Chapter 9: Rooftop Reckoning
The cold rain stung Clara’s face as she pulled herself onto the gravel rooftop. Below her, the city lights blurred into streaks of amber and silver.
The roof access door behind her groaned and burst open.
It wasn't a mercenary who stepped out into the storm. It was Victoria herself, holding a snub-nosed revolver, her designer coat soaked and heavy. Her eyes burned with a manic, unhinged clarity.
"You took everything from me," Victoria yelled over the howling wind. "My husband, my company, my legacy!"
"You took your own husband's life, Victoria!" Clara shouted back, backing slowly toward the rooftop ledge. "You poisoned him because he wanted to give the stolen money back to the families you destroyed!"
"Those families were statistics!" Victoria screamed, raising the gun with both hands. "They were weak! Arthur was weak! And you... you were a nobody whose father couldn't even keep his own mouth shut!"
Clara stopped at the edge of the parapet. Behind Victoria, Alvarez emerged from the stairwell, wounded in the shoulder, his weapon trained on Victoria's back.
"Drop the weapon, Victoria!" Alvarez yelled. "It’s over!"
Victoria didn't turn around. Her finger tightened on the trigger, her eyes locked solely on Clara. "If I go down, you come with me."
May you like
A gunshot cracked through the rain.
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