Chapter 8 - THE DEAD MAN
Thomas Vale had built half the waterfront before disappearing.
Officially, he died in a boating accident twelve days after Antonio Moretti’s murder.
No body was recovered.
Norah was beginning to understand that in Gabriel’s world, the absence of a body should never be confused with death.
Margaret poured herself coffee.
Her hands trembled.
“Your grandfather met Thomas six months after Antonio died.”
Gabriel stood across from her.
“Where?”
“Montreal.”
“For what?”
“To exchange evidence.”
“What evidence?”
Margaret looked at Norah.
“Proof that Marcus had been stealing.”
“Then why didn’t they expose him?”
“Because Marcus wasn’t the person they feared most.”
Gabriel’s eyes narrowed.
“Thomas?”
Margaret nodded.
“Samuel discovered that Thomas had created the entire financial network Marcus was using.”
Norah looked down at the puzzle books.
“Marcus was the operator.”
“Thomas was the architect.”
Declan swore softly.
That made sense.
Marcus had legal access.
Victor controlled security.
But somebody had to coordinate both.
Someone old enough to know Antonio’s systems.
Powerful enough to survive his death.
Gabriel’s phone rang.
Marcus.
Everyone looked at it.
Gabriel answered.
“Where are you?”
Marcus sounded irritated.
“I could ask you the same thing.”
“You could.”
“I heard about Victor.”
“Did you?”
“This is getting out of control.”
Gabriel’s eyes moved toward Norah.
“It was under control?”
A pause.
Marcus changed tone.
“Gabriel, listen to me.”
“I am.”
“Declan is manipulating you.”
“Interesting.”
“He created the shell company.”
“Yes.”
“He arranged the theft.”
“No.”
“You don’t know that.”
“My accountant does.”
Marcus went quiet.
Norah felt it immediately.
Not fear.
Recognition.
He knew she had solved something.
Marcus said her name.
“Norah.”
Gabriel put the call on speaker.
“You’re very good at what you do.”
Norah answered.
“So was my grandfather.”
Silence.
Then Marcus exhaled.
“Your mother finally told you.”
“She told me enough.”
“No.”
His voice became strangely sad.
“She told you what Samuel wanted her to believe.”
Margaret’s face tightened.
Marcus continued.
“Thomas Vale did not kill Antonio.”
Gabriel leaned forward.
“Then who did?”
Marcus answered without hesitation.
“I did.”
Nobody moved.
Elena covered her mouth.
Gabriel’s face went completely blank.
Marcus continued.
“But not for the reason you think.”
Gabriel’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“You have ten seconds.”
“Antonio asked me to.”
Norah stared at the phone.
“What?”
“Your father knew Thomas had compromised half the organization.”
Marcus spoke quickly now.
“He knew Thomas intended to kill you, Elena, Isabella, everyone.”
Gabriel gripped the table.
“Why would my father ask you to murder him?”
“He was already dying.”
Silence.
Marcus continued.
“Pancreatic cancer.”
Gabriel looked toward Elena.
She shook her head.
Neither had known.
“Antonio planned his own death to look like a power struggle.”
Marcus’s voice cracked.
“He wanted Thomas to believe the family had been weakened.”
Norah interrupted.
“That doesn’t explain seventeen years of theft.”
“No.”
Marcus sounded tired.
“It doesn’t.”
“Then explain it.”
“I can’t over the phone.”
“Convenient.”
“Norah, the three million dollars were not stolen.”
She frowned.
“They were transferred.”
“Where?”
“Into an escape fund.”
“For whom?”
Marcus paused.
“For Gabriel.”
Gabriel laughed once.
Coldly.
“I have money.”
“Not money Thomas can’t trace.”
That changed everything.
Marcus continued.
“He came back six months ago.”
Gabriel went still.
“And he knows Samuel’s granddaughter is working for you.”
Norah’s stomach tightened.
Marcus spoke the last words very carefully.
“He didn’t attack that safe house to kill Gabriel.”
May you like
Norah understood before he said it.
“He attacked it to take me.”
