Chapter 6 - THE LEDGER OF GHOSTS
Elena Marquez brought Vincent a ledger recovered from an accountant's safe deposit box.
Its pages recorded payments, property seizures, false invoices, and cash deliveries over seven years. The figures connected Costa companies to dozens of small businesses forced into unfavorable sales.
Vincent recognized his own initials beside several entries.
He could not blame Lorenzo for all of it.
“I approved these,” he said.
Elena watched him. “Some. Others were altered later. But yes, your authorization appears on the original records.”
Vincent turned another page.
There was the Elm district. Leo Bell's bakery. A note described the owner as resistant and recommended escalating pressure.
Vincent remembered signing the district expansion order. He had not asked who would be hurt.
“Copy everything for the investigators,” he said.
Elena nodded. “That could lead to charges against you.”
“I understand.”
“I'm obligated to tell you that you have the right not to incriminate yourself.”
“Then tell me what accountability looks like if I decide to cooperate.”
For the first time, Elena looked at him with something other than professional caution.
Meanwhile, Lorenzo was losing patience. Romano's representatives demanded proof that the port concessions were complete. Camila wanted control of the legitimate holdings before Vincent's supposed condition changed.
Neither knew the attempted assassin had been identified. His name was Anton Vale, a contract killer linked to a private security firm that had billed Lorenzo's office for nonexistent consulting work.
The police had not yet charged the conspirators, but investigators were tracing payments and interviewing witnesses.
That night, Vincent visited Tessa at a community center where she was meeting a victim advocate. He stayed outside until she came out.
She stopped when she saw him.
“You promised not to send anyone to watch my door.”
“I didn't. I asked if you would speak to me here, and your advocate said she would pass along the invitation. You said yes.”
Tessa remembered agreeing. She had not expected him to come alone.
“What do you want?”
“To apologize.”
“For what?”
“The bakery. The district. The things I approved because I preferred not to see the people affected.”
She crossed her arms carefully against her healing ribs.
“An apology doesn't reopen a business.”
“No. I've authorized a restitution fund administered independently, and the records are going to investigators. Your brother can make a claim, or he can refuse. He owes me nothing.”
Tessa studied his face.
“You really did hear me while you were lying there.”
“Every word.”
“And you didn't get angry?”
“I did.”
“At me?”
“At first. Then at myself.”
She looked away, unsettled by the answer.
A bus hissed to a stop at the curb.
Tessa adjusted her coat.
“I'm not ready to forgive you.”
May you like
Vincent stepped aside so she could pass.
“I haven't asked you to.”
