Chapter 4 - THE BROTHER WHO BETRAYED HIM
Julian Thorne had not spoken Adrian's name aloud in six years.
Not willingly.
Not without anger.
His younger brother had once been the person he trusted most.
They grew up inside the same violent household.
Their father, Dominic Thorne, ruled his criminal organization through fear.
Julian learned discipline.
Adrian learned charm.
Julian protected.
Adrian manipulated.
For years, they balanced each other.
Until Adrian sold information to a rival organization and nearly got Julian killed.
The betrayal left three men dead.
Julian survived with a scar beneath his ribs.
Adrian disappeared.
Now his name had resurfaced beside forty million missing dollars.
And a dead maintenance supervisor.
Julian stood in his office, studying Tommy's photograph.
Salenzo waited beside the desk.
"Could be old," Salenzo said.
"It was taken fourteen months ago."
"Adrian may have returned without our knowledge."
Julian looked up.
"Then our security is worse than I thought."
Salenzo said nothing.
Julian studied the photograph again.
Martin Voss stood with his arms folded.
Conrad Bell appeared to be arguing.
Adrian smiled.
That smile was familiar.
Too familiar.
Julian remembered it from childhood.
Adrian always smiled when he believed he'd already won.
"Find out who authorized those men to enter the warehouse," Julian ordered.
Salenzo hesitated.
"That facility wasn't under our control at the time."
"Then find out who controlled it."
"Julian—"
"Don't protect anyone."
Salenzo's expression changed.
"I never have."
Julian looked at him.
"Then you won't mind proving it."
Across the city, Dileia met with an attorney named Rachel Monroe.
Rachel specialized in corporate fraud and wrongful-death litigation.
She was forty-three, sharp-eyed, and unimpressed by wealth.
Dileia liked her immediately.
Rachel reviewed Tommy's email.
Then the medical records.
Then the photograph.
Finally, she looked up.
"This is serious."
"I know."
"But we need to separate suspicion from proof."
"I know that too."
Rachel studied her.
"You've done investigative work before."
"I studied forensic accounting."
"How far?"
"Three semesters from finishing my degree."
"Why stop?"
"Tommy got hurt. Then he died. Bills don't care about graduation plans."
Rachel nodded.
"Well, you have a good eye."
Dileia looked down.
"My husband used to say that."
Rachel closed the folder.
"Let's see whether we can make him proud."
They agreed to preserve Tommy's digital records and request the original accident investigation.
Rachel would also seek an independent review of the medical evidence.
Dileia would not conduct unauthorized searches.
She would not access private accounts.
And she would not let Julian's organization control the investigation.
That evening, she returned to Ruth's apartment.
The older woman sat by the window.
For once, her eyes were clear.
"Dileia?"
Dileia froze.
"Yes, Mom?"
Ruth smiled sadly.
"You've been crying."
Dileia sat beside her.
"I found something about Tommy."
Ruth's expression changed.
"What?"
"He may have been trying to tell us something before he died."
Ruth looked toward the bedroom.
Then whispered, "He was afraid."
Dileia's heart stopped.
"What?"
Ruth gripped her hand.
"Tommy came home one night and said he'd made a mistake."
"What mistake?"
"He said he'd trusted the wrong man."
Dileia leaned closer.
"Who?"
Ruth's face tightened.
She struggled to remember.
Then she whispered:
"The man with the silver watch."
Dileia stared.
"Who had a silver watch?"
Ruth shook her head.
The clarity was slipping.
"Tommy said... don't let him inside."
"Who, Mom?"
But Ruth's eyes had already changed.
She looked confused.
"Where's Tommy?"
Dileia closed her eyes.
The moment was gone.
Then she remembered the photograph.
Martin Voss wore a silver watch.
Conrad Bell wore none.
Adrian's wrist was hidden.
Dileia enlarged the image.
Martin's watch was expensive.
Distinctive.
A silver case with a black face.
She sent the photograph to Rachel.
Then another message arrived.
From Julian.
WE FOUND ADRIAN.
Dileia stared.
May you like
A second message followed.
HE'S BEEN IN CHICAGO FOR SIX MONTHS.
