Chapter 8
The world seemed to stop spinning. The wind died down, the distant sound of the creek faded into a dull roar, and the only thing Mark could focus on was the small, dark barrel of the revolver pointed straight at his heart.
"Step back, Mr. Hayes," the man in the trench coat said smoothly, his voice dangerously calm. He had sharp, angular features and cold gray eyes that betrayed no emotion whatsoever. "You've wandered into a very private conversation."
"Let her go," Mark demanded, his voice dropping into a dangerous, controlled register. He forced himself to take a slow step forward, ignoring the trembling in his hands. "She has nothing to do with whatever game you're playing."
Sarah struggled against the man's grip, wincing in pain. "Mark, listen to me. He's not here for money. He's here for my father's past. I told you... I told you my family had secrets, but I never thought they would find us here."
"Shut up, Sarah," the man snapped, tightening his grip on her arm until she cried out softly. He glanced at Deputy Miller, who was approaching slowly from the flank with his service weapon raised, taking cover behind a rusted mining cart. "Put the gun down, Officer. Unless you want to explain to this little girl's children why their mother didn't come home tonight."
Deputy Miller hesitated, his eyes calculating the distance and the angles. "Lower the weapon, mister. You're surrounded. We have your men back at the bridge."
The man smiled faintly, unimpressed by the threat. "Those two idiots couldn't find their way out of a paper bag. But that's fine. I didn't come here to start a war. I came here for what was stolen from the corporation twelve years ago. The ledger detailing the illegal dumping sites in this county. Sarah’s father entrusted it to her before he passed away."
Mark stared at Sarah, stunned. For the seven years they had been married, he thought he knew everything about her. They had built a quiet, peaceful life together in the suburbs, raising Louis and welcoming their new baby. Yet, standing here in the cold quarry light, he realized entire chapters of her life were hidden behind locked doors.
"Is it true, Sarah?" Mark asked quietly, his eyes meeting hers.
May you like
Sarah looked down, tears spilling over her eyelashes. "My father was involved with people he shouldn't have trusted, Mark. When I found out what they were doing, I took the records to expose them. But they threatened to destroy my entire family. I ran. I changed my name. I thought I was safe."
"You're never safe from your past, Sarah," the man in the trench coat said coldly. "Now, where is the drive?"
