Jason Blackwell's Rise To Power

CHAPTER 9

The car moved through the darkness at full speed. Jason sat quietly in the back seat, staring at the photograph of his father.

Marcus sat opposite him.

For several minutes, neither man spoke.

Finally, Jason broke the silence, "How far?"

"Twenty minutes."

Jason looked at him, "You said the estate was destroyed."

"It was."

"Then why are we going there?" Jason asked. 

"Because if your father left something behind, that's where he would have hidden it."

Jason looked down at the photograph, "Did you ever go there after he disappeared?"

"Once."

"What did you find?" Jason asked.

"Nothing."

Jason frowned, "Nothing?"

"The entire property had been burned."

"Then why do you think something is still there?" Jason asked, confused.

Marcus looked out the window, "Because your father never trusted banks."

Jason gave a faint smile, "Apparently, neither do I anymore."

Marcus looked at him, "There's something else you need to know."

"What?"

"The Blackwell estate wasn't destroyed by an accident."

Jason's expression hardened, "Who burned it?"

"We don't know."

"You keep saying that." Jason snapped.

"Because that's the truth."

Jason leaned forward. "But someone knows."

Marcus nodded, "Yes."

"Who?"

"Your mother."

Jason stared at him, "Then we must find her."

The vehicle suddenly slowed and Jason immediately looked outside. A massive iron gate appeared through the trees.

The gate was rusted and partially covered with vines. Beyond it stood the remains of an enormous mansion.

Jason stared at it, "This is it."

Marcus nodded.

Jason stepped out of the vehicle. The cold wind moved through the trees.

He walked toward the gate and for some reason, the place felt familiar. He couldn't explain why.

"I remember this."

Marcus looked at him, "You were six."

"I remember my father carrying me through that gate." Jason placed his hand against the rusted metal, "He told me this was our home."

Marcus remained silent.

Jason pushed the gate and it opened with a long metallic creak.

They entered.

The mansion stood in complete darkness.

Jason looked around. "What happened here?"

"Fire."

"Twenty-nine years ago?" Jason asked.

"Yes."

Jason walked toward the entrance.

The doors were damaged, but one of them suddenly moved.

Jason stopped. "Did you touch that?"

Marcus shook his head. "No."

Jason slowly pushed the door open.The inside was covered in dust as broken furniture lay everywhere.

But something caught Jason's attention. A small table stood in the middle of the room, and on it was a brand-new black envelope.

Jason approached it and saw that it was his name written across the front.

He looked at Marcus, "Someone knew we were coming."

Marcus immediately drew his weapon, "Step back."

Jason ignored him and picked up the envelope.

Inside was another message.

IF YOU FOUND THIS, THEY FAILED TO STOP YOU.

Jason's eyes narrowed. Below the message was an address.

Marcus looked over his shoulder, "That's an old warehouse district."

Jason looked at him, "What is there?"

"Nothing."

Jason folded the paper, "Then why would my father leave an address there?"

Marcus didn't answer.

Suddenly, a sound came from upstairs.

Jason looked up, "Someone's here."

Marcus raised his weapon, "Stay behind me."

They slowly climbed the staircase. At the end of the hallway was a closed door.

Jason stopped as he recognized it,"My father's study."

Marcus looked surprised. "You remember it?"

"Yes."

Jason reached for the handle.

Marcus stopped him. "Wait."

"Why?"

"There could be a trap."

Jason looked at him. "Everything has been a trap since I met you."

Marcus slowly released his hand.

Jason opened the door.

The room was almost completely destroyed. Books were scattered across the floor, the windows were broken, 

but one wall remained untouched.

A large portrait of Richard Blackwell hung there.

Jason approached it as he stared at his father's face.

Then he noticed something. "Marcus."

"What?"

"Look at the eyes." Jason stated.

Marcus stepped closer.

Jason touched the portrait, "The eyes are different."

Marcus examined it, "There's a hidden compartment."

They moved the portrait. Behind it was a metal safe.

Jason looked at Marcus, "Do you know the combination?"

"No."

Jason stared at the safe, then something came back to him. A childhood memory of his father sitting beside him.

A quiet voice, "When you forget everything else, remember the first day you met me."

Jason whispered, "December twenty-third."

The safe remained locked.

Marcus frowned, "Try again."

Jason thought for a moment, then he remembered.

"The first thing my father gave me. He entered another number.

The safe clicked.

Marcus stared. "It worked."

Jason opened the safe. Inside was a small computer drive, several documents, and an old photograph.

Jason picked up the photograph. It was a photograph of his father stood beside his mother.

But they weren't alone.

A young Christopher stood behind them.

Jason's face changed. "The Hales knew my father."

Marcus nodded. "Apparently."

Jason picked up the documents. The first page contained a single statement.

THE HALE FAMILY WAS NEVER YOUR ENEMY.

Jason frowned. "What?"

Marcus looked over his shoulder.

Jason continued reading.

THEY WERE PROTECTING YOU.

He stared at the page. "That can't be right."

Another page followed.

DAVINA WAS TOLD TO MARRY JASON BLACKWELL FOR HIS PROTECTION.

Jason's breathing stopped. "She knew?"

Marcus said nothing.

Jason kept reading.

SHE WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM.

His fingers tightened around the paper. "She loved me?"

Marcus looked at him. "I don't know."

Jason turned the page and the final message was written in his father's handwriting.

JASON, IF YOU ARE READING THIS, IT MEANS THE PLAN FAILED.

Jason's heart pounded.

YOUR MOTHER IS SAFE.

He froze.

Marcus looked at him. "Jason..."

Jason continued reading.

SHE WAS NEVER KIDNAPPED.

His eyes widened.

SHE LEFT THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE SHE KNOWS THE TRUTH.

Jason dropped the paper. "What truth?"

A voice suddenly came from behind them. "Mine."

Jason spun around.

A woman stood in the doorway.

Jason's eyes widened. "Mom?"

His mother looked weak, but she was standing.

Jason rushed toward her. "How are you here?"

She raised a trembling hand. "Don't come closer."

Jason stopped. "Mom?"

Tears filled her eyes. "I wanted to tell you everything."

"Then tell me."

She looked at Marcus. "You brought him here."

Marcus lowered his weapon. "Your son deserves the truth."

Jason stared at both of them. "What truth?"

His mother looked directly into his eyes. "Your father is alive."

Jason's entire body went still. "Where?"

She swallowed. "He's the one who started the test."

Jason's eyes widened. "What?"

His mother stepped forward. "And he's waiting for you."

Suddenly, the lights inside the mansion came on.

A large screen hidden behind the portrait activated and aman's face appeared.

Jason stopped breathing.

Older.

His hair was gray, but the face was unmistakable.

Richard Blackwell.

Jason whispered, "Father..."

Richard looked directly at the camera. "Jason."

The screen flickered.

Then Richard said the words that changed everything. "Tomorrow, you will have to choose between your fortune..."

He paused. "...and your family."

Then the screen suddenly went black.

Jason stared at it.

His mother began to cry and Marcus looked toward the windows.

Then he heard something outside.

Cars.

Several cars.

Marcus immediately turned. "They found us."

Jason looked at him. "Who?"

Marcus raised his weapon. "The people your father warned you about."

Outside, headlights appeared through the trees.

One after another.

Then a familiar voice came through the mansion's speakers.

Christian.

"Jason..."

A pause….."Welcome home."