They Left Her Alone in the Mountains — Then She Found a Civil War Secret Hidden Under an Old Hearth
Chapter 9
Grant Holloway smiled.
“You’ve done what my family couldn’t.”
Emma stared at him.
“You burned my grandfather’s cabin.”
“I gave you a reason to leave.”
“You murdered people.”
“I removed obstacles.”
Noah raised his weapon.
Grant laughed.
“Put it down.”
“You’re under arrest.”
“For what?”
“Attempted murder.”
Grant shook his head.
“You don’t understand who you’re dealing with.”
Emma looked at the ledger.
“Your family.”
“No.”
Grant pointed toward Noah.
“His.”
Noah looked stunned.
Grant revealed that Noah’s father had been a senior member of the Covenant.
Noah’s father had died when Noah was nineteen.
“He left everything behind,” Noah said.
“Not everything.”
Grant smiled.
“He left you.”
Noah lowered his weapon.
Grant continued.
“You were recruited without knowing it.”
Emma looked at Noah.
“How?”
“Your career.”
Grant explained that Noah’s rapid rise through the sheriff’s department had been engineered.
Promotions.
Transfers.
Training.
Every step had been arranged.
Noah realized the truth.
His entire career had been manipulated.
Grant offered them a deal.
Give him the ledger.
He would let them walk away.
Emma refused.
Grant raised his weapon.
Margaret stepped between them.
A gunshot echoed.
Margaret fell.
Noah fired.
Grant escaped through the tunnel.
Emma rushed to Margaret.
She was alive.
Barely.
Before losing consciousness, Margaret whispered:
“Find the vault.”
