Chapter 12 - The Empire That Never Belonged to Me
For twenty-three years, I'd believed the Vale empire was my birthright.
My father called it our legacy.
My associates called it our territory.
My enemies called it the most dangerous organization in Chicago.
But my mother's documents revealed something extraordinary.
The legitimate shipping businesses had been financed in large part with money diverted from employee benefit funds.
Margaret Vale had discovered the fraud shortly before her death.
She'd begun working with Evelyn Reed and an independent attorney to recover the assets.
Her will contained instructions for an independent trust to compensate the families who'd been harmed.
Vincent suppressed the documents.
Dominic continued the deception after his death.
And Eleanor had spent fifteen years trying to recover them.
I stared at the legal papers.
"How much?"
Gabriel looked uncomfortable.
"What?"
"How much money was stolen?"
He checked the preliminary audit.
"Investigators estimate the disputed assets could exceed two hundred million dollars."
I looked toward the window.
Two hundred million dollars.
Money I'd spent on cars, properties, private clubs, and an empire that had made thousands of people afraid of my name.
My stomach turned.
Nora stood beside me.
"Arthur?"
I shook my head.
"I thought I was rich."
She waited.
"I was living on money stolen from people who could barely afford groceries."
Silence.
Then I made the first decision of my life that had nothing to do with protecting my power.
"Call my attorney."
Gabriel nodded.
"What should I tell him?"
"I want to cooperate with the audit. Preserve every record. No destruction, no transfers, no secret accounts."
He looked surprised.
"Boss—"
"And contact the independent trustees. Whatever legally belongs to those families should be recovered."
For once, nobody argued.
That afternoon, I met with federal investigators through my attorney.
I provided records documenting the operations I'd controlled.
I didn't pretend to be innocent.
I'd made decisions that hurt people.
I'd benefited from an organization built on fear.
And whatever happened next, I had to accept responsibility.
Nora waited outside.
When I finally emerged, she stood.
"How did it go?"
I gave a tired smile.
"I may be facing serious consequences."
Her expression softened.
"Are you afraid?"
I nodded.
"Very."
She looked surprised.
It was probably the first time I'd admitted fear to anyone.
Then she reached for my hand.
"Being afraid doesn't mean you're making the wrong decision."
I held her fingers gently.
For several seconds, I couldn't speak.
Then Gabriel approached.
"Arthur, we have news about Dominic."
My expression hardened.
"What?"
"He was detained while trying to leave the country."
I exhaled slowly.
"And?"
"Investigators recovered several encrypted drives from his luggage."
"What was on them?"
"Financial records, communications, and evidence connected to Vincent's death."
My heart pounded.
Then Gabriel revealed the final discovery.
"Dominic also had a recording from the night Margaret Vale was murdered."
I froze.
"Another recording?"
Gabriel nodded.
"And according to the audio, your mother knew her killer."
He hesitated.
"She called him by name."
I stared at him.
"Who?"
May you like
Gabriel swallowed.
"Dominic."
