Chapter 8 - Samuel’s Warning
The recording had been made nineteen months earlier.
Samuel’s voice was weak.
He sounded as though he had been injured.
“Gabriel controls the Montigue alliance,” he said. “But someone inside Victor’s closest circle gives him schedules, routes and security codes.”
Victor listened beside the chapel altar.
Marco stood across from him.
Lily held the recorder with both hands.
Samuel continued.
“I have not identified the traitor. I know only that he was present at Elena’s funeral and has direct access to Victor’s residences.”
Marco’s expression remained still.
Victor looked toward the Blackwood men gathered near the entrance.
Every one of them had attended Elena’s funeral.
Every one had access to some part of his security system.
The recording continued.
“Elena believed the traitor was someone Victor loved like family.”
The message ended.
Victor looked at Marco.
“How many men knew about the Galena cabin?”
“No one should have known.”
“That is not an answer.”
Marco’s face tightened.
“Dr. Marino, you and Lily.”
“Your men followed us.”
“They did not know the destination until the convoy separated.”
“One of them sent the photograph.”
Marco glanced toward the entrance.
Five guards remained.
Caleb Ross.
Anthony Bell.
Peter Sloan.
Jonah Creed.
And Marco’s younger brother, Lucas.
Victor had known most of them for more than a decade.
He ordered their phones collected.
Each device was placed on the altar.
Marco searched them.
Nothing appeared suspicious.
Lily looked around the chapel.
“Gabriel knew about the cabin before we arrived.”
Victor faced her.
“What makes you think that?”
“The photograph was sent after we left, but that does not mean it was taken by one of these men.”
“Samuel owned the cabin secretly.”
“He may have used it during his investigation.”
Marco understood.
“Gabriel could have discovered it while tracking Samuel.”
Victor looked toward Dr. Marino.
“How did they enter?”
The doctor touched his bruised face.
“One of the guards opened the door.”
Every man near the entrance stiffened.
“Which guard?” Victor asked.
“I did not see his face. The power went out. Someone struck me from behind.”
Marco examined the cabin guard assignments.
Lucas had been stationed at the front entrance.
Caleb watched the rear.
Anthony and Peter patrolled the woods.
Jonah managed communications.
Victor looked at Lucas.
“Come here.”
Lucas stepped forward.
He was twenty-eight.
Marco had brought him into the organization after their father died.
Victor had paid for his education.
Protected him from an attempted murder charge.
Made him part of the family.
“Did you open the door?” Victor asked.
“No.”
“Who relieved you?”
“No one.”
Dr. Marino studied Lucas.
“I heard a voice before the attack.”
Lucas glanced at him.
“What voice?”
“Someone said, ‘The lake is beautiful in winter.’”
The color left Lucas’s face.
Marco noticed.
“What does that mean?”
Lucas said nothing.
Marco grabbed his coat.
“What does it mean?”
“It was our mother’s phrase.”
Marco froze.
“She used to say it when we visited Wisconsin.”
Victor stepped closer.
“Who else knew it?”
“Gabriel.”
Lucas lowered his eyes.
Marco’s grip tightened.
“Tell me.”
Lucas began trembling.
“Gabriel contacted me six months ago.”
The chapel became silent.
“He said our father owed him money. He said he would expose the debt and take our mother’s house.”
Marco struck him.
Lucas fell against the altar.
“You gave him the cabin?”
“I gave him security schedules.”
“You gave him Ethan.”
“I did not know they would take the baby!”
Marco raised his fist again.
Victor stopped him.
“Let him speak.”
Lucas wiped blood from his mouth.
“Gabriel said Serena was collecting evidence that Lily abused Ethan. He said they only needed access to the nursery.”
Lily felt sick.
“How many times did you let Serena inside?”
“Four.”
The same four nights Ethan had suffered unexplained injuries.
Marco turned away from his brother.
His face was full of shame.
Victor looked at Lucas.
“Did you help them at the hospital?”
“No.”
“Who did?”
“I don’t know.”
“Where is Gabriel going?”
Lucas hesitated.
Victor crouched until they were eye level.
“You have one chance to protect your brother from cleaning up the consequences of your betrayal.”
Lucas looked toward Marco.
Then whispered, “The East Harbor warehouse.”
Victor recognized the location from Elena’s recording.
Gabriel had ordered a bombing there years earlier.
The abandoned property sat near the shipping channels controlled by Adrian Montigue.
“What is there?” Victor asked.
“Records. Cash. Passports.”
“A way out of the country?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
Victor stood.
Marco drew his weapon.
“Let me deal with Lucas.”
“No.”
“He betrayed us.”
“He will testify.”
Marco looked at Victor.
The old Blackwood rules demanded blood.
Victor had enforced those rules himself.
But Ethan rested in Lily’s arms a few feet away.
The child had seen enough violence.
Victor looked at Marco.
“Your brother will face the law.”
“The law belongs to Judge Hollis.”
“Not for much longer.”
Victor called the federal number Samuel had left in the safe-deposit records.
Special Agent Rebecca Shaw answered.
Victor offered her the files proving Gabriel’s money laundering, Adrian’s smuggling network and Judge Hollis’s corruption.
In return, he demanded protection for Ethan, Lily and Dr. Marino.
Shaw agreed to meet.
Marco waited until Victor ended the call.
“You are bringing federal agents into Blackwood business.”
“I am bringing them into Gabriel’s business.”
“They will not see a difference.”
“Then we give them one.”
Victor looked toward his men.
“From this moment forward, no illegal shipment moves under my name.”
Caleb stared at him.
“Boss, that will cost millions.”
“It will cost more if my son grows up visiting my grave.”
Victor faced Marco.
“Take Serena and Lucas to Agent Shaw.”
“And you?”
“I am going to East Harbor.”
Lily stepped forward.
“So am I.”
“No.”
“Samuel died for those records.”
“Ethan needs you.”
“He needs his father too.”
Victor looked at the child.
For once, he did not argue.
“You stay with him.”
Lily understood.
Victor was not ordering her away because she was weak.
He was trusting her with the only person he valued more than himself.
Before Victor left, Ethan reached for him.
Victor kissed his forehead.
“I will come back.”
Lily remembered their conversation at the cabin.
Children need promises.
Victor looked at her.
May you like
“I will fight to keep it.”
Then he walked out of the chapel to confront the man who had destroyed his wife, betrayed his family and turned the Blackwood empire against its own heir.
