Chapter 4 - Anton Voss
Anton Voss had supposedly been dead for twelve years.
Yet the man standing inside Nikolai’s mansion had Anton’s face.
Older.
Thinner.
Scarred.
But unmistakable.
Nikolai stared at the screen.
“That’s impossible.”
Vera remembered saying the same thing about her own father.
They returned to the estate at dangerous speed.
Anton waited in the greenhouse.
Nikolai entered first.
The two men stared at each other.
Anton said quietly, “You became taller.”
Nikolai hit him.
Anton crashed against the potting table.
Vera flinched.
Nikolai grabbed his father by the coat.
“Twelve years.”
“I know.”
“You let me bury an empty coffin.”
“I know.”
“Why?”
“To keep you alive.”
Nikolai released him with disgust.
Anton looked at Vera.
“You have Daniel’s eyes.”
“Where is my father?”
“Alive.”
“Elias?”
“Alive.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know anymore.”
Vera’s patience snapped.
“Everyone keeps telling me half the truth because they think they’re protecting me. Stop.”
Anton nodded.
Then he told them.
Twenty-two years ago, Daniel discovered Leon Helian’s network was larger than anyone understood. Politicians, businessmen, customs officials and private security contractors were involved.
Anton helped Daniel collect evidence.
Leon discovered them.
Bellweather burned.
Elias was kidnapped.
Daniel escaped with Vera.
Anton paid Margaret to create a new history for Vera.
Years later, Daniel found evidence Elias had survived.
He disappeared voluntarily to search for him.
The car accident was staged.
“Then why fake your death?” Nikolai asked.
“Because I found Daniel.”
Anton looked at Vera.
“We worked together.”
“For twelve years?”
“Yes.”
“Where is he now?”
“Missing.”
Vera’s anger disappeared.
“When?”
“Six weeks ago.”
Nikolai understood.
“Before Helian began watching the estate.”
“Yes.”
Anton removed a flash drive.
“Daniel sent this before disappearing.”
The recording showed Daniel, older now.
Alive.
Vera sat down.
Her father looked directly into the camera.
“Vera, if you’re seeing this, they found the path back to you.”
She cried silently.
“I’m sorry I left. Elias survived Bellweather, but Leon turned him into something useful. He grew up inside Helian.”
Vera’s heart broke.
“Elias eventually learned who he was. He contacted me. We were trying to bring the organization down from inside.”
Daniel leaned toward the camera.
“But someone betrayed us.”
Nikolai looked at Anton.
“Who?”
Anton shook his head.
“We never learned.”
The recording continued.
“The original ledger is still hidden. Vera had it the entire time, though she never knew.”
Her music box.
Daniel explained that the wooden base contained a false panel.
The ledger had been microfilmed and hidden inside.
But someone had stolen the box.
“Who knew?” Vera asked.
Anton answered.
“Daniel. Me. Margaret.”
“And Elias?”
“No.”
Nikolai began pacing.
“Then one of those three told someone.”
Anton’s face hardened.
“Or somebody heard us.”
Vera remembered the warning.
The man inside Nikolai’s organization.
“Who has served your family longest?”
Nikolai and Anton looked at each other.
One name emerged.
Gregor Dane.
Nikolai’s head of financial operations.
He had served Anton before Nikolai.
Dmitri searched the estate.
Gregor was gone.
So were three vehicles.
Then Vera’s satellite phone rang.
She answered.
A man said, “Your father wants to speak with you.”
Daniel came on.
“Vera?”
She nearly collapsed.
“Dad?”
“Listen carefully. Don’t trust Anton.”
Anton’s face changed.
“Daniel?”
“Vera, Gregor isn’t the traitor.”
“Then who is?”
A sound interrupted him.
A door opening.
Daniel whispered urgently.
“I have to go.”
“Dad!”
“Find Elias. He knows.”
“Knows what?”
Daniel’s voice dropped.
“Who really ordered Bellweather.”
The line disconnected.
Vera turned toward Anton.
His face had gone gray.
Nikolai noticed.
“You know.”
Anton shook his head.
“Father.”
Anton backed toward the greenhouse door.
“Who ordered the fire?” Nikolai demanded.
Anton whispered, “I thought he was dead.”
“Who?”
Before Anton could answer, a red laser appeared on his chest.
Vera saw it first.
May you like
“Nikolai!”
Glass exploded.
