Chapter 15 - The Final Shadow
I drove down the coastal highway toward home fast.
I checked my rear-view mirror constantly while driving.
A dark black SUV was tailgating my car close.
The SUV had dark tinted windows and no plates.
I accelerated, but the SUV matched my exact pace.
Suddenly, the black SUV rammed my rear bumper hard.
Metal crunched loudly as my car jolted forward.
I gripped the steering wheel tight, holding control.
The black SUV pulled alongside my left car door.
The passenger window rolled down slowly in wind.
A man wearing a black ski mask pointed handgun.
He fired two shots straight through my side window.
Glass shattered into dust, spraying across passenger seat.
I ducked my head low, swerving car to right.
My tires skidded off pavement onto gravel shoulder.
Dust clouds billowed high into the afternoon sky.
I slammed my foot onto the brake pedal hard.
My car spun around in a full circle safely.
The black SUV overshot, stopping fifty yards ahead.
The gunman stepped out of vehicle with weapon drawn.
He walked steadily toward my stopped car on road.
I reached into my glove compartment for flare gun.
I loaded a red magnesium flare cartridge into chamber.
The gunman raised his pistol toward my windshield glass.
"Margaret sends her regards, Daniel!" gunman shouted.
I kicked my driver door open hard into gunman.
The heavy metal door struck the gunman's arm.
The pistol flew from his hand onto gravel road.
I leveled the flare gun directly at gunman's chest.
"Do not move a single muscle!" I barked.
I pulled the flare trigger, firing bright fireball.
The red flare struck the gunman's shoulder hard.
The gunman screamed in pain, falling onto dirt.
I pinned him down, pulling off black ski mask.
I gasped in sheer shock as I recognized face.
The gunman was my father's younger brother, Thomas.
The uncle we believed died ten years ago overseas.
He looked up at me with a blood-stained smile.
"Hello, nephew," Thomas whispered in raspy voice.
"Did you think Margaret was smart enough to plan?"
"She was just our errand girl in Nashville."
"Apex Global owns this entire country, Daniel."
State police cruisers pulled up, arresting my uncle.
They dragged Thomas away in heavy iron chains.
I drove home safely, holding Elena and Clara tight.
Two weeks passed peacefully in our coastal sanctuary.
Thomas and Margaret were locked in maximum security.
The Apex Global network was dismantled by FBI.
Our family was finally, completely safe from danger.
Or so we believed on that quiet spring evening.
Tonight was a warm, quiet Sunday near ocean.
Elena and I sat on the front porch drinking tea.
Clara was fast asleep in her wooden crib inside.
The sunset painted the sky in shades pink gold.
A mail courier van pulled up to driveway.
The driver stepped out, holding a brown package.
"Delivery for Mr. Daniel Carter," driver called.
I walked down porch steps, signing digital pad.
I took the small cardboard box, walking back.
I pulled open the brown sealing tape carefully.
Inside the box lay a sleek silver flash drive.
Beside the drive rested a single old photograph.
I picked up the photo with trembling fingers.
The image showed an old facility in the mountains.
Standing in front was a tall man in suit.
He held a newborn baby boy in arms.
My blood ran completely ice cold in seconds.
The man in the photo was my father William.
The father I believed died five years ago.
He was alive and standing outside secret facility.
I flipped the photo over to read back text:
"Hello, my brave son Daniel."
"Margaret and Thomas were executing my instructions all along."
"I created the trust fund to test your strength."
"You passed the test, my brilliant boy."
"Now it is time for you to take over."
"I am waiting for you at mountain facility."
A floorboard creaked softly on the porch outside.
Slow, heavy, deliberate footsteps approached our door.
The electronic deadbolt lock chimed with soft beep.
The keycard reader flashed green on door frame.
Whoever was outside held a master digital keycard.
The heavy oak front door swung open slowly.
A tall man stepped into the dimly lit hallway.
He wore an immaculate dark tailored wool suit.
His silver hair was styled neatly, eyes cold.
His facial features were identical to mine in mirror.
It was my biological father, standing right before us.
He looked at my raised firearm and smiled warmly.
A chilling, terrifying smile of pure paternal pride.
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"Lower the gun, Daniel," my father whispered softly.
"The most shocking part is yet to come. Comment 'yes' so I can drop Part Two immediately!"
