Chapter 10 - THE REAPER WHO CHOSE MERCY
Victor Hale was arrested two days later.
Investigators located him at a private airfield.
He was preparing to leave the country.
The evidence against him was extensive.
Financial records.
Communications.
Witness statements.
Connections to the missing warehouse workers.
And evidence linking him to Jackson's abduction.
The case revealed a criminal operation operating through several shipping facilities.
Victor had used legitimate routes to conceal illegal activity.
He'd diverted money.
Threatened employees.
And arranged Jackson's disappearance when the boss began asking questions.
Jackson watched the news from his office.
Reed stood beside him.
“It's over.”
Jackson shook his head.
“Not yet.”
Reed frowned.
“What do you mean?”
Jackson looked at him.
“Victor used my company.”
Reed nodded.
“Yes.”
“He used systems I built.”
Silence.
Jackson continued.
“I created an organization where people were afraid to question orders.”
Reed looked down.
“And Victor exploited that.”
For years, Jackson had told himself that loyalty meant obedience.
Now he understood how dangerous that belief had become.
He called his attorney.
“I want a full independent review.”
The attorney hesitated.
“Of everything?”
Jackson nodded.
“Yes.”
The review uncovered more wrongdoing.
Some connected to Victor.
Some older.
Some involving decisions Jackson himself had made.
Jackson cooperated with authorities.
He accepted that the consequences might be severe.
He sold several holdings.
Closed others.
Established independent management for legitimate businesses.
His influence diminished.
His reputation changed.
Some called him weak.
Others called him finished.
Jackson didn't care.
One afternoon, Reed approached him.
“Boss, the men are asking what happens next.”
Jackson looked up.
“Tell them to find honest work.”
Reed stared.
Jackson smiled faintly.
“I'm serious.”
Reed sat down.
“Jackson, you've changed.”
Jackson looked at the lucky stone.
“Yes.”
He thought of the boy who'd walked into the snow.
The dog who wouldn't turn back.
The grandfather who refused to bow.
May you like
Then he said:
“Maybe I should've changed a long time ago.”
