Chapter 5 - The Betrayer Inside the Gates
Vincent's attack gave us one advantage.
He believed we'd panic.
Instead, we started watching.
Marcus reviewed every security log from the previous six weeks.
At 2:14 the next morning, he entered my office.
“We found him.”
“Who?”
He placed a tablet on my desk.
Anthony Moretti.
My captain.
My friend for nine years.
The footage showed Anthony accessing a restricted security terminal.
Then deleting a log.
Maria stood beside me.
“Can you prove he contacted Vincent?”
Marcus nodded.
“Burner phone was found inside his vehicle.”
I leaned back.
Another betrayal.
Maria watched me carefully.
“What are you thinking?”
“That my father was right.”
“About what?”
“Everybody leaves.”
Maria shook her head.
“That's not what happened.”
I looked at her.
“Vincent betrayed me. Anthony betrayed me. My brother helped them.”
“And Gabriel died trying to warn you.”
Silence.
She continued.
“Marcus is still here.”
Marcus awkwardly looked away.
“And Sofia thinks you're the greatest person alive because you let her eat chocolate cake for breakfast.”
“That was classified information.”
Maria almost smiled.
Then Marcus interrupted.
“Anthony's leaving his room.”
We moved.
Anthony reached the garage before us.
I stepped from behind a pillar.
“Going somewhere?”
He stopped.
Marcus appeared behind him.
Anthony slowly raised his hands.
“Daniel.”
“Don't.”
“Vincent threatened my family.”
“So you sold mine?”
“I didn't have a choice.”
“There is always a choice.”
Anthony's eyes moved toward Maria.
“You don't understand what she brought into this house.”
I stepped closer.
“Careful.”
“Vincent wants the evidence.”
“He's not getting it.”
“Then he'll come for the girl.”
Maria went white.
My voice became quiet.
“If Vincent goes near Sofia, there isn't a city on earth far enough away to hide him.”
Anthony laughed bitterly.
“See? That's exactly what he wanted.”
“What?”
“To make you care.”
I stared at him.
“He said Daniel Hale with nothing to lose couldn't be controlled. So we needed to give you something.”
Maria whispered, “Sofia.”
Anthony nodded.
“He knows.”
I grabbed Anthony's jacket.
“How?”
“I told him.”
Marcus pulled me back.
“Boss.”
Anthony was breathing hard.
“He wants a trade. Gabriel's evidence for Maria and Sofia's safety.”
Maria immediately said, “No.”
I turned.
She repeated it.
“No.”
“This isn't your decision.”
“It absolutely is.”
“Sofia is four.”
“Which is why I won't teach her that monsters get what they want because decent people are afraid.”
I stared at Maria.
“You're calling me decent?”
“Don't let it go to your head.”
Despite everything, I smiled.
Then Michael entered.
“I can get Vincent.”
I looked at him.
“You're done helping.”
“Daniel, listen.”
“No.”
“I know where he'll make the exchange.”
“How?”
“Because it's where he met Gabriel the night he died.”
Maria froze.
Michael continued.
“I've carried this for four years. Let me fix part of it.”
“You can't fix Gabriel.”
“I know.”
He looked at Maria.
“But maybe I can help protect his daughter.”
Maria said nothing.
Finally she nodded once.
I looked at Michael.
“Where?”
“The old Hale Construction terminal.”
I understood immediately.
Vincent had chosen the place deliberately.
The place where my empire had begun.
And where Gabriel's life had effectively ended.
“Fine.”
I picked up Gabriel's evidence.
May you like
“Let's finish it.”
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