Chapter 10 - The Dead Uncle
Marcus Vale had died in a boating accident fourteen years earlier.
At least that was what every article said.
Nathan told us the truth in pieces.
Marcus had founded the family’s original security business. Richard expanded it. Then the brothers turned on each other.
“Over money?” Ortiz asked.
“Control,” Nathan said. “My father wanted legitimate investors. Marcus wanted private clients, offshore contracts, cash business.”
“What kind of clients?”
Nathan shook his head. “I don’t know all of it.”
I stared at him.
He corrected himself. “Weapons transport. Political fixers. people who paid for problems to disappear.”
Ortiz’s expression hardened.
“And you waited until now to mention him?”
“I thought he was dead until three days ago.”
“What did he say?” I asked.
Nathan looked at me.
“He said, ‘Don’t marry her. You’ll get her killed too.’”
My hands went cold.
“Too?”
Nathan nodded.
“Caroline.”
The hospital room went silent.
“You knew that three days ago?”
“I didn’t know what he meant.”
“You didn’t think maybe you should tell me?”
“I was trying to figure out whether the call was real.”
I wanted to scream. Instead I asked, “Did he call again?”
“Yes. Yesterday. He gave me a location.”
“Where?”
“An old Vale warehouse by the river.”
Ortiz stood. “You went?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because my father had me followed.”
I laughed bitterly. “What a healthy family.”
Nathan looked down.
Then my phone received a text.
Unknown sender.
One image.
Evan was sitting in a metal chair, hands tied behind him, blood on his shirt. He looked alive.
Behind him was a corrugated steel wall.
Under the image, a message:
BRING NATHAN TO THE RIVER WAREHOUSE. MIDNIGHT. NO POLICE.
A second message arrived.
EMMA COMES TOO.
Ortiz said, “You’re not going.”
I stared at Evan’s face.
“He built my company with me.”
“He betrayed you.”
“He still doesn’t deserve to die.”
Nathan stood. “I’ll go.”
Ortiz shook her head. “This is not a negotiation.”
Then another text appeared.
This one contained a photograph of Caroline Hayes.
Alive.
May you like
Standing beside Marcus Vale.
The timestamp was from six hours ago.
