Chapter 8 - THE UNCLE WHO OWNED THE SHADOWS
Arthur Bellamy had spent thirty years cultivating the appearance of a harmless gentleman.
He donated to museums.
Sponsored children's hospitals.
Hosted charity dinners.
And smiled for photographs beside governors who later claimed they barely knew him.
Roman had always understood his uncle was dangerous.
What he hadn't understood was how dangerous.
Arthur controlled the financial architecture of Greybridge.
He knew which businesses were legitimate.
Which accounts were concealed.
Which politicians owed favors.
And which bodies had never been found.
Roman summoned him to the family townhouse on East Eighty-First Street.
Tessa insisted on attending.
“No,” Roman said.
She crossed her arms.
“My family is involved.”
“Which is exactly why you shouldn't be there.”
“You don't get to make that decision for me.”
Roman studied her.
Then nodded.
“Fine. But Daniel stays with you.”
Arthur arrived at seven.
He wore a navy suit and carried a silver-topped cane.
“My dear nephew,” he said warmly. “You look terrible.”
Roman didn't smile.
“Sit down.”
Arthur noticed Tessa.
“And who is this?”
“Tessa Monroe.”
For one brief second, Arthur's smile vanished.
Then it returned.
“Monroe. Interesting name.”
Tessa met his gaze.
“My mother worked for Northstar Freight.”
Arthur's fingers tightened around his cane.
“How unfortunate for her.”
Roman stepped forward.
“Careful.”
Arthur laughed softly.
“Have we become sentimental?”
Roman placed a folder on the table.
“Eleven years of transfers to Victor Sloane. Authorized through companies you control.”
Arthur glanced at the papers.
“Accounting can be complicated.”
“Not this complicated.”
Arthur sighed.
“You've always been too emotional about your father's legacy.”
“My father's legacy killed people.”
“Your father built something extraordinary.”
“He built it on stolen homes.”
Arthur's eyes hardened.
“Those neighborhoods were dying anyway.”
Tessa felt anger rise in her throat.
“People lived there.”
Arthur turned toward her.
“People live everywhere, Miss Monroe. Progress is rarely convenient.”
“My parents tried to expose you.”
“Your parents made poor choices.”
Roman moved so quickly that Daniel stepped forward.
“Don't,” Tessa said.
Roman stopped.
Arthur smiled.
“There he is. The Bellamy temper.”
Roman stared at his uncle.
“You're finished.”
Arthur laughed.
“You think you can remove me?”
“I already have.”
Roman placed another document on the table.
“Your access to every company account was revoked this afternoon.”
Arthur's expression changed.
“You foolish boy.”
“Greybridge is being dismantled.”
“Then you will destroy everything your father built.”
“That's the idea.”
Arthur stood.
“You have no idea what you've started.”
Roman remained calm.
“I know exactly what I've started.”
Arthur looked at Tessa.
“You should ask your mother what happened on the night of the warehouse fire.”
Tessa stiffened.
“What?”
Arthur smiled.
“Evelyn has always been selective with the truth.”
Then he walked out.
Ten minutes later, Daniel received a call.
The warehouse where Project Seventeen's records had been stored was burning.
And inside, firefighters had discovered a locked room.
May you like
A room containing photographs of twenty-seven missing people.
Including Tessa's father.
