Chapter 10 - THE BRAKE LINE
Stone security stopped the vehicle before it left the garage.
A technician found the electronic brake controller had been replaced.
At highway speed, a remote signal could have disabled the brakes.
Harold carried the transmitter.
Investigators traced the replacement part to a contractor connected to Colin.
Michael planned to kill Gabriel after Victoria disappeared.
Without Gabriel or Victoria, Mia would inherit control of Stone Holdings.
Michael would control Mia.
Harold would control Michael.
At least, that was what Harold believed.
The blue-room messages showed Michael planned to betray him too.
He intended to frame Harold for every death.
The conspiracy had no loyalty.
Only temporary usefulness.
Colin pleaded guilty and began cooperating.
He revealed Harold’s final safe house.
A luxury hotel under construction beside the Chicago River.
Stone Holdings owned the property.
Harold had access through his former board position.
The upper floors remained unfinished.
He stored weapons and cash inside a mechanical room.
Federal agents prepared a raid.
Gabriel insisted on joining the command team but remained outside the building.
He had learned something from Victoria’s hospital room.
Protection did not always mean entering first.
Harold called him from the forty-second floor.
“I have something you want.”
“What?”
“Elena.”
Gabriel looked toward the hospital security feed.
Elena had left twenty minutes earlier to visit Luis.
Her car was found abandoned near the river.
Harold had taken her.
He demanded Victoria’s original share certificates.
Gabriel said they no longer existed in transferable form.
Harold did not believe him.
He sent a photograph.
Elena sat on the unfinished floor with her wrists bound.
The river lights shone behind her.
Harold held a gun near her shoulder.
“Bring the documents.”
“Or the maid falls.”
Gabriel’s voice became colder.
“Her name is Elena.”
Harold laughed.
“That is the difference between us.”
“You remember the names of people beneath you.”
“No.”
May you like
Gabriel looked toward the tactical map.
“That is the difference between a leader and a coward.”
