Chapter 13 - The Brother’s Shadow
Victor Vale disappeared before sunrise.
His Lake Forest home was empty.
The cars remained.
His passport remained.
Even his medication remained.
But Victor had taken one photograph from the wall.
A photograph of himself and Adrian’s father as young men.
Adrian studied the empty frame.
Thomas searched Victor’s office.
Behind a bookshelf, they discovered a burner phone.
There was only one recent call.
Marcus.
And one unsent message.
HE KNOWS TOO MUCH.
Adrian looked at Thomas.
“About what?”
Thomas shook his head.
“We already know about the money.”
“Maybe Victor meant something else.”
Adrian searched the desk himself.
Inside the lowest drawer was a sealed legal envelope.
It contained a copy of Nicholas Vale’s original will.
Adrian read the succession clause.
Then stopped.
A handwritten amendment appeared on the final page.
If Adrian Vale produces a lawful heir, all voting control transfers to that heir’s trust upon Adrian’s death.
If the heir dies before Adrian, succession returns to Victor Vale.
Adrian understood.
Victor had never needed Adrian dead immediately.
He only needed Lily dead first.
Then he could wait.
Or arrange Adrian’s death later.
Thomas pointed toward another paragraph.
“There.”
Adrian read.
If Victor Vale is found to have acted against any lawful Vale heir, all rights of succession are permanently revoked.
Adrian almost smiled.
“My father knew.”
“He suspected.”
“No.”
Adrian closed the document.
“He knew exactly what Victor was capable of.”
Then a sound came from upstairs.
A floorboard.
Thomas drew his weapon.
Adrian moved toward the hallway.
They reached the kitchen.
Victor stood beside the back door.
He looked exhausted.
Older.
For the first time in Adrian’s life, frightened.
Thomas aimed at him.
Victor raised his hands.
“I came alone.”
Adrian stared.
“Why?”
“Marcus is going to kill me.”
Adrian almost laughed.
“You hired him.”
“I used him.”
“No.”
Victor shook his head.
“I thought I did.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
Victor sat slowly.
“Marcus stopped working for me months ago.”
“He moved money I never authorized.”
“He created accounts I didn’t know existed.”
“He was building his own organization.”
Thomas frowned.
“So Evelyn wasn’t killed only because of the succession.”
Victor looked at Adrian.
“She discovered Marcus was stealing from both of us.”
Adrian’s voice hardened.
“You still ordered her death.”
Victor looked away.
“Yes.”
The admission hung between them.
Adrian took one step forward.
Thomas moved subtly between them.
Victor whispered.
“I thought killing her would protect what was mine.”
“And Lily?”
Victor closed his eyes.
“I ordered that too.”
Adrian’s hand curled.
Victor looked at him.
“I won’t ask forgiveness.”
“Good.”
“But Marcus is worse than you understand.”
Adrian leaned closer.
“Then help me understand.”
Victor swallowed.
“He didn’t arrange one ambush.”
“He arranged three.”
Adrian went still.
Victor continued.
“Evelyn was first.”
“Lily was second.”
“And you were always third.”
Before Adrian could respond, the kitchen window exploded inward.
Thomas dragged Adrian down.
A bullet struck Victor in the shoulder.
Victor collapsed.
Outside, an engine roared.
May you like
Marcus Reed had found them first.
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