Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO LISTENED
Vincent met Fay in the estate library.
The room smelled of old leather and cedar.
Sunlight fell across shelves filled with books nobody seemed to read.
Fay sat opposite him.
Her hands trembled.
Vincent noticed.
“Would you prefer Mrs. Alvarez to stay?”
Fay nodded.
“Yes.”
He looked toward the door.
Mrs. Alvarez entered and sat beside her.
Vincent waited.
Fay told him everything she remembered.
The silver dress.
The white gloves.
The mention of Saint Anne's.
The question about “the girl.”
Vincent listened without interrupting.
When she finished, he remained silent for several seconds.
Then said:
“Thank you.”
Fay stared.
“That's all?”
He nodded.
“For now.”
She looked confused.
“Aren't you angry?”
Vincent's expression changed.
“Very.”
Fay stiffened.
He noticed.
“Not with you.”
She looked down.
Vincent continued.
“I'm angry that someone used my businesses to threaten people who trusted us.”
Fay swallowed.
“Are you going to hurt Donovan?”
Vincent looked at her.
“No.”
She blinked.
He continued.
“I'm going to make sure the evidence reaches people who can hold him accountable.”
Fay studied him.
“Why?”
Vincent looked toward the window.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then:
“Because I've spent too many years confusing fear with respect.”
Fay looked at him.
He continued.
“My father taught me that power meant nobody could challenge you.”
He paused.
“But if nobody can challenge you, nobody can tell you when you're wrong.”
Fay considered that.
Then quietly said:
“You were wrong to let men like Donovan work here.”
Vincent looked back at her.
For a moment, the room seemed to hold its breath.
Then he nodded.
“Yes.”
Fay stared.
He continued.
May you like
“And I'm going to change that.”
For the first time, she believed he might.
