Chapter 4 - The Betrayal at Table Seven
Dominic’s phone contained no names.
Only numbers, coded messages, and one repeated phrase.
The Crown is ready to fall.
Sarah spread printed records across Vincent’s library table.
Paul pointed at a number.
“This one called Dominic twelve times last week.”
“Prepaid phone,” Sarah said. “Registered under a false name.”
Marcus entered carrying coffee.
“Security footage from the restaurant.”
Sarah connected the drive to a laptop.
The video showed Dominic arriving early.
He spoke to Marcus.
He entered the restroom.
Then, twelve minutes later, a waiter Sarah did not recognize approached table seven.
“Pause,” she said.
Marcus leaned closer.
“That’s not one of ours.”
The man bent beneath the table for less than three seconds.
The transmitter appeared afterward.
Vincent said, “Find his face.”
Sarah enlarged the image.
Paul stared at the screen.
“I know him.”
“Who?” Vincent asked.
“Daniel Voss. He works security for Anthony Bellini.”
The room went quiet.
Anthony Bellini controlled gambling operations across three states. For years, he had presented himself as Vincent’s ally.
Vincent’s voice hardened.
“Bellini wants the ports.”
“And Dominic promised them to him after you died,” Sarah said.
Marcus looked toward the cellar door.
“Then let’s make Dominic talk.”
“No,” Sarah replied.
Marcus frowned.
“He betrayed us.”
“He expects violence. Fear will make him invent answers.”
Vincent asked, “What do you suggest?”
“Give him hope.”
They brought Dominic into the library.
His jacket was gone. His hair had fallen over his forehead.
Vincent poured two glasses of whiskey.
He placed one in front of Dominic.
Dominic looked suspicious.
“What is this?”
“A farewell drink,” Vincent said.
Dominic glanced at Sarah.
She stood near the window.
Vincent continued.
“You were right about one thing. I am tired.”
Dominic said nothing.
“I don’t want another war with Bellini.”
The name made Dominic blink.
Sarah noticed.
Vincent smiled faintly.
“You always had terrible control of your eyes.”
Dominic pushed the glass away.
“What do you want?”
“A meeting with Bellini.”
“He won’t come.”
“He will if you tell him I’m willing to surrender the ports.”
Dominic laughed.
“You expect me to believe you’ll let me leave?”
Sarah stepped forward.
“You arrange the meeting. You testify against Bellini and everyone involved in the assassination attempt. In return, Vincent does not kill you.”
Dominic looked at Vincent.
“She controls you now?”
“No,” Vincent said. “She reminds me that prison lasts longer than revenge.”
Dominic studied both of them.
“And if I refuse?”
Vincent picked up the whiskey.
“Then Bellini learns you failed, and we return you to the street.”
For the first time, Dominic looked truly frightened.
Bellini did not forgive failure.
Dominic lowered his voice.
“He wants a meeting tomorrow night.”
“Where?” Sarah asked.
“An abandoned hotel near the river.”
“How many men?”
“He told me to bring Vincent alone.”
Sarah smiled without humor.
“So at least twenty.”
Dominic looked at her.
“Keller will be there.”
“Good.”
Vincent turned sharply.
“Good?”
“He expects you to be afraid of him.”
“I am not.”
“You should be. Fear keeps people alive.”
Dominic gave them the location.
After Paul returned him to the cellar, Vincent approached Sarah.
“You are not going to that meeting.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Keller wants you there.”
“He will focus on me.”
“That is exactly the problem.”
“No. It is the advantage.”
Vincent shook his head.
“I won’t use you as bait.”
“You used men as bait for thirty years.”
“Not you.”
Sarah held his gaze.
“Why am I different?”
Vincent looked away.
She waited.
Finally, he said, “Because you stood between me and death when you had no reason to.”
“That does not mean you owe me ownership.”
“I’m trying to keep you alive.”
“Then trust me.”
He faced her again.
“I trusted Dominic.”
“I’m not Dominic.”
“That is why losing you would be worse.”
The words surprised both of them.
Vincent cleared his throat.
Sarah’s expression softened, but only slightly.
“We can do this without killing anyone,” she said.
Vincent looked doubtful.
“Bellini is not going to walk into a police station and confess.”
“He doesn’t need to. Dominic will wear a wire. We will record the meeting. Federal agents can arrest Bellini afterward.”
Vincent stared at her.
“You already contacted the government.”
“I contacted someone I trust.”
“You said your route was betrayed by an insider.”
“One insider. Not everyone.”
Vincent moved closer.
“And what happens to me after the agents hear Bellini discussing my business?”
“You give them something better.”
“What?”
“The ports. The gambling accounts. The officials Bellini bought.”
“That would destroy half my organization.”
Sarah’s answer was immediate.
“You said you wanted out.”
“I want my family safe.”
“This is how you make them safe.”
Vincent looked around the library, at the paintings, the expensive shelves, and the life built from fear.
“My wife asked me to leave this world before she died,” he said.
“What did you tell her?”
“That it was too late.”
Sarah shook her head.
“It is only too late when you are dead.”
Vincent gave a quiet laugh.
“You speak like someone who believes in second chances.”
“I don’t.”
“Then why are you giving me one?”
May you like
Sarah picked up the photograph of Grace from the desk.
“Because your daughter should be able to tell her children who their grandfather really became.”
