.
For the first time in three years, she cried without trying to hide it.
“I thought you were dead.”
“I almost was.”
Ethan stepped closer.
“Who did this?”
Marcus looked at him.
“Rebecca.”
Ethan's jaw tightened.
“How?”
“She wasn't working alone.”
Marcus glanced toward Daniel.
“Dad was involved.”
Ethan froze.
“My father?”
Marcus nodded.
“Your father created the network.”
Daniel looked down.
“I suspected.”
Marcus continued.
“Money was stolen from charities, hospitals, and investment funds.”
“Why didn't you expose him?”
“I tried.”
“And Rebecca?”
“She found out.”
Marcus explained that Rebecca had been working with Ethan's father for years.
She had initially approached Ethan because she wanted access to his family's business.
But then she became obsessed with him.
When Marcus discovered her involvement, she helped arrange his disappearance.
“She told everyone I ran away.”
Vanessa whispered,
“You protected me.”
Marcus nodded.
“They threatened Lily.”
Ethan looked at Vanessa.
Suddenly he understood why she had kept secrets.
Marcus reached beneath his hospital blanket.
He pulled out a small metal drive.
“This is everything.”
Ethan stared at it.
“Bank records?”
“Everything.”
Daniel stepped forward.
“Where did you get it?”
Marcus smiled.
“I never lost it.”
The door suddenly opened.
A police officer entered.
“We need everyone to remain calm.”
Ethan looked at him.
“What happened?”
“Rebecca escaped custody.”
Vanessa's face went pale.
“How?”
The officer didn't answer immediately.
Then he said,
“She had help.”
Marcus looked toward Ethan.
“She's coming back.”
Ethan understood.
Rebecca wasn't running.
May you like
She was returning for the evidence.
And this time, she would not make the mistake of leaving witnesses alive.
