Chapter 14 - THE LAST CHOICEThree taps.
Two taps.
Three taps.
Viktor stared at the paused video.
Rebecca stood beside him.
“What is it?”
He pointed toward Milan's hand.
“The signal.”
“What signal?”
“When we were kids, Milan and I used to communicate by tapping on walls.”
Rebecca leaned closer.
Viktor continued.
“Three-two-three meant one thing.”
“What?”
“Home.”
Rebecca frowned.
“Your childhood apartment?”
Viktor shook his head.
“No.”
He looked toward the photograph of the community garden.
“There's an abandoned building behind the garden. We used to call it home because we'd hide there when our father was angry.”
Rebecca's expression changed.
“Are you certain?”
Viktor nodded.
“Milan knows I'd remember.”
Within minutes, federal agents began preparing a rescue operation.
The building was an abandoned community center near the old neighborhood.
Its windows were boarded.
The roof had partially collapsed.
According to property records, Meridian Health Research had purchased the land through a shell company years earlier.
Viktor felt cold.
Bennett had taken Milan to a place connected to their childhood.
A place filled with memories.
A place where two frightened boys had once hidden from violence.
Now one of them was being held there by the man who murdered their mother.
Rebecca approached Viktor.
“You're staying here.”
Viktor shook his head.
“No.”
“This isn't a negotiation.”
“That's my brother.”
“And we're going to bring him home.”
Viktor looked toward the hospital room.
Gabriel had regained consciousness an hour earlier.
He was weak.
Barely able to speak.
But when Viktor told him about Milan, the detective had gripped his hand.
“Don't become Bennett,” Gabriel whispered.
Viktor hadn't understood immediately.
Then Gabriel continued.
“Bring your brother home. But don't lose yourself doing it.”
Now Viktor looked at Rebecca.
“I won't interfere.”
She studied him.
“I need your word.”
“You have it.”
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
Viktor was transported to a mobile command post several blocks from the community center, where he remained under armed supervision.
Agents surrounded the building.
Negotiators attempted contact.
No response.
Then a shot rang out from inside.
Viktor jumped.
Rebecca spoke urgently into her radio.
“Hold positions.”
Another shot.
Then silence.
Viktor felt his heart pounding.
“Milan.”
Rebecca looked toward the building.
A moment later, her radio crackled.
“We have movement.”
A figure appeared at an upper window.
Bennett.
He held Milan in front of him.
A pistol was pressed against his head.
Viktor stepped forward.
An agent blocked him.
“Stay back.”
Bennett shouted from the window.
“VIKTOR!”
Viktor froze.
Bennett laughed.
“I know you're out there!”
Rebecca looked at him.
“Don't answer.”
But Viktor understood something.
Bennett wanted him.
Not the evidence.
Not anymore.
He wanted the man whose life he had destroyed.
Viktor stepped toward the radio microphone at the command post.
Rebecca caught his arm.
“Viktor.”
He looked at her.
“Let me talk to him.”
She hesitated.
Then nodded to the negotiator.
The microphone was activated.
Viktor took a breath.
“Bennett.”
A pause.
Then laughter.
“There he is.”
Viktor looked toward the building.
“Let Milan go.”
“Bring me the evidence.”
“You know I can't.”
“Then your brother dies.”
Viktor closed his eyes.
He thought of his mother.
Of Gabriel.
Of Jeanne.
Of all the families whose names filled the archive.
Then he spoke.
“You've spent seven years making people afraid.”
Bennett said nothing.
Viktor continued.
“You killed my mother because she wouldn't give you what you wanted. You framed me because you thought prison would silence me. You manipulated my brother because you knew he loved me.”
His voice trembled.
“But you made one mistake.”
Bennett laughed.
“What mistake?”
“You thought love made us weak.”
For several seconds, silence filled the radio.
Then Viktor continued.
“It doesn't.”
Bennett's voice became cold.
“You have thirty seconds.”
Viktor looked at Rebecca.
She gave a subtle nod.
The tactical team was moving.
He needed to keep Bennett talking.
“You want me?” Viktor asked.
“Yes.”
“Then let Milan go.”
Bennett laughed.
“Come inside.”
Viktor looked toward the building.
Rebecca shook her head.
“No.”
But before anyone could respond, Milan's voice suddenly came through the radio.
“VIKTOR!”
A struggle sounded.
Then a gunshot.
The radio went silent.
Viktor felt the world stop.
Rebecca shouted orders.
Agents moved.
A flash of light erupted from the building.
Then another.
Seconds later, the tactical team entered.
Viktor stood motionless.
He couldn't breathe.
Couldn't think.
Couldn't move.
Then Rebecca's radio crackled.
“Suspect in custody.”
Viktor closed his eyes.
Another voice followed.
“One hostage located.”
A pause.
Too long.
Far too long.
May you like
Then the words came.
“Hostage has a gunshot wound. We need a medic immediately.”
