Chapter 10
Vincent Shaw arrived believing I wanted breakfast.
That was deliberate.
I wanted him comfortable.
He entered.
Saw Vanessa.
Grant.
Maria.
Luis’s phone.
Then stopped.
“Boss.”
“Sit.”
He didn’t.
My captain closed the door.
Vincent looked at Grant.
One glance.
Enough.
I placed the photograph on the island.
“You know Voss.”
Vincent sighed.
“Everyone knows Voss.”
“You met him with Grant.”
“Business.”
“Whose?”
Silence.
Grant smiled.
“Careful, Vincent.”
I looked at him.
“Thank you.”
Vincent closed his eyes.
Grant realized the mistake.
Too late.
I continued.
“What routes did you give them?”
Vincent shook his head.
“None.”
I played Luis’s recording.
Grant giving South Ridge.
Then another recovered audio.
Vincent’s voice.
“Daniel never checks the servants’ wing.”
My hands tightened.
Maria looked up.
Vincent’s face emptied.
I replayed.
Grant:
“Maria knows too much.”
Vincent:
“Then remove her quietly.”
Vanessa:
“And Sophia?”
Vincent laughed.
“She’s three.”
Silence.
Sophia hid behind Maria.
Vincent saw.
For the first time, he looked ashamed.
Not enough.
I stepped closer.
“You approved taking them.”
He said:
“I approved cleaning a risk.”
Maria flinched.
I stared.
“A mother and child.”
“An operational risk.”
There it was.
Language designed to make cruelty professional.
I looked at Vanessa.
“You planned this with one of my capos.”
She lifted her chin.
“You were never home.”
“You knew I was away because Vincent told you.”
“No.”
Vincent answered:
“Yes.”
Vanessa turned.
He laughed bitterly.
“I’m not dying for you.”
Grant stood.
My guards forced him back down.
Vincent continued.
“The plan was supposed to end Friday.”
“What happens Friday?”
Silence.
I knew from his face.
“South Ridge.”
He nodded.
My return convoy.
Voss had my route.
My timing.
My car order.
Everything.
Sophia’s starvation.
Maria’s planned disappearance.
Luis’s murder.
They were not separate acts.
They were preparation.
I looked at Vincent.
“Was I supposed to survive Friday?”
May you like
He stared at the floor.
And that silence answered before any confession could.
