Chapter 10 - Richard’s Last Move
Richard Vale did not intend to die in prison.
He arranged an escape during a medical transport.
Three guards were injured.
Richard vanished.
Federal authorities warned the Mercers.
Cade moved Serena and the girls to a secure location.
This time Serena agreed immediately.
“Growth,” Cade said.
“Shut up.”
Richard sent one message.
CAROLINE’S LEDGER OR I FINISH WHAT MALCOLM STARTED.
Cade did not have a ledger.
Rose did.
She had kept Caroline’s handwritten record of every illegal payment.
The final piece prosecutors needed.
Richard wanted it destroyed.
Cade agreed to a controlled exchange.
Claire hated it.
“You’re not law enforcement.”
“I’m aware.”
“You attract disasters.”
“Also aware.”
“You’re going anyway.”
“Yes.”
She kissed him.
“That was unexpected.”
“In case I need to kill you afterward.”
Cade smiled.
The exchange took place at an abandoned Mercer hotel.
Richard appeared alone.
“Your mother ruined everything.”
Cade looked at him.
“No.”
“She turned Serena against Malcolm.”
“Good.”
“She turned Beatrice against us.”
“Good.”
“She made you weak.”
Cade smiled.
“Then why are you running from me?”
Richard’s face hardened.
Federal agents closed in.
Richard fired.
Cade ducked.
Claire, monitoring nearby, shouted over comms.
Richard ran upstairs.
Cade followed.
On the roof, Richard reached the edge.
No exit.
He pointed the gun.
“You could have owned Chicago.”
“I barely wanted the hotels.”
“You were born for power.”
“No.”
Cade thought of Lena selling the painting.
Mara asking about fries.
Serena sleeping sick on a couch.
His mother’s letters.
“I was born into a family.”
Richard fired.
Missed.
Agents returned fire.
Richard dropped the gun.
He survived.
Barely.
Arrested again.
This time maximum security.
The ledger went to prosecutors.
The network finally collapsed.
Dozens indicted.
Cade’s name cleared of intentional involvement.
May you like
But he did not return to the old business.
That life was finished.
