Chapter 17 - THE FAMILY TRAP|
Dominic ordered the mansion evacuated.
Rose was taken to a secure property outside the city with Mrs. Alvarez and two guards he trusted. Emily remained at the private clinic, protected by Marcus's most experienced team.
Daniel and Serena stayed with Dominic.
No one liked the arrangement, but no one argued.
They gathered in the security room, where Marcus displayed the records recovered from Daniel's storage device.
The financial network was larger than Dominic had imagined. It connected shell companies, private foundations, construction firms, and offshore accounts. Some of the names belonged to criminals. Others belonged to respectable public figures who had built careers on charitable work.
At the center sat the Vitale family trust.
Dominic studied the documents.
“Why would the trust require all the surviving heirs?”
Daniel pointed to a clause in the original agreement.
“Your father created it to prevent any single person from controlling the evidence. The assets and records can only be released when the trustee verifies the identities of the surviving heirs.”
“Me, you, and Rose.”
“Possibly Emily too, depending on the original wording.”
Serena leaned closer.
“Anthony believes the trust contains enough evidence to imprison him and destroy the Circle's remaining influence. But if he can gain control of it first, he can erase the records and transfer the money.”
Dominic looked at her.
“Why does he need me?”
“Because your signature is still recognized as the primary family representative.”
“And the blue key?”
“It opens the physical vault where the original documents are stored.”
Marcus shook his head.
“Then we don't go anywhere near that vault until the authorities are ready.”
Dominic agreed.
For the first time, he was willing to let someone else take the lead.
They contacted a federal investigator who had been monitoring Victor Sloane's financial dealings. The investigator agreed to meet them at a secure office the following morning.
But before the meeting, the mansion's alarm system activated.
A single message appeared on the central monitor.
COME TO THE OLD VITALE THEATER. BRING THE KEY.
Below it was a photograph of Margaret Whitmore, tied to a chair.
Dominic clenched his jaw.
Anthony had taken the real Margaret.
Marcus immediately began coordinating a response.
“We can send a tactical team through the rear entrance.”
“No,” Daniel said. “Anthony will expect that.”
Dominic turned toward him.
“What do you suggest?”
Daniel studied the building plans.
“The theater has an old maintenance tunnel beneath the stage. My adoptive father once showed me a photograph of it. If Anthony has kept the original structure, there may be a way inside without crossing the main hall.”
Marcus frowned.
“How do you know the theater?”
“Because I grew up hearing stories about it. Your father built it for family events. Anthony used it for private meetings after the warehouse fire.”
Dominic looked at the plan.
“Then we approach from the tunnel.”
The theater stood abandoned on a narrow street behind an old warehouse. Its red velvet seats had faded, and the stage curtains hung in torn strips.
Dominic entered through the maintenance tunnel with Daniel and Marcus. The rest of the team secured the surrounding streets.
They emerged beneath the stage.
Voices drifted through the floorboards.
Anthony's voice was unmistakable.
“Where is the key?”
Margaret answered weakly.
“I don't have it.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I've never had it.”
Anthony laughed.
“You've spent your life pretending to be the woman who knew everything. Yet you couldn't protect your own children.”
Dominic motioned to Daniel.
They moved toward the side stairs.
Through a gap in the curtain, Dominic saw Margaret tied to a chair beneath a spotlight. Anthony stood beside her, holding a pistol.
Victor Sloane sat in the front row, checking his watch.
Dominic's stomach tightened.
He had expected Anthony.
He had not expected Victor.
Then another figure stepped onto the stage.
Robert Hale.
The attorney looked directly at Anthony.
“It's time,” he said.
Anthony smiled.
“Is the vault ready?”
Robert nodded.
“And the heirs?”
Anthony turned toward the shadows.
“Bring them in.”
A door opened behind Dominic.
May you like
The lights came on.
And every weapon in the room pointed toward him.
