Chapter 4 - THE MAN DANTE CALLED BROTHER
Victor Salerno arrived at the estate that evening wearing a navy suit and an expensive smile.
He had been Dante's closest adviser for fifteen years.
They had survived business disputes, investigations, family tragedies, and violent conflicts together.
Dante had trusted Victor with financial records, property transactions, and confidential information.
Now that trust felt like a weapon pointed at his own chest.
Victor entered the library.
“Dante.”
He smiled.
“I heard you had some excitement with the security system.”
Dante remained seated.
“Sit down.”
Victor hesitated.
Then obeyed.
Dante placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Aaron Hayes standing beside a warehouse camera.
Victor glanced at it.
His expression didn't change.
“What's this?”
“Aaron Hayes.”
Victor sighed.
“That thief?”
Dante watched him carefully.
“Was he?”
Victor frowned.
“What?”
“Was he a thief?”
Victor leaned back.
“Dante, we went through this almost a year ago.”
“I know.”
“The evidence was clear.”
“Was it?”
Victor's smile disappeared.
Dante slid another photograph across the table.
A still image from the recovered recording.
Victor stood beside the accountant.
The briefcase was open.
Victor stared at it.
For the first time, his composure cracked.
“Where did you get this?”
Dante didn't answer.
Victor looked up.
“You don't understand what you're looking at.”
“Then explain it.”
Victor swallowed.
“That was a legitimate transaction.”
“In cash?”
“Some clients prefer discretion.”
Dante leaned forward.
“Seven figures in cash?”
Victor's eyes hardened.
“Careful.”
The word hung between them.
Dante stared.
“Are you threatening me?”
Victor forced a laugh.
“Of course not.”
Dante stood.
“Your access to the company's financial systems is suspended pending an independent investigation.”
Victor's face went pale.
“You can't be serious.”
“I am.”
“After everything I've done for you?”
Dante looked at him.
“That's exactly why I should have checked sooner.”
Victor rose.
“You're making a mistake.”
Dante walked toward the door.
“Maybe.”
He opened it.
“But this time, I'm going to find out before signing anything.”
After Victor left, Marcus entered.
“Do you think he'll run?”
Dante looked toward the window.
“I think he's been preparing for this possibility for a long time.”
Marcus hesitated.
“There's something else.”
Dante turned.
“What?”
“The old facilities account used to manipulate the cameras was reactivated from a network associated with Victor's office.”
Dante closed his eyes.
The next morning, Victor failed to appear at work.
His phone was disconnected.
His home was empty.
And a private aircraft registered to one of his holding companies had departed Chicago shortly before dawn.
Dante stood in his office staring at the flight information.
Victor had vanished.
But he had left something behind.
A sealed envelope delivered to the estate's front gate.
Inside was a photograph of Emily and Lily.
Taken the previous afternoon.
On the back were six words.
SOME TRUTHS SHOULD STAY BURIED, DANTE.
Dante's blood turned cold.
May you like
The threat wasn't aimed at him.
It was aimed at a mother and her seven-year-old daughter.
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