Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: My Brother's Real Identity
“Lock: My Brother's Real Identity
“Lock down every exit!””
Detective Collins shouted the down every exit!””
Detective Collins shouted the order before I had even finished the phone call.
I was order before I had even finished the phone call.
I was already running toward the door.
“Marcus, wait!””
“That's my wife!””
“I'm aware of that. Running already running toward the door.
“Marcus, wait!””
“That's my wife!””
“I'm aware of that. Running into an unknown situation without a plan won't help her.””
I turned toward her.
“Daniel has her into an unknown situation without a plan won't help her.””
I turned toward her.
“Daniel has her. The man who put her in a coffin has my pregnant wife again. Tell me what you expect me to do!””
Detective Collins grabbed her. The man who put her in a coffin has my pregnant wife again. Tell me what you expect me to do!””
Detective Collins grabbed her radio.
“Dispatch, this is Collins. Possible abduction at St. Mary's Hospital. Suspect radio.
“Dispatch, this is Collins. Possible abduction at St. Mary's Hospital.
Suspect Daniel Price. Secure all surrounding roads and request immediate backup.””
I didn't wait for the response.
I Daniel Price. Secure all surrounding roads and request immediate backup.””
I didn't wait for the response.
I ran outside.
The patrol car was still parked near the driveway. An officer jumped out as I approached.
“ ran outside.
The patrol car was still parked near the driveway. An officer jumped out as I approached.
“Where's the hospital?””
“Get in.””
I climbed into the passenger seat.
Detective Collins followed in the vehicleWhere's the hospital?””
“Get in.””
I climbed into the passenger seat.
Detective Collins followed in the vehicle behind us.
The drive felt endless.
Every red light seemed personal. Every passing car looked like a possible escape vehicle behind us.
The drive felt endless.
Every red light seemed personal. Every passing car looked like a possible escape vehicle.
I kept calling Nia.
Straight to voicemail.
Again.
Voicemail.
I sent a message.
**Marcus: Baby.
I kept calling Nia.
Straight to voicemail.
Again.
Voicemail.
I sent a message.
*Marcus: Baby, wherever you are, stay strong. I'm coming.*
No reply.
Then my phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
A, wherever you are, stay strong. I'm coming.**
No reply.
Then my phone vibrated.
Unknown number.
A photograph appeared.
Nia was sitting in the back of a vehicle. Her hands were tied, and a strip photograph appeared.
Nia was sitting in the back of a vehicle. Her hands were tied, and a strip of medical tape covered her mouth.
Her eyes were open.
Terrified.
I recognized the gray interior.
Daniel's SUV of medical tape covered her mouth.
Her eyes were open.
Terrified.
I recognized the gray interior.
Daniel's SUV.
A message followed.
*Daniel: You wanted the truth about our family. Meet me at the place where it began. Come alone.*
I.
A message followed.
*Daniel: You wanted the truth about our family. Meet me at the place where it began. Come alone.*
I immediately showed the officer.
He glanced at the screen.
“Detective Collins needs to see this.””
I called her.
She answered immediately.
“Marcus?””
immediately showed the officer.
He glanced at the screen.
“Detective Collins needs to see this.””
I called her.
She answered immediately.
“Marcus?””
“Daniel has Nia.””
“Send me the photograph.””
“He wants me alone.””
“Absolutely not.””
“He says he knows where my“Daniel has Nia.””
“Send me the photograph.””
“He wants me alone.””
“Absolutely not.””
“He says he knows where my biological mother is.””
“Marcus, listen to me. This is exactly what he wants.””
I stared biological mother is.””
“Marcus, listen to me. This is exactly what he wants.””
I stared at Nia's photograph.
“What if he hurts her?””
“We're tracing the number. Don't respond at Nia's photograph.
“What if he hurts her?””
“We're tracing the number. Don't respond yet.””
Another message arrived.
**Daniel: The old Carter construction warehouse. 7:00 a.m. Bring yet.””
Another message arrived.
*Daniel: The old Carter construction warehouse. 7:00 a.m. Bring the key. If you bring police, Nia dies.*
I checked the time.
6:18 the key. If you bring police, Nia dies.**
I checked the time.
6:18 a.m.
The warehouse had been abandoned after my father's death. It stood outside the city, beside an old industrial a.m.
The warehouse had been abandoned after my father's death. It stood outside the city, beside an old industrial road.
I remembered visiting it as a child.
My father used to take me there on Saturdays. He'd let me road.
I remembered visiting it as a child.
My father used to take me there on Saturdays. He'd let me sit in his office while he checked construction plans.
That was where everything had started.
And Daniel knew it.
sit in his office while he checked construction plans.
That was where everything had started.
And Daniel knew it.
When we arrived at the hospital, the corridor outside Nia's room was already surrounded by officers.
A securityWhen we arrived at the hospital, the corridor outside Nia's room was already surrounded by officers.
A security guard sat against the wall with a bandage around his forehead.
Detective Collins crouched beside him.
“Can you describe the guard sat against the wall with a bandage around his forehead.
Detective Collins crouched beside him.
“Can you describe the attacker?””
The guard shook his head.
“Wore a nurse's uniform. Said she was transferring the attacker?””
The guard shook his head.
“Wore a nurse's uniform. Said she was transferring the patient.””
“Male or female?””
“I couldn't tell. Mask and cap.””
“Did you see which way they went?””
patient.””
“Male or female?””
“I couldn't tell. Mask and cap.””
“Did you see which way they went?””
He pointed toward the service elevator.
I stepped into Nia's room.
The bed was empty.
HerHe pointed toward the service elevator.
I stepped into Nia's room.
The bed was empty.
Her blanket lay on the floor.
The IV line had been pulled out, leaving a small spot of blood on the sheet.
I blanket lay on the floor.
The IV line had been pulled out, leaving a small spot of blood on the sheet.
I picked up her pillow.
It smelled like her shampoo.
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
Then I saw the message picked up her pillow.
It smelled like her shampoo.
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
Then I saw the message written across the wall in red marker.
*ASK YOUR BROTHER WHY HE WANTS YOUR BABY.*
I turned toward Detective Collins.
“It's written across the wall in red marker.
*ASK YOUR BROTHER WHY HE WANTS YOUR BABY.*
I turned toward Detective Collins.
“It's real.””
She looked at me.
“What?””
“Daniel is my brother.””
She didn't look surprised.
“Your biological twin?””
I nodded.
“I found the adoption records real.””
She looked at me.
“What?””
“Daniel is my brother.””
She didn't look surprised.
“Your biological twin?””
I nodded.
“I found the adoption records.””
She studied the message.
“Then we need to understand why he wants the child.””
I stared at the words.
“Because of my.””
She studied the message.
“Then we need to understand why he wants the child.””
I stared at the words.
“Because of my father's trust.””
“Possibly. But we don't know enough yet.””
An officer approached with a father's trust.””
“Possibly. But we don't know enough yet.””
An officer approached with a tablet.
“Detective, we recovered footage from the underground parking garage.””
She took it.
We watched the recording tablet.
“Detective, we recovered footage from the underground parking garage.””
She took it.
We watched the recording.
A person wearing a nurse's uniform pushed a wheelchair through the service corridor.
Nia was inside it.
Her head.
A person wearing a nurse's uniform pushed a wheelchair through the service corridor.
Nia was inside it.
Her head was lowered.
Behind them, a man carried a medical bag.
When the elevator doors opened, the person was lowered.
Behind them, a man carried a medical bag.
When the elevator doors opened, the person in the nurse's uniform turned slightly.
I recognized the shoes.
Daniel's shoes.
Black leather with a silver buckle in the nurse's uniform turned slightly.
I recognized the shoes.
Daniel's shoes.
Black leather with a silver buckle.
He had worn them at Nia's funeral.
Detective Collins paused the recording.
“That's him.””
I stared at the screen.
.
He had worn them at Nia's funeral.
Detective Collins paused the recording.
“That's him.””
I stared at the screen.
“He was at the hospital the entire time.””
“Apparently.””
The detective enlarged the image.
Then her expression changed.
““He was at the hospital the entire time.””
“Apparently.””
The detective enlarged the image.
Then her expression changed.
“Wait.””
She pointed to the second person.
The man carrying the medical bag.
His face was partly visible beneathWait.””
She pointed to the second person.
The man carrying the medical bag.
His face was partly visible beneath the mask.
“Do you recognize him?”” she asked.
I leaned closer.
My stomach dropped.
It was Dr. Harrison the mask.
“Do you recognize him?”” she asked.
I leaned closer.
My stomach dropped.
It was Dr. Harrison.
The doctor who had examined Nia before she was transferred to the hospital.
The same doctor who had confirmed the pregnancy was still present.
“That's the.
The doctor who had examined Nia before she was transferred to the hospital.
The same doctor who had confirmed the pregnancy was still present.
“That's the man Daniel used to keep her alive,” I whispered.
Detective Collins immediately called for an arrest warrant.
But man Daniel used to keep her alive,” I whispered.
Detective Collins immediately called for an arrest warrant.
But I was already looking at the screen.
Something was strange.
The man wasn't carrying medical supplies.
He was carrying a small black case.
A case I I was already looking at the screen.
Something was strange.
The man wasn't carrying medical supplies.
He was carrying a small black case.
A case I had seen before.
At Daniel's office.
The case containing the original company documents.
The evidence that had seen before.
At Daniel's office.
The case containing the original company documents.
The evidence that could destroy both of us.
At 6:52 a.m., I stood outside the abandoned warehouse.
Detective Collins had could destroy both of us.
At 6:52 a.m., I stood outside the abandoned warehouse.
Detective Collins had arranged a surveillance team around the property.
I was supposed to remain inside the police vehicle.
I didn't.
I took the brass key marked arranged a surveillance team around the property.
I was supposed to remain inside the police vehicle.
I didn't.
I took the brass key marked 317 and walked toward the building.
The main doors were open.
Inside, the air smelled of dust, oil, and damp concrete 317 and walked toward the building.
The main doors were open.
Inside, the air smelled of dust, oil, and damp concrete.
A single light hung above the old loading area.
Daniel stood beneath it.
Nia was seated in a chair.
A single light hung above the old loading area.
Daniel stood beneath it.
Nia was seated in a chair beside him.
Her hands were tied.
A blanket covered her shoulders.
She looked exhausted, but when she saw me, she lifted her head.
“Marcus!””
I rushed forward.
Daniel beside him.
Her hands were tied.
A blanket covered her shoulders.
She looked exhausted, but when she saw me, she lifted her head.
“Marcus!””
I rushed forward.
Daniel raised a pistol.
“Stop.””
I froze.
Nia began shaking.
“Don't come closer!””
Daniel pointed the raised a pistol.
“Stop.””
I froze.
Nia began shaking.
“Don't come closer!””
Daniel pointed the weapon toward the floor.
“Put the key on the table.””
I looked at Nia.
“Are you hurt?””
“I'm okay.””
“Are you weapon toward the floor.
“Put the key on the table.””
I looked at Nia.
“Are you hurt?””
“I'm okay.””
“Are you sure?””
Daniel laughed.
“She's pregnant, Marcus. Perhaps you should be more concerned about that.””
I sure?””
Daniel laughed.
“She's pregnant, Marcus. Perhaps you should be more concerned about that.””
I placed the key on the table.
“Let her go.””
“Not yet.””
“What do you want?””
Daniel picked up the key.
“Everything our placed the key on the table.
“Let her go.””
“Not yet.””
“What do you want?””
Daniel picked up the key.
“Everything our father left us.””
The words felt like a slap.
“Our father?””
He smiled.
“It's strange, father left us.””
The words felt like a slap.
“Our father?””
He smiled.
“It's strange, isn't it? We spent thirty-seven years living separate lives, and now we're standing in the same room.””
I stared at him.
“You knew isn't it? We spent thirty-seven years living separate lives, and now we're standing in the same room.””
I stared at him.
“You knew?””
“Of course.””
“When?””
“Since I was eighteen.””
I looked at Nia.
She lowered her eyes.
Daniel noticed.
“She knew too.””
?””
“Of course.””
“When?””
“Since I was eighteen.””
I looked at Nia.
She lowered her eyes.
Daniel noticed.
“She knew too.””
My chest tightened.
“Nia?””
She began crying.
“I found out six months ago.””
I felt betrayedMy chest tightened.
“Nia?””
She began crying.
“I found out six months ago.””
I felt betrayed all over again.
“You knew he was my brother?””
“I knew there was a connection. I didn't know everything.””
Daniel laughed.
all over again.
“You knew he was my brother?””
“I knew there was a connection. I didn't know everything.””
Daniel laughed.
“She knew enough.””
I turned toward him.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I wanted to know“She knew enough.””
I turned toward him.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because I wanted to know what you would do when you discovered that the man who had everything was your brother.””
“You stole from my company.””
“Our company.””
“You tried to kill my wife.””
Daniel's smile vanished what you would do when you discovered that the man who had everything was your brother.””
“You stole from my company.””
“Our company.””
“You tried to kill my wife.””
Daniel's smile vanished.
“She was never supposed to get hurt.””
“You put her in a coffin!””
“She was supposed to stay unconscious until we had the documents.””
I stepped forward.
“She was never supposed to get hurt.””
“You put her in a coffin!””
“She was supposed to stay unconscious until we had the documents.””
I stepped forward.
“You expected me to bury her?””
Daniel looked at me coldly.
“I expected you to mourn her. Then.
“You expected me to bury her?””
Daniel looked at me coldly.
“I expected you to mourn her. Then I expected you to sign the papers.””
My stomach turned.
“What papers?””
He removed a folder from his jacket.
“The trust I expected you to sign the papers.””
My stomach turned.
“What papers?””
He removed a folder from his jacket.
“The trust transfer. Your father's assets. The properties. Everything.””
I stared at him.
“Why do you need my signature?””
“Because the transfer. Your father's assets. The properties. Everything.””
I stared at him.
“Why do you need my signature?””
“Because the trust requires both biological heirs to approve any transfer.””
I remembered the hospital record.
Two children.
Two trust requires both biological heirs to approve any transfer.””
I remembered the hospital record.
Two children.
Two separate adoptions.
One trust.
Daniel continued.
“Your father divided the estate equally between us. But there was a condition. Neither of us could access it separate adoptions.
One trust.
Daniel continued.
“Your father divided the estate equally between us. But there was a condition. Neither of us could access it until we both reached thirty-seven.””
“Why?””
“Because that's when he expected us to be old enough to understand what he until we both reached thirty-seven.””
“Why?””
“Because that's when he expected us to be old enough to understand what he had done.””
He opened the folder.
“Unfortunately, our father made another mistake.””
“What?””
“He left control had done.””
He opened the folder.
“Unfortunately, our father made another mistake.””
“What?””
“He left control of the entire trust to the first grandchild.””
My eyes moved to Nia.
Our baby.
Daniel nodded.
“ of the entire trust to the first grandchild.””
My eyes moved to Nia.
Our baby.
Daniel nodded.
“Your child is the key.””
I felt sick.
“You want my baby?””
“I want the trust.””
“Then forgetYour child is the key.””
I felt sick.
“You want my baby?””
“I want the trust.””
“Then forget it.””
Daniel pointed the gun at Nia.
“Think carefully.””
I raised both hands.
“Don't.””
“Sign the transfer.””
“No it.””
Daniel pointed the gun at Nia.
“Think carefully.””
I raised both hands.
“Don't.””
“Sign the transfer.””
“No.””
He pressed the gun closer to her head.
Nia began crying.
“Marcus, don't do.””
He pressed the gun closer to her head.
Nia began crying.
“Marcus, don't do it.””
Daniel leaned forward.
“You have ten seconds.””
I stared at the folder.
Then at the key.
And finally at the black case it.””
Daniel leaned forward.
“You have ten seconds.””
I stared at the folder.
Then at the key.
And finally at the black case beside him.
I remembered the number written on Nia's note.
Locker 317.
The key in beside him.
I remembered the number written on Nia's note.
Locker 317.
The key in my hand wasn't simply an access key.
It was the key to the evidence.
I looked at Daniel.
“You still don't understand, do you?””
His my hand wasn't simply an access key.
It was the key to the evidence.
I looked at Daniel.
“You still don't understand, do you?””
His eyes narrowed.
“Understand what?””
“Father didn't leave the trust to us.””
I pointed toward the documents.
“He left it to whoever could prove eyes narrowed.
“Understand what?””
“Father didn't leave the trust to us.””
I pointed toward the documents.
“He left it to whoever could prove what happened to him.””
Daniel's face changed.
For what happened to him.””
Daniel's face changed.
For the first time, he looked afraid.
Before he could answer, a loudspeaker crackled from somewhere near the loading bay.
“Daniel Price! This is the police! the first time, he looked afraid.
Before he could answer, a loudspeaker crackled from somewhere near the loading bay.
“Daniel Price! This is the police! Put the weapon down!””
Daniel spun around.
I lunged toward him.
The gun went off.
Nia screamed.
Put the weapon down!””
Daniel spun around.
I lunged toward him.
The gun went off.
Nia screamed.
The bullet struck a metal beam above us.
I grabbed Daniel's wrist, and the weapon fell across the concrete.
He punchedThe bullet struck a metal beam above us.
I grabbed Daniel's wrist, and the weapon fell across the concrete.
He punched me in the face.
I staggered.
He kicked the gun away and reached for Nia.
I tackled him before he could get there.
We crashed into a stack of wooden me in the face.
I staggered.
He kicked the gun away and reached for Nia.
I tackled him before he could get there.
We crashed into a stack of wooden pallets.
He struck my ribs.
I hit him back.
For one moment, I saw the face of the pallets.
He struck my ribs.
I hit him back.
For one moment, I saw the face of the man who had ruined my life.
My own face.
The same eyes.
The same jawline.
The same scar beneath the man who had ruined my life.
My own face.
The same eyes.
The same jawline.
The same scar beneath the chin.
“Why?”” I shouted.
“Because I was the unwanted one!””
He drove his elbow into my stomach.
chin.
“Why?”” I shouted.
“Because I was the unwanted one!””
He drove his elbow into my stomach.
I gasped.
“You got the house! The name! The father!””
He pushed me away.
“And I got nothing!””
I struggled toI gasped.
“You got the house! The name! The father!””
He pushed me away.
“And I got nothing!””
I struggled to stand.
“You had a family!””
He laughed bitterly.
“I had strangers!””
Police officers rushed into the warehouse.
Daniel stand.
“You had a family!””
He laughed bitterly.
“I had strangers!””
Police officers rushed into the warehouse.
Daniel reached for the fallen gun.
A detective kicked it away.
Two officers forced him to the ground.
I ran to reached for the fallen gun.
A detective kicked it away.
Two officers forced him to the ground.
I ran to Nia.
“Baby!””
She was crying.
I untied her wrists.
“Are you hurt?””
She shook her head.
Then she grabbed my shirt Nia.
“Baby!””
She was crying.
I untied her wrists.
“Are you hurt?””
She shook her head.
Then she grabbed my shirt.
“Marcus, there's something else.””
I looked at her.
“What?””
She pointed toward Daniel.
He was being handcuffed.
“He wasn't the.
“Marcus, there's something else.””
I looked at her.
“What?””
She pointed toward Daniel.
He was being handcuffed.
“He wasn't the one who ordered my kidnapping.””
I froze.
“What?””
Nia swallowed.
“Daniel was following instructions.””
I turned toward my brother.
“ one who ordered my kidnapping.””
I froze.
“What?””
Nia swallowed.
“Daniel was following instructions.””
I turned toward my brother.
“Whose instructions?””
Daniel lifted his head.
For the first time, he wasn't smiling.
He looked toward the warehouse entrance.
Then he whispered:
“Ask theWhose instructions?””
Daniel lifted his head.
For the first time, he wasn't smiling.
He looked toward the warehouse entrance.
Then he whispered:
May you like
“Ask the woman who raised you.””
woman who raised you.””
