Chapter 9 - The Brother Who Was Used as Bait
Caleb Reed hadn't borrowed money because he was reckless.
He'd borrowed it because he was desperate to keep his grandmother alive.
And Dominic Russo had used that desperation to trap an entire family.
I stared at his employment agreement.
"Why would a warehouse worker be connected to medical research?"
Gabriel shook his head.
"The company appears to be a shell. Investigators are examining its transactions."
Nora sat down slowly.
"Caleb told me he was taking extra shifts."
Her voice broke.
"He said he was doing better."
I remembered my own childhood.
The lies adults told to protect children.
The secrets that became cages.
I looked at Nora.
"We'll help him if he wants help."
She raised her eyes.
"Why?"
"Because nobody should lose their family over a debt created by people like Dominic."
For a moment, she simply stared.
Then she said something I deserved to hear.
"Arthur, people like Dominic worked for you."
I didn't answer.
She continued.
"You didn't know about Caleb. I believe that. But how many other people were hurt by companies carrying your name?"
The question landed harder than any accusation.
I had spent years claiming I controlled Chicago.
Yet I barely understood what happened inside my own operations.
"I don't know," I admitted.
Nora nodded.
"Then maybe it's time you found out."
That afternoon, federal investigators located Caleb at a temporary housing facility in Boston.
He was frightened.
Exhausted.
But alive.
When Nora spoke to him by video, she began crying immediately.
"Caleb!"
His face crumpled.
"Nora."
"Where have you been?"
He lowered his eyes.
"I'm sorry."
"Just tell me you're safe."
He nodded.
"For now."
A federal investigator sat beside him.
Caleb explained that Rebecca had contacted him six months earlier.
She claimed she could help repay his debt.
In exchange, he was asked to transport sealed packages between warehouses.
He never knew their contents.
When he became suspicious, Dominic's men threatened him.
Then Rebecca told him Nora would be harmed if he stopped cooperating.
Nora covered her mouth.
"You should've told me."
Caleb began crying.
"I was trying to protect you."
I looked toward the screen.
For the first time, I understood how easily someone powerful could turn love into a weapon.
Then Caleb said something unexpected.
"Nora, Grandma didn't die from natural causes."
The room went silent.
"What?"
He swallowed.
"Rebecca told me Grandma was going to testify against Dominic."
Nora shook her head.
"No."
Caleb nodded.
"She had evidence about the Vale family."
I stared at the screen.
"What evidence?"
Caleb looked directly at me.
"Your mother's original will."
My heart stopped.
"My mother's will?"
He nodded.
"And according to Grandma, she left everything to you on one condition."
I gripped the table.
"What condition?"
May you like
Caleb swallowed.
"That you never become your father."
