Chapter 6 - The Wife Hidden Inside His Empire
Silas Costello had spent two years mourning his wife while someone connected to his own organization kept her alive.
That realization nearly destroyed him.
He sat beside Noah, staring at the paused video.
Elena's frightened face filled the phone screen.
"She was there," he whispered.
Khloe remained across from him.
"Where?"
"In one of my facilities."
Marcus studied the logo.
"Costello Maritime uses that emblem in twelve locations."
Silas looked up.
"Then check all twelve."
Marcus nodded.
But Khloe leaned closer to the video.
"Wait."
She pointed toward the background.
A narrow window showed part of a shoreline.
Beyond it stood a tall red-and-white tower.
"That's not a random warehouse," she said.
Silas frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"My brother worked near a shipping terminal outside Milwaukee. There was an old navigation tower beside the water."
Marcus enlarged the image.
His expression changed.
"Boss, that's the North Harbor facility."
Silas's jaw tightened.
"Victor manages that property."
Nobody spoke.
Then Noah signed something.
Khloe turned toward him.
WHAT IS IT?
He pointed at the screen.
THAT'S MOMMY'S ROOM.
Khloe's heart raced.
HAVE YOU BEEN THERE?
Noah nodded.
Silas moved closer.
"What is he saying?"
Khloe looked at him.
"He says he's been there."
Silas stared at his son.
"With whom?"
Khloe signed the question.
Noah looked down.
Then raised his hands.
VICTOR TOOK ME.
Silas's face drained of color.
"When?"
Noah held up three fingers.
Khloe clarified the time.
Three weeks earlier.
Silas closed his eyes.
He remembered Victor taking Noah on what he'd described as a supervised visit to a family property.
He'd been told the boy needed fresh air and a change of environment.
Silas had trusted him.
Now he realized Victor had taken Noah to see his imprisoned mother.
Khloe signed gently.
DID YOU SEE MOMMY?
Noah nodded.
His little mouth trembled.
YES.
WHAT DID SHE SAY?
He looked directly at his father.
Then signed:
MOMMY SAID DADDY DIDN'T LEAVE US.
Silas covered his face.
For a long moment, he couldn't speak.
Then Noah added another message.
THE BAD MAN SAID DADDY WOULD BE NEXT.
Khloe felt her stomach drop.
Before she could translate, Marcus received another message.
It contained a scanned legal document.
A transfer agreement.
The document would give an offshore company control over a major portion of Costello Maritime's assets.
The required signatures belonged to Silas and Elena.
Elena's signature was already on the page.
But Silas hadn't signed.
May you like
And beneath the contract was a horrifying instruction.
If Silas refuses, the boy becomes the successor.
