Chapter 10 - THE UNCLE WHO OWNED THE DARKNESS
Vincent Vane had attended every important moment of Casey's life.
Graduation.
Birthdays.
Family funerals.
Business celebrations.
He had stood beside Casey when Anthony supposedly died.
He had comforted him when Isabella disappeared.
And for twelve years, he'd advised Casey on how to manage the Vane family's complicated empire.
Now Casey was learning that Vincent might have been responsible for the secrets destroying their family.
He met his aunt Lucia in a private conference room.
Clara attended with her attorney.
Vincent wasn't present.
Lucia looked exhausted.
"Your father discovered that Vincent was using Northbridge to divert money from charitable trusts."
Casey stared.
"When?"
"About twenty years ago."
"Then why didn't he stop him?"
Lucia's eyes filled.
"He tried."
She explained that Anthony confronted Vincent after Isabella began asking questions.
Vincent threatened to expose illegal financial dealings from Anthony's past.
The brothers fought.
And Anthony made a terrible compromise.
He agreed to conceal certain records in exchange for promises that Isabella and her child would remain safe.
"But Vincent didn't keep his word," Lucia whispered.
Casey's jaw tightened.
"No."
Then Lucia continued.
"Anthony eventually tried to report him."
"What happened?"
"Vincent arranged an attack."
Casey felt cold.
"The heart attack?"
Lucia shook her head.
"The incident before your father's disappearance."
She explained that Anthony survived a poisoning attempt twelve years earlier.
His doctors advised him to disappear while investigators examined the threat.
But instead of coming forward, Anthony remained hidden.
He was afraid Vincent would target Casey and other relatives.
Clara looked toward Casey.
He was staring at the table.
For years, he'd believed his father had died.
Now he understood the man chose secrecy.
And his silence helped the wrongdoing continue.
"Did Vincent know Anthony was alive?" Casey asked.
Lucia hesitated.
"Eventually."
Casey closed his eyes.
Then she added something worse.
"Vincent controlled the security contracts around Blackstone House."
Clara felt sick.
"So he knew Isabella was there."
Lucia nodded.
"And he may have helped prevent her from leaving."
The room became silent.
Casey stood.
"Then we report everything."
His attorney nodded.
"We already have an appointment with the investigators."
For the first time, Clara saw the feared mafia boss choose transparency over family loyalty.
It wasn't easy.
Casey knew the investigation could expose crimes committed by his own organization.
But he also knew that silence had already stolen twenty years from Isabella's life.
The next morning, Vincent Vane was questioned by investigators.
He denied wrongdoing.
His attorneys challenged the allegations.
But financial records continued linking his companies to the old trust scheme.
Then an unexpected witness came forward.
Anthony Russo.
The bodyguard involved in the poisoning attempt.
Through his attorney, Russo agreed to provide information.
His statement described meetings with Vincent and Richard Lang.
He said he'd been ordered to place an unauthorized substance in Casey's drink.
When asked why, he answered:
"Because Casey was beginning to question the foundation."
Clara felt cold.
Then Russo revealed something extraordinary.
"Samuel Hayes tried to stop us."
The investigator leaned forward.
"What?"
Russo nodded.
"Samuel warned me the girl would be at the restaurant."
Clara stared.
"My father knew?"
Russo continued.
"He wanted Casey alive."
"Why?"
"Because Casey was the only person with enough control over the Vane companies to open the records."
Then Russo delivered the detail that changed the investigation.
"Samuel Hayes is alive."
May you like
Clara stopped breathing.
"And I know where he's hiding."
