Chapter 5 - THE SECRET VINCENT NEVER TOLD
Vincent had been twenty-six when Michael Hayes disappeared.
At the time, Thomas Russo still controlled the organization.
Michael had been hired to modify the estate's underground elevator system.
He discovered a concealed level used for storing financial records and valuables.
But Michael also discovered something dangerous.
Evidence of illegal payments between Thomas Russo and Carmine Gallow.
The two men had secretly cooperated while publicly pretending to be enemies.
Their arrangement involved money laundering, corrupt contracts, and hidden assets.
Michael threatened to report what he'd found.
Thomas tried to silence him.
A confrontation followed.
Michael was injured.
Vincent arrived too late to prevent it.
He remembered blood.
Shouting.
And his father's rage.
Michael was taken away by Thomas's men.
Vincent believed he had died.
But he had never seen a body.
Nora listened in silence.
Her hands trembled.
“You knew?”
Vincent looked down.
“I knew something happened.”
“And you never told anyone?”
“I was afraid.”
Nora stared.
The most feared man in New York had just admitted something she never expected.
Fear.
But it didn't excuse what he'd done.
“My mother spent ten years waiting for him.”
Vincent closed his eyes.
“I know.”
Nora stepped backward.
“No.”
Her voice broke.
May you like
“You don't know.”
Then she turned and walked out.
