Chapter 7 - THE EMPIRE OPENS ITS BOOKS
The investigation expanded.
Old shell companies.
North Vale.
Medical payments.
Vendor contracts.
Security firms.
False identities.
Vincent’s network touched legitimate and illegitimate operations.
Some connected to me.
I cooperated where my counsel advised.
Not saintly.
Strategic.
Daniel’s captivity mattered more than preserving every structure I inherited.
Miriam told me:
“This could cost you.”
“I know.”
“Control.”
“I know.”
“Money.”
“I know.”
“Freedom, depending on what emerges.”
I looked at her.
“I know.”
She sighed.
“Good. I hate brave clients.”
The evidence against Vincent became overwhelming.
Claire’s records mattered.
Dr. Park’s testimony mattered.
Financial transfers mattered.
Facility staff mattered.
Daniel’s own statements mattered where medically reliable.
No dramatic single piece.
A wall built brick by brick.
Vincent attempted to disappear.
Failed.
Not because I hunted him.
Because financial restrictions and surveillance narrowed his options.
When arrested, he looked old.
Much older than the man who raised me.
I felt nothing triumphant.
Only tired.
Daniel asked:
“Dead?”
“No.”
He looked disappointed.
I laughed.
“Lawyers.”
He managed a faint smile.
May you like
Good.
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