The Man Behind the Gun
Ethan Cole kept his weapon lowered, but his finger remained dangerously close to the trigger.
Leo stood motionless on top of the coffin.
The crowd had fallen completely silent.
"Everyone stay back," Ethan ordered.
Henry stepped forward.
"Ethan, don't."
The security officer looked at him.
"Your grandfather's lion is unpredictable."
"Not with Richard."
Ethan glanced at the animal.
"Richard isn't here anymore."
Those words seemed to change something.
Leo suddenly turned his head.
His amber eyes locked onto Ethan.
The lion growled.
Ethan froze.
Henry noticed something strange.
Leo wasn't simply afraid of the gun.
He seemed to recognize Ethan.
"Have you met Leo before?" Henry asked.
Ethan hesitated.
"Once."
"When?"
"Years ago."
Henry narrowed his eyes.
"Where?"
Ethan didn't answer.
Instead, he ordered another guard to move the mourners away.
Henry watched him carefully.
His grandfather had trusted very few people.
Yet Ethan had been responsible for Richard's private security for almost three years.
If there was anyone who knew what had happened during Richard's final weeks, it was him.
Suddenly, Leo scratched the coffin again.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Henry approached the grave.
"What is it?"
Leo stared at him.
Then he looked toward the cemetery gate.
Henry followed his gaze.
A black sedan was parked outside.
Its engine was running.
A man sat behind the tinted glass.
The moment Henry looked directly at the vehicle, it drove away.
Henry turned toward Ethan.
"Who was that?"
Ethan's face had gone strangely pale.
"I don't know."
But Henry immediately realized something.
May you like
Ethan was lying.
And somewhere inside that departing car, someone had been watching Richard Montgomery's funeral.
