Chapter 9 - The Edge of the Pier
Daniel pulled Leo dangerously close to the absolute edge of the concrete pier.
The dark, freezing ocean water churned violently twenty feet below them.
Daniel pressed his good arm against Leo’s throat, choking the poor boy.
He screamed that if he could not have a perfect life, no one would.
Elena kept the shotgun aimed, but she could not risk hitting Leo.
I slowly stood up, holding my bruised ribs, and raised my hands in surrender.
I begged Daniel to take me instead and let the innocent child go.
Daniel laughed maniacally, blood dripping steadily from his ruined shoulder.
He said he wanted me to live with the pain of losing a child forever.
He shifted his weight and prepared to throw Leo off the towering pier.
I knew I could not reach them in time to stop him physically.
I looked at Daniel and yelled that his syndicate bosses were already here.
Daniel froze in place, his paranoid eyes scanning the foggy darkness.
I told him I had sent the burner phone data to his criminal enemies an hour ago.
The bluff worked perfectly, distracting him for one crucial second.
Leo took the opportunity to bite down aggressively on Daniel’s forearm.
Daniel cursed loudly and loosened his grip in sudden pain.
Leo broke free and sprinted frantically toward my open arms.
I caught my son and shielded his small body with my own.
Daniel realized he had lost his only leverage and tried to run.
He took two steps before his wet shoes slipped on a patch of engine oil.
He lost his balance and fell backward over the edge of the concrete pier.
We heard a loud, sickening splash as he hit the freezing water below.
I held Leo tightly and waited for Daniel to surface.
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The dark water remained completely still, swallowing him whole.
Suddenly, a massive fleet of flashing red and blue lights illuminated the shipyard.
