Chapter 15 - THE MAN INSIDE THE HOUSE
Alonzo called Flora first.
“Where’s Maisie?”
“In the library with Marcus.”
“Get her out. Now.”
Flora heard something in his voice.
She did not ask why.
She walked into the library carrying a tray.
Maisie sat on the carpet drawing.
Marcus stood by the window.
“Miss Maisie,” Flora said, “your father needs you.”
Marcus turned.
“I’ll take her.”
“No.”
His eyes narrowed.
Flora’s heart hammered.
Maisie stood.
Marcus moved toward them.
Then estate alarms sounded.
Alonzo had triggered every security door remotely.
Marcus lunged for Maisie.
Flora shoved the child behind a sofa.
Marcus grabbed Flora’s arm.
She smashed the silver tray across his face.
He staggered.
Maisie ran.
Marcus chased her into the hall.
Two officers came through the opposite doorway.
He pulled a gun.
“Back up!”
Maisie froze.
Alonzo entered from the staircase.
His face went white.
“Marcus.”
The gun shifted toward him.
“You should have left the past alone.”
“You killed Sofia.”
“I was supposed to scare her.”
“She died.”
Marcus’s jaw tightened.
“She ran a red light trying to get away.”
“You chased her.”
“Frances paid me to retrieve the files.”
Maisie started crying.
Marcus looked at her.
That distraction was enough.
Mara fired once.
The bullet hit Marcus’s shoulder.
Police tackled him.
Alonzo grabbed Maisie and held her so tightly she squeaked.
“I’m okay, Daddy.”
He cried into her hair.
Marcus survived.
And in the ambulance, he agreed to talk.
May you like
But only if Cedric answered one question.
“Do you really want to know what your mother did after Sofia died?”
