Chapter 4 - The Man Sitting at His Own Funeral
Sebastian Vale believed Adrian was dead by midnight.
That was the story we gave him.
A private ambulance left Adrian’s building.
News leaked that the billionaire had suffered a sudden cardiac event.
His companies refused comment.
Financial reporters went insane.
Adrian watched the coverage from a safe apartment in Brooklyn.
“You’re enjoying this,” I said.
“Watching people lie about me?”
“Yes.”
“A little.”
His phone displayed condolences from politicians, bankers, developers and celebrities.
Then Sebastian called.
Adrian let it ring.
I stared at him.
“You’re not answering?”
“Dead men rarely do.”
I laughed before I could stop myself.
Adrian looked at me.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You laughed.”
“You made a joke.”
“I occasionally do.”
“I’ll alert the media.”
His mouth twitched.
For the first time, I saw Adrian Duca as something other than the man people feared.
Then Luca entered.
“Vale scheduled an emergency meeting tomorrow night.”
“Who’s attending?”
“Everyone Vincent was connected to.”
Adrian stood.
“Good.”
I knew that tone.
“You’re going.”
“Yes.”
“They think you’re dead.”
“That’s why it’ll be memorable.”
The meeting took place inside a private club in Midtown.
I stayed in a surveillance van with Luca.
Sebastian stood before twelve men.
“With Adrian gone,” he said, “Duca’s interests need stability.”
One man frowned.
“His body isn’t cold.”
Sebastian smiled.
“Business doesn’t mourn.”
Then the doors opened.
Adrian walked in.
Nobody breathed.
“Fortunately,” he said, “neither do I.”
Sebastian’s face went white.
Adrian walked to the head of the table.
“That’s my chair.”
Sebastian slowly stood.
Adrian sat.
“What happened?” Sebastian asked.
“You poisoned the wrong glass.”
Sebastian looked around.
Nobody moved to help him.
Then his eyes narrowed.
“The maid.”
Adrian’s expression changed instantly.
“Careful.”
Sebastian laughed.
“A cleaning girl nearly destroyed everything.”
“No,” Adrian said. “You destroyed everything when you underestimated her.”
Police sirens approached outside.
Sebastian stared toward the windows.
“What did you do?”
“I made sure Mr. Hale’s recordings reached the right people.”
“This organization doesn’t involve police.”
“This isn’t the organization.”
Adrian leaned back.
“This is attempted murder, conspiracy, fraud and enough financial evidence to keep federal prosecutors entertained for years.”
Sebastian’s confidence disappeared.
“You think they won’t investigate you too?”
“They probably will.”
“And?”
Adrian shrugged.
“I have expensive lawyers.”
Sebastian lunged toward the door.
It opened before he reached it.
Federal agents entered.
The empire Sebastian had spent years trying to steal collapsed in less than five minutes.
But Adrian wasn’t looking at him.
He was looking through the security camera.
May you like
At me.
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