Chapter 2 - The Brother Who Died Twice
Within five minutes, Vale House changed.
Steel shutters descended over the lower windows.
Electronic locks sealed the gates.
Security lights illuminated forty acres of grounds.
Roman led Claire upstairs.
“Stay beside me.”
“I’m not a child.”
“No. You’re the only witness.”
“That isn't comforting.”
“It wasn't supposed to be.”
They entered Roman's private study.
Marcus Hale arrived first.
He was fifty-three, gray-haired, and had managed Roman’s security for fourteen years.
“What happened?”
Roman placed the bypass device on his desk.
Marcus stared at it.
“Where did you get that?”
“Basement.”
Marcus’s expression changed.
“Impossible.”
“Apparently not.”
Roman watched him carefully.
“Who can disable the east gate?”
“You. Me. Daniel. Mrs. Carter. Anthony and—”
Marcus stopped.
Roman finished.
“Julian.”
Claire looked between them.
Marcus whispered, “Julian is dead.”
“Claire heard his name tonight.”
Marcus stared at her.
“From whom?”
Roman didn't answer.
Instead, he asked, “Where were you at midnight?”
Marcus bristled.
“You think I opened the gate?”
“I think somebody did.”
“I've protected you for fourteen years.”
“And I'm giving you the opportunity to make it fifteen.”
Marcus exhaled.
“I was in the security office. Anthony was with me until one.”
“Bring Anthony.”
Ten minutes later, Anthony Vale entered.
Roman’s twenty-eight-year-old cousin looked irritated.
“What is this?”
“Sit.”
“I was sleeping.”
“Then you'll appreciate the chair.”
Anthony sat.
Roman slid the bypass device across the desk.
Anthony's face changed.
Claire noticed.
Roman did too.
“You recognize it.”
“No.”
“You looked like you did.”
“I've seen hacking equipment before.”
“Where?”
Anthony shrugged.
“Movies?”
Roman leaned across the desk.
“Try again.”
Anthony’s confidence disappeared.
“I don't know anything.”
Roman's phone rang.
Unknown number.
Everyone went silent.
Roman answered.
“Speak.”
A familiar voice said, “Still giving orders like Dad?”
Roman's face emptied of emotion.
“Julian.”
Claire stared at him.
A quiet laugh came through the phone.
“Hello, brother.”
“You're dead.”
“Apparently I'm having a remarkable recovery.”
Roman stood.
“What do you want?”
“What was always mine.”
“You disappeared twelve years ago.”
“I was forced out.”
“You drove drunk, killed a man, stole from the family, and ran before Dad could turn you over to the police.”
Anthony looked at the floor.
Roman noticed.
Julian laughed again.
“Still telling that version?”
“What version should I tell?”
“The true one.”
Roman's eyes narrowed.
“You have something I need,” Julian continued.
“What?”
“A ledger.”
Roman said nothing.
“The blue ledger Dad kept.”
“I don't have it.”
“Yes, you do.”
“If I had it, why would you care?”
“Because it contains every account, every payoff, every politician, every business partner your father ever bought.”
Roman's gaze shifted toward Anthony.
Anthony suddenly looked nervous.
Julian continued.
“Give me the ledger by sunrise.”
“Or?”
“Or the next person bleeding in your kitchen won't be a stranger.”
Roman's eyes went to Claire.
Julian laughed softly.
“You should ask your maid why she really came to work for you.”
The call ended.
Silence.
Roman turned toward Claire.
She looked genuinely confused.
“I don't know what he means.”
Anthony suddenly stood.
“I’m leaving.”
Roman blocked him.
“No one leaves.”
“You can't imprison your own family.”
Roman stepped closer.
“Someone opened my gate tonight.”
Anthony backed away.
Roman's gaze dropped.
Mud.
A thin strip of wet mud covered Anthony’s right shoe.
It hadn't rained since midnight.
But the path beside the east gate remained soaked from the sprinklers.
Roman looked up.
“Take off your shoe.”
May you like
Anthony went pale.
---
