Chapter 10 - The Last Harrington SecretPolice reached Sofia’s apartment in four minutes.
Every adviser said so.
Public relations wanted silence.
Lawyers wanted caution.
The board wanted distance from scandal.
Daniel did the opposite.
He announced the event would continue at Harrington Tower on Saturday evening.
Employees, journalists, investors, and retired staff were invited.
The company would publicly address its past.
Behind the scenes, police prepared for Alexander.
Brooks hated the plan.
“He may not come.”
“He will.”
“You’re gambling with hundreds of people.”
“They’ll be screened.”
“He’s lived under a false identity for decades. Never underestimate someone who survives by disappearing.”
Daniel nodded.
“I’m not.”
Maria insisted on attending.
Daniel objected.
“No.”
She crossed her arms.
“I have spent six years serving food at family events. If I suddenly disappear, he may know something is wrong.”
“You were kidnapped.”
“And I survived.”
“Sofia needs you.”
Maria’s expression softened.
“That is why I want this finished.”
Daniel reluctantly agreed under one condition: Maria would remain near police officers at all times.
Saturday arrived.
Harrington Tower glowed above downtown Boston.
Hundreds entered the ballroom.
Reporters filled the back rows.
At eight o’clock, Daniel stepped onto the stage.
No orchestra.
No champagne toast.
Just a microphone.
“My family spent generations building this company,” he began.
Cameras flashed.
“But building something does not give you the right to hide what was done inside it.”
He admitted investigators had uncovered financial crimes involving former executives and members of his own family.
He promised restitution wherever possible.
He announced an independent ethics board and employee protection fund.
Then he said:
“The truth does not destroy a company. The refusal to face truth does.”
In the crowd, Maria smiled.
Then the lights flickered.
Brooks touched her earpiece.
Security systems briefly went offline.
Daniel knew.
Alexander was there.
A large screen behind the stage suddenly changed.
Old photographs appeared.
Edmund Harrington.
Richard.
Victor.
Then Alexander as a young man.
A recorded voice filled the ballroom.
“For one hundred years, the Harrington family has celebrated itself.”
People turned toward the screens.
“Tonight, you will hear from the son they erased.”
Gasps spread.
Daniel remained onstage.
A man stood at the back.
Gray suit.
White hair.
Calm smile.
Arthur Webb.
Alexander Vale.
He walked slowly down the center aisle.
Security moved toward him.
Daniel raised a hand.
“Let him come.”
Brooks looked furious.
Alexander reached the stage.
For eleven years, Daniel had known him as a groundskeeper.
Now Alexander stood beneath television lights as if he had waited his entire life for them.
“You finally know who I am,” he said.
Daniel held his gaze.
“Yes.”
Alexander turned toward cameras.
“My father was Edmund Harrington.”
Daniel said quietly, “No, he wasn’t.”
Alexander froze.
Daniel held up Richard’s recovered file.
“DNA testing proved Edmund was not your biological father.”
For the first time, Alexander lost control.
“That’s a lie.”
“My father commissioned the test.”
“You think a piece of paper erases what they did?”
“No.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“Edmund let you believe you were his son. Then he refused to acknowledge you. That was cruel.”
Alexander stared.
“But cruelty doesn’t justify murder.”
Murmurs filled the room.
Alexander smiled again.
“You have no proof I murdered anyone.”
“Maybe not.”
Brooks stepped forward.
“But we have Nathan Cole.”
Alexander’s smile disappeared.
Police brought Nathan through a side entrance in handcuffs.
He had been arrested that afternoon while attempting to cross into Canada.
Nathan had agreed to cooperate.
Brooks continued.
“He identified you as the person who ordered Daniel’s poisoning, Maria’s kidnapping, Marcus Reed’s shooting, and Charles Bennett’s attack.”
Alexander glanced toward exits.
Security moved into position.
He laughed.
“You think Nathan’s word will save you?”
“No,” Daniel said.
“This will.”
The giant screen changed.
Video from the groundskeeper cottage appeared.
Investigators had recovered a hidden recording system Alexander forgot to erase.
Alexander’s own voice could be heard instructing Nathan:
If Maria talks, take her.
If Daniel drinks the full dose, he won’t make it to the board meeting.
The ballroom became silent.
Alexander stared at the screen.
Then his right hand moved inside his jacket.
Brooks shouted.
“Hands!”
Alexander pulled a pistol.
Guests screamed.
Security moved.
But Alexander did not point it at Daniel.
He aimed at Maria.
Daniel saw it.
He jumped from the stage.
The shot exploded.
Maria fell.
Daniel hit the floor beside her.
“Maria!”
Blood spread across her sleeve.
She was alive.
The bullet had grazed her upper arm.
Police rushed Alexander.
He fired again.
Then ran toward a service corridor.
Brooks followed.
Daniel wanted to chase him but stayed beside Maria.
“You’re okay.”
She gritted her teeth.
“I told you rich people hide ugly secrets.”
Despite everything, Daniel laughed.
“You picked now to say that?”
She smiled weakly.
Sirens filled the building.
Then another sound came through Daniel’s phone.
Sofia.
He answered.
“Daniel?”
Her voice was terrified.
“What happened?”
“My mother?”
“She’s alive.”
Sofia started crying.
“Thank God.”
Then she whispered:
“There’s someone inside my apartment.”
Daniel went cold.
“Sofia, get out.”
“I can’t.”
“Call police.”
“I did.”
A door crashed in the background.
Sofia screamed.
Then the line went dead.
Daniel looked at Maria.
Her face turned white.
Alexander had gone to the ballroom.
So whoever was inside Sofia’s apartment was someone else.
May you like
Someone still working with him.
Victor.
