The Lion's Last Warning
For several seconds, Henry couldn't move.
His grandfather stood before him.
Alive.
Older.
Weaker.
But unmistakably Richard Montgomery.
Henry ran toward him.
"Grandpa!"
Richard embraced him.
"I wanted to tell you sooner."
Henry pulled away.
"Why did you let me believe you were dead?"
"Because the people responsible had to believe they had won."
Henry looked toward Ethan.
The former security officer was being arrested.
Victor had been taken into custody.
Thomas was cooperating with investigators.
And Henry's mother had finally returned after years in hiding.
The conspiracy that had destroyed their family was beginning to collapse.
But Henry still had one question.
"Why did Leo stop the coffin?"
Richard looked toward the lion.
"Because I taught him that if he ever smelled Ethan near my coffin, he should warn you."
Henry smiled sadly.
Leo approached Richard.
The old lion lowered his head.
Richard placed a trembling hand against his mane.
"My old friend."
Leo closed his eyes.
For twenty years, he had guarded Richard.
And now he had protected his final secret.
Henry looked across the cemetery.
"What happens now?"
Richard smiled.
"Now the truth belongs to you."
The family stood together beneath the gray sky.
But before they left, Leo suddenly lifted his head.
His ears rose.
He stared toward the cemetery gate.
Henry followed his gaze.
A distant black vehicle had stopped outside.
Someone was watching them.
Richard's smile disappeared.
"That's impossible."
Henry looked at him.
"What?"
Richard tightened his grip on the cane.
"Victor wasn't working alone."
The vehicle slowly drove away.
Leo released a deep warning growl.
Henry watched the disappearing car.
The mystery was over.
May you like
Or at least, he had thought it was.
Because somewhere beyond the cemetery gates, another secret had just begun.
