The necklace
332 Words
Smoke billowed from the shattered cottage as firefighters rushed to contain the flames.
Marcus clutched the laptop tightly.
"The flash drive is safe," he said. "That's what matters."
Oliver turned to Tracy.
"You said you recognized the necklace. Think carefully."
Tracy closed her eyes.
Then it came back to her.
"The charity gala," she whispered. "The woman wearing it wasn't Vanessa."
"Who was it?"
She looked at Oliver.
"Your aunt... Penelope Lancaster."
Marcus's eyes widened.
"Penelope? She has controlled the Lancaster Foundation for years."
Oliver frowned.
"My aunt has always stayed away from company business. Why would she be involved in Project Phoenix?"
Grace shook her head.
"Because the foundation wasn't just a charity."
She looked at Oliver with sadness.
"It was the perfect place to move money without attracting attention."
Before Oliver could respond, Marcus's laptop beeped.
"I've recovered a deleted file from the flash drive."
He opened it.
A short video began to play.
Ethan Brooks appeared on the screen.
"If you're watching this, I didn't survive."
He looked exhausted, glancing over his shoulder as though someone was following him.
"There are people in the Lancaster family who believe power is worth any price. But Phoenix isn't acting alone."
He held up a photograph.
"I finally learned the identity of Phoenix's partner."
The image was blurry.
Marcus enhanced it.
The face slowly came into focus.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
It was Adrian Lancaster.
Oliver's younger brother.
"No..." Oliver whispered.
"This can't be true."
Just then, Oliver's phone rang.
The caller ID read:
Adrian.
Oliver answered immediately.
"Where are you?" he demanded.
Adrian's voice was shaky.
"Oliver... listen to me. They're coming for me."
A loud crash echoed through the phone.
"I've been set up! I know who Phoenix is, but I don't have much time."
The line filled with static.
Then Adrian shouted one final sentence:
"Don't trust—"
The call ended.
Oliver stared at the silent phone.
Whoever Adrian had been about to name had reached him first.
- Writer
