Chapter 8 - The Ledger Behind the Wall
Gabriel Russo was alive.
Dominic stared at the screen.
The uncle whose funeral he remembered from childhood was standing beneath Davenport Tower.
“He faked his death.”
Evelyn nodded.
“With my help.”
Dominic turned.
“What?”
“I thought I was saving him.”
“From whom?”
“The network.”
“Apparently you saved it for him.”
Evelyn accepted the accusation.
“I made a mistake.”
Beatrice looked at the live image.
“What does he want from me?”
Liam answered from behind them.
“Everything.”
Marco had brought him upstairs after searching him.
Chloe stood across the room.
She wanted to run to him.
She didn't.
Liam noticed.
His face tightened.
Then he focused on Beatrice.
“My father believes the network belongs to the Russo family.”
“Does it?”
“No.”
That answer surprised Dominic.
Liam continued.
“Daniel built the holding structure with Dominic’s father. Gabriel helped initially. Then he realized how powerful it could become.”
“So he killed Daniel?”
Liam closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
Evelyn turned away.
Beatrice felt strangely empty.
Her father's murderer was alive.
She had imagined that revelation might create rage.
Instead, it created clarity.
“What is in the vault?”
“The original charter. Ownership certificates. Account keys. Evidence.”
“And I can open it?”
“You and Dominic.”
Dominic frowned.
“Why me?”
“Two-key system. Daniel trusted your father. Your father transferred his key authority to you.”
Beatrice looked at Dominic.
“So we both have to agree.”
“Yes.”
“Smart man,” Dominic said.
Liam laughed bitterly.
“Smart enough to get murdered.”
Chloe flinched.
Beatrice didn't.
“My father died trying to stop Gabriel. I'm not going to insult him by being frightened of the same man.”
Dominic looked at her.
“You should be frightened.”
“I am.”
“Good.”
“But I'm still going.”
They devised a plan.
Authorities could not simply raid the tower because Gabriel had hostages.
Employees working overnight.
Security guards.
And Victoria.
Gabriel had sent proof.
Beatrice would enter with Dominic.
Marco’s team would coordinate evacuation.
Arthur would remain outside.
Arthur objected.
Beatrice ended it with one sentence.
“You protected me your way for seventeen years. Tonight I'm choosing mine.”
He said nothing else.
Before leaving, Beatrice changed.
No gray.
No clothing selected to disappear.
She chose the red gown from the gala because her suitcase had not arrived and because she was tired of allowing humiliation to own it.
The wine stain had dried dark across the fabric.
Dominic looked at her.
“You're wearing that?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Chloe threw wine at this woman.”
She looked at herself in the mirror.
“I want Gabriel to meet the one who stood back up.”
Dominic’s gaze held hers.
Then he offered his hand.
This time there were no cameras.
No audience.
No strategic reason.
Beatrice took it anyway.
They entered Davenport Tower at 4:13 a.m.
Gabriel waited below.
He resembled Dominic’s father enough to be unsettling.
“Dominic.”
“Gabriel.”
“My brother would be proud.”
“No.”
Gabriel smiled.
“Still stubborn.”
His eyes moved to Beatrice.
“Daniel’s daughter.”
“My name is Beatrice.”
“I know.”
“You murdered my father.”
“Yes.”
No denial.
No excuse.
“Why?”
“Because he believed systems could be clean.”
“And you didn't?”
“I believed systems could be controlled.”
“You killed him for money.”
“For power.”
“That's supposed to sound better?”
“No. Merely accurate.”
He gestured toward the steel door.
“Open it.”
Beatrice looked at Victoria, tied to a chair.
“Release her.”
“After.”
“No.”
Gabriel sighed.
“Your father was difficult too.”
“Good.”
Dominic almost smiled.
Gabriel noticed.
“You like her.”
Dominic said nothing.
“That complicates things.”
“For you.”
Gabriel's smile disappeared.
He produced a gun.
Pressed it against Victoria.
“Open the vault.”
Beatrice took out the key.
Dominic produced his father’s signet ring.
Two locks.
They inserted them simultaneously.
The vault opened.
Inside were rows of archive boxes and a central computer terminal.
Gabriel pushed Victoria aside and entered.
His expression became reverent.
“Twenty-eight years.”
Beatrice followed.
Dominic beside her.
Gabriel reached for the original charter.
Beatrice reached the terminal first.
Password prompt.
One clue.
WHAT DID DANIEL PROTECT?
Beatrice thought of money.
Evidence.
His family.
Then typed:
CHOICE.
Accepted.
Gabriel stared.
A menu appeared.
MAINTAIN NETWORK.
TRANSFER CONTROL.
DISSOLVE NETWORK.
Gabriel raised the gun.
“Move.”
“No.”
“Beatrice.”
“No.”
“You have no idea what you're controlling.”
“Neither do you.”
“I spent my life building this.”
“You spent your life stealing it.”
She selected DISSOLVE NETWORK.
A second authorization appeared.
DOMINIC RUSSO REQUIRED.
Dominic stepped forward.
Gabriel pointed the gun at him.
“Don't.”
Dominic looked at Beatrice.
“What happens if we do this?”
She remembered Victoria's warning.
“We can't yet.”
Gabriel laughed.
“Finally.”
Beatrice held up the Black Ledger.
“We separate the innocent assets first.”
Dominic understood.
“We expose the criminal accounts.”
“And protect everyone who never knew.”
Gabriel's face changed.
“You think I'll let you?”
“No.”
Beatrice looked behind him.
“But he might.”
Liam stood in the vault doorway.
Gun raised.
Gabriel stared at his son.
“You.”
Liam’s hands shook.
“Put it down, Dad.”
“You would betray me for Chloe Davenport?”
“No.”
Liam looked at Beatrice.
“For myself.”
Gabriel smiled sadly.
“You're weak.”
Liam swallowed.
“Maybe.”
Then another voice came from the hallway.
“Drop the weapon.”
Federal agents poured into the sublevel.
Gabriel turned toward an escape door.
It opened before he reached it.
Arthur stood there.
Gabriel stopped.
The two men stared at each other after twenty-eight years.
Arthur whispered:
“Hello, Gabriel.”
May you like
Gabriel raised his gun.
And the lights went out...
