Page 38 of Hacker Identified

"The satellites are owned and operated by Nova Satellite Security. The Black brothers are our close friends, and a few years back, we personally asked them to make Haven Ridge a dead zone. This was a place if needed, we could hide, and no facial imaging or software could find someone we wanted to keep hidden from the world."

"At first, I thought maybe Douglas or Angie killed the priest," Kat said. "Except I spent a few hours prying information out of Douglas, and he spilled things about the cult. Yet he had no idea about the murder. But he gave Sophie some information we might be able to use for your mom's case."

A tear ran down my cheek. "But she won't be safe. Dad will try and take her out."

Zane nodded. "We thought the same thing. If, and I mean if, we can get your mom out. She will get released into our custody, and we'll protect her. After some discussions last night. I think it's best to head to Ft. Lauderdale tonight. With Ash on the loose and your father still free, we can protect you both better down south.”

"Might not have to," Antonio said. "Guess who is on the edge of the property? I just got a text from Hannah's dad; he wants to talk to his daughter."

"Absolutely not," Zack growled. "We need to get Hannah to the panic room now."

Except I didn't want to hide. "I want to talk to him."

"It's too dangerous. I won't allow it."

Antonio groaned, and I had the urge to kick Zack in the balls.

"Allow? This is my decision, and if you respect me, you won't stand in my way."

"Fine." Zack sighed. "But you will be by my side the entire time.”

Zane typed on his phone, and the black SUV on the security camera drove forward. My stomach rolled, thinking of the fact I would speak to my father in person for the first time in fifteen years.

Chapter12

Zack

My fingers tapped against the leather armrest of the sofa. Hannah sat next to me in my office. Zane and Antonio planned to meet Watson at the door and pat him down before they allowed him into the room. Everyone else scattered around the property to survey for more danger.

My heart pounded in my chest when Watson stepped into the room. I knew this meeting would be dangerous, but there was no other choice if I wanted him out of Hannah's life forever.

The man smiled at me, but his cold, calculating eyes told a different story. He stepped in our direction, but Antonio grabbed his arm and shoved him into the chair across from us. Zane stood to the side with one hand resting on his gun.

"I've missed you, daughter. Can't you even hug your father?" he asked.

"Why, so you can stab me in the heart like you did Hazel, or do you plan to frame me for a crime as you did to mom?" Hannah asked, her voice holding no emotion.

The man snorted. "You always had a wild imagination. Not sure why you think I did anything to your sister. I've had men searching for her as well for years. And I showed you the note she wrote."

Hannah tensed next to me, and I linked our fingers together. "As you can see with your own eyes. Hannah is perfectly safe. My fiancé doesn't wish to have contact with you, so can I have your word this will be the last time we meet? Or will you send another message like the one left in the church yesterday?"

The man leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "I didn't have Pastor Frank Emerson killed. His death hurts my business," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "The message on the wall is someone playing a game with the both of us. Trying to make it look like I know what happened to your sister."

My stomach twisted into knots. I knew this would be challenging. "You expect us to believe you? Why this meeting?" I asked.

The man leaned forward, a cruel smile twisting his lips. "I came to broker a truce."

Hannah jumped to her feet. "Truce? How about I let Antonio put a bullet through your head, and I can watch you bleed out?"

The man shrugged, unaffected by his daughter's outburst. "I'll agree to take down the bounty and give you the location of Ash. I didn't know he had such a hatred for you. My plan for him was different, and he's caused me more issues than I care to deal with," he said.

"What do you want in return?"

I knew I had no choice. I would do whatever it took to make Hannah's dad drop the bounty, even if it meant getting my hands dirty.

"A pardon for all my alleged crimes," he said.

What he wanted was possible, but it would take time, and many favors called in. I would also have to deal with a ton of backlash.

---