Chapter 6 - THE MAN INSIDE ADRIAN'S HOUSE
Gabriel disappeared before Adrian returned home.
That frightened him more than if Gabriel had stayed.
Adrian had trusted Gabriel Reyes for eleven years.
He had given him access to his homes, cars, security systems, business records, and people.
Including Natalie.
Especially Natalie.
Claire survived surgery.
Barely.
While doctors operated, Adrian locked down every Mercer property.
Natalie sat beside him in the hospital waiting room.
“You should be furious.”
“I am.”
“You don’t look furious.”
“That’s usually when I’m most dangerous.”
She believed him.
His phone rang.
Unknown number.
Adrian answered.
Gabriel.
“Boss.”
Adrian’s expression turned cold.
“Where are you?”
“Somewhere you won’t find me yet.”
“Then you don’t know me very well.”
“I know you better than most.”
“Claire says you work for Daniel Vale’s killer.”
Gabriel laughed softly.
“Claire has spent twenty years telling half-truths.”
“Did you arrange Ethan?”
“No.”
“Did you attack the church?”
“No.”
“Then come back.”
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Because the person who did is in your house.”
Adrian stood.
Natalie did too.
“Who?”
Gabriel lowered his voice.
“Your father.”
Adrian said nothing.
“Victor Mercer died twelve years ago.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“You buried him.”
“You buried someone.”
Natalie stared.
Gabriel continued.
“Victor staged his death because Daniel Vale’s investigation had exposed something bigger than the Mercer organization.”
“What?”
“A network.”
“Of whom?”
“Federal agents. Judges. politicians. organized-crime families. People who made money controlling both sides.”
Adrian walked toward the window.
“And my father joined them?”
“He created part of it.”
Natalie felt cold.
“Did he kill my father?”
Gabriel’s silence answered.
Adrian’s voice went flat.
“Where is Victor?”
“I don’t know.”
“Liar.”
“I don’t.”
“Then why disappear?”
“Because yesterday I learned he has someone inside your security team.”
“Who?”
“I’m trying to find out.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“You expect me to trust you.”
“No.”
Gabriel paused.
“I expect Natalie to.”
Natalie looked at the phone.
“Why me?”
“Because I knew Daniel Vale.”
Her breath stopped.
“You were a kid.”
“I was seventeen.”
“What did he do?”
“He saved my father from prison.”
“Why?”
“Because my father was an informant.”
Adrian’s eyes sharpened.
“Your father worked for Victor.”
“Yes.”
“And Daniel protected him.”
“Yes.”
Gabriel continued.
“Before Daniel died, he told my father one thing.”
“What?”
“If Emily ever returns to New York, keep her away from Victor Mercer.”
Natalie gripped the chair.
“Why?”
“Because Victor doesn’t want the evidence.”
“What does he want?”
“You.”
The room went silent.
“Why?”
Gabriel hesitated.
“Because Daniel left something inside the witness-protection file that can only be accessed using your original federal identity.”
Natalie frowned.
“What?”
“A sealed testimony.”
“Whose?”
Gabriel’s answer changed everything.
“Adrian’s mother.”
Adrian stopped moving.
“My mother died when I was twelve.”
“No.”
Gabriel’s voice softened.
“She became the government’s first witness against Victor.”
Adrian stared ahead.
“And she’s alive?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then who does?”
May you like
Gabriel whispered:
“Ethan Cole.”
