Chapter 7 - THE FORGED FAREWELL
“Who found us?” Arthur demanded, stepping in front of Caroline to shield her from the windows. “Daniel?”
“Daniel isn’t the one who does the dirty work,” Caroline said bitterly. She retreated to the back wall, pulling the rifle tight to her chest. “He sends Marcus. His head of security. That’s whose coat you found.”
Arthur’s mind raced to the heavy black wool coat draped over the chair. Marcus. A man Arthur had trusted with his own life for a decade.
“Dad, you have to run,” Caroline pleaded, her tough facade crumbling. “If Marcus finds you here with me, he won’t let either of us leave.”
“I am not leaving you again.” Arthur stepped closer to his daughter, his voice breaking. “You said I signed a letter. Caroline, look at me. What letter?”
Caroline wiped a tear from her dirt-streaked cheek. “The night they accused me of the embezzlement. Daniel brought me a letter. It had your signature. It said you knew I was guilty, that you couldn’t bear to look at me, and that if I ever contacted you again, you would have me arrested.”
Arthur felt the floor tilt beneath his feet.
He hadn't been there that night. He had been in the hospital, recovering from a minor heart attack. Daniel had told him Caroline had fled out of guilt before Arthur was even discharged.
“He forged it,” Arthur whispered. The weight of seven lost years crashed down on him. “Caroline, I swear on your mother’s grave, I never wrote that. I spent years waiting for you to call. I thought you hated me.”
Caroline stared at him, searching his eyes for the lie. She found none.
A sob tore from her throat, and the rifle slipped from her hands. Arthur caught her as she collapsed forward, burying her face in his chest just like she did when she was a little girl. He held her tight, feeling how terrifyingly thin she was.
Heavy boots pounded onto the wooden porch.
“Check the back,” a deep voice ordered outside. Marcus.
Arthur pulled away gently. “Where is the back door?”
“Nailed shut,” Caroline whispered in panic. “Dad, there’s no way out.”
The front door kicked open, slamming hard against the interior wall.
Flashlight beams sliced through the dark cabin, pinning Arthur and Caroline against the back wall.
Marcus stepped inside. He was a mountain of a man, dressed in a tactical vest over a dark sweater. He held a suppressed handgun at his side.
“Mr. Bennett,” Marcus said, his voice terrifyingly calm. “Daniel was worried you might come here. You shouldn’t have left the hotel.”
Arthur stood tall, shielding his daughter. “You work for me, Marcus. Not Daniel. Put the gun away.”
Marcus tilted his head. “I work for the man who signs my checks, sir. And Daniel took over payroll five years ago.” He raised the weapon. “Hand over the ledger, Caroline.”
Suddenly, a small shadow darted from the hallway.
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“Leave my mommy alone!”
Lily crashed into Marcus’s legs, swinging a heavy wooden chair leg she had found in the debris.
