Chapter 4 - The Wife Came Back From the Dead
Union Station was crowded enough to hide almost anyone.
That was the problem.
Hazel sat near the Great Hall beneath the giant arched windows.
Raymond was somewhere above her.
Frank’s men were scattered through the station.
Hazel checked the clock.
11:58.
11:59.
12:00.
A woman sat beside her.
Hazel turned.
Vivien Castellano wore sunglasses, a cream coat, and flat shoes.
No black gown.
No broken heel.
But Hazel recognized the voice.
“You survived.”
Hazel looked forward.
“So did you.”
Vivien smiled faintly.
“I was never inside.”
“I know.”
“Where’s the case?”
“Money first.”
Vivien handed her a small envelope.
Hazel opened it.
Inside was a bank card and account number.
“You expect me to trust this?”
“No. I expect you to understand that your life will improve considerably if you stop asking questions.”
Hazel looked at her.
“What happened to Rosa?”
Vivien’s smile disappeared.
“Who?”
“Don’t.”
Hazel’s voice sharpened.
“You knew exactly which cleaner would be inside.”
Vivien stood.
“This meeting is over.”
Hazel remained seated.
“Raymond survived too.”
Vivien froze.
For the first time, her perfect calm broke.
She slowly sat again.
“What did you say?”
Hazel watched her.
“You heard me.”
Vivien’s eyes moved across the station.
“You’re lying.”
“Am I?”
“You dragged a body outside.”
“I dragged your husband outside.”
Vivien’s hand tightened around her purse.
“He couldn’t have survived.”
Hazel felt cold.
Not because of the words.
Because of the certainty behind them.
“You sound disappointed.”
Vivien leaned closer.
“You have no idea what kind of man you saved.”
“I know exactly what kind of woman left him there.”
Vivien’s voice dropped.
“Raymond built an empire by making everyone around him dependent on his approval. My brother spent fifteen years living in his shadow.”
“So you burned your husband alive?”
“I removed an obstacle.”
Hazel forced herself not to react.
“And Rosa?”
Vivien’s expression hardened.
“She found documents she had no business reading.”
Hazel’s stomach twisted.
“Did you kill her?”
“I didn’t make her run back into a burning building.”
“You knew she might.”
“Collateral mistakes happen.”
Hazel’s jaw tightened.
From somewhere above, Raymond heard every word through Hazel’s hidden microphone.
Vivien continued.
“The moment Raymond died, Marcus would inherit enough loyalty to reorganize the city.”
“You mean start a war.”
“Wars already exist. Intelligent people simply choose when to profit from them.”
Hazel looked at her.
“And Toby Marsh?”
“What about him?”
“Rosa died searching for him.”
Vivien smiled coldly.
“That was unfortunate.”
Hazel’s chair scraped backward.
Vivien grabbed her wrist.
“Sit.”
Hazel looked down at the hand.
“Take your hand off me.”
“You think Raymond is coming to save you?”
“No.”
Vivien’s smile returned.
“Good.”
Hazel leaned closer.
“I think he’s standing behind you.”
Vivien went completely still.
Raymond’s voice came from over her shoulder.
“She’s right.”
Vivien turned.
Every trace of color left her face.
Raymond stood ten feet away in a dark coat.
His injured hand was bandaged.
His eyes were not.
“Hello, Vivien.”
She whispered, “Raymond.”
He approached.
“You look disappointed.”
Vivien recovered quickly.
“You don’t understand.”
“I heard enough.”
“Marcus forced me.”
Raymond almost laughed.
“I heard you call me an obstacle.”
Her eyes flicked toward the exits.
Men in dark coats appeared at each one.
Raymond stopped beside Hazel.
Vivien looked between them.
“You staged your death.”
“You staged mine first.”
Then another voice shouted across the concourse.
“Raymond!”
Marcus Vale emerged from behind a pillar.
Two men followed him.
Passengers began moving away.
Marcus stared at his sister.
“You told me he was dead.”
Vivien rose.
“He should have been!”
Raymond’s voice remained calm.
“Interesting family.”
Marcus pointed toward Hazel.
“She ruined everything.”
Raymond stepped between them.
“No.”
Marcus laughed.
“You’re protecting a cleaning woman now?”
“She walked into a fire when my own wife walked out.”
Raymond’s gaze hardened.
“You should consider what that means.”
Sirens sounded outside.
Marcus looked toward Vivien.
“What did you tell them?”
“Nothing!”
Raymond smiled faintly.
“Hazel told them everything.”
Federal investigators and Chicago detectives entered the hall.
Vivien backed away.
Marcus looked at Raymond.
“This isn’t over.”
Raymond answered quietly.
May you like
“For you, it is.”
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