Chapter 14 - The Man Who Disappeared
Trevor Cole had left behind one final secret.
Police recovered his phone from the river.
Most data was destroyed.
One audio file survived.
Trevor's voice.
“If something happens to me, Voss ordered the railing. Mercer tried to stop it. Victor knows about everything.”
Madison listened twice.
Then a third time.
Mercer had told the truth.
He had watched because he was trapped.
But he had also tried to stop Trevor.
Gabriel visited him.
“You could have warned her.”
“I know.”
“You could have shut down the platform.”
“I know.”
“You could have called me.”
Mercer cried.
“I know.”
Gabriel wanted to hate him.
Madison didn't let him.
“He has to live with it.”
Gabriel looked at her.
“That's enough?”
“No.”
Madison turned toward Mercer.
“He testifies.”
Mercer nodded.
“Everything.”
“Yes.”
“And he tells Trevor's family the truth.”
Mercer broke down.
“Yes.”
Madison walked away.
Gabriel followed.
“You surprise me.”
“Why?”
“I thought you'd want revenge.”
“I want my life back.”
That sentence changed him.
Gabriel had spent years believing justice and revenge were neighboring things.
Madison understood the difference better than he did.
At midnight, they prepared for Pier Thirty-One.
Voss was expected at 3:00 a.m.
Federal agents waited nearby.
Gabriel wore a wire.
Madison was supposed to remain behind.
At 2:40, she disappeared.
Gabriel discovered her note.
He wants me. That means he'll talk to me. Trust me.
Gabriel swore so loudly three agents turned around.
Then his phone rang.
Madison.
“Don't yell.”
“Where are you?”
“Pier Thirty-One.”
Gabriel closed his eyes.
“Madison.”
“I found Voss.”
“Get out.”
“Too late.”
A man's voice sounded behind her.
“Hang up.”
May you like
The line went dead.
Gabriel ran.
