Chapter 20 - ARTHUR’S SIGNATURE
“Someone is behind Grandpa,” Lila said.
Evelyn enlarged the feed.
Warren stepped from behind the boardroom curtains.
He had been released temporarily to assist police.
Instead, he entered Caldwell Tower alone.
Gideon smiled when he saw him.
“My loyal son returns.”
“I’m not your son,” Warren answered.
“You were more useful than mine.”
Adrian heard the words through Ortiz’s radio.
Whatever loyalty remained in him died.
Warren approached Arthur.
Gideon ordered him to hold the patriarch’s hand against the authorization pad.
Warren looked at his father.
Arthur did not beg.
That made the choice harder.
“You told me this would protect my family,” Warren said.
“It protected you for three years.”
“You told me the camera was off.”
“No camera made you strike that child.”
Warren flinched.
The hidden security feed captured every word.
Naomi understood why Warren had entered.
He was forcing Gideon to confess.
Gideon continued.
“I gave you a phone and a frightened little girl. You supplied the cruelty.”
Warren looked directly toward the hidden camera.
“Did you order Ethan’s crash?”
Gideon’s eyes narrowed.
“You know I did.”
“Say it.”
“I ordered the vehicle stopped. Miriam failed to certify the correct body. Ethan survived. Every problem since then exists because people refuse to complete simple tasks.”
Ethan closed his eyes.
The confession was recorded.
Warren reached for Gideon’s weapon.
Gideon fired.
The bullet struck the table.
Arthur drove his shoulder into Gideon.
The gun slid across the floor.
Naomi and Ortiz entered.
Adrian rushed past them.
Gideon reached the weapon first.
He aimed at his son.
Adrian froze.
“You were always weak,” Gideon said.
Celeste’s voice came through Adrian’s phone.
“No. He was afraid.”
Adrian looked at the screen.
Celeste stood beside Lila in the hotel security office.
“But fear does not decide what he does next.”
Adrian stepped between Gideon and Arthur.
Gideon pulled the trigger.
Nothing happened.
Warren had removed the magazine before entering the room.
Police forced Gideon to the floor.
Arthur remained beside the unsigned document.
May you like
He picked up the pen.
Then he broke it in half.
