The grandfather's choice
322 Words
Oliver stared at Inspector Reed in disbelief.
"My grandfather's fingerprints?"
Reed nodded.
"The bracelet was handled by both Tracy and Edward Lancaster. We don't yet know when or why."
Marcus frowned.
"Fingerprints alone don't prove murder."
"They don't," Reed agreed. "But they give us another lead."
Just then, the grand doors of the bank opened.
Edward Lancaster walked in, leaning on his cane, flanked by two bodyguards.
The entire lobby fell silent.
"I've come for Tracy," he announced.
Oliver stepped in front of her.
"You're not taking her anywhere."
Edward's eyes met his grandson's.
"I know you think I'm your enemy."
"Are you?"
The old man sighed.
"If I were, she would never have lived long enough to stand here."
Tracy felt a chill.
"What do you mean?"
Edward turned to her.
"Twenty-five years ago, someone within this family wanted you eliminated. I stopped them."
Oliver's expression hardened.
"Then tell us who it was."
Before Edward could answer, a sharp crack echoed through the lobby.
Bang!
A bullet shattered the glass behind him.
Marcus reacted instantly, pulling Tracy and Oliver to the floor.
"Sniper!" he shouted.
The bodyguards rushed Edward toward cover.
Outside, people screamed and scattered.
Marcus pointed toward a nearby rooftop.
"There!"
The sniper fired a second shot.
It narrowly missed Edward, striking one of the marble pillars.
Within seconds, the attacker disappeared.
Police flooded the area, but the rooftop was empty.
Only a small black envelope had been left behind.
Marcus carefully opened it.
Inside was a single sheet of paper with a handwritten message:
> Edward Lancaster has seven days to tell the truth. If he doesn't... everyone dies.
At the bottom was the silver phoenix symbol.
Edward read the note silently.
For the first time, Oliver saw genuine fear in his grandfather's eyes.
"What truth?" Oliver demanded.
Edward closed his eyes.
"The truth I've been hiding for twenty-five years..."
He looked at Tracy.
"...about your real father."
- Writer
