Chapter 9 - THE MAN WHO RAISED VINCENT
Raymond Hayes had raised Vincent from the age of twenty-one.
After Arthur died and Margaret disappeared, Raymond stepped into the role of father.
He taught Vincent business.
Introduced him to political allies.
Protected him from rival families.
Helped build the reputation that made half of Chicago afraid to say Vincent’s name.
And apparently, he had murdered Vincent’s father.
We did not go to Hayes Tower alone.
Police knew.
Federal investigators knew.
The building was quietly surrounded.
But Raymond believed he still controlled enough security to force a private meeting.
Vincent agreed because investigators needed him talking.
I hated the plan.
“You don’t have to come,” Vincent told me.
“I know.”
“Claire.”
“I said I know.”
He looked at me.
“Then why are you?”
“Because he wants me there.”
“That’s exactly why you shouldn’t be.”
I folded my arms.
“Power isn’t permission.”
A tired smile touched his mouth.
“I walked into that one.”
“Yes.”
He sighed.
“Fine.”
Luke joined us.
I looked at him.
“Are you sure Raymond doesn’t know who you are?”
“He knows now.”
“Comforting.”
We entered Hayes Tower through the private garage.
The building looked different after midnight.
Too quiet.
Too polished.
Every reflective surface seemed like an eye.
Raymond waited in Vincent’s office.
Seventy years old.
Perfect gray suit.
Silver hair.
Calm smile.
Like someone’s respected grandfather.
“You came.”
Vincent stopped ten feet away.
“You killed my father.”
Raymond’s smile faded.
“Your father was weak.”
Vincent’s hands curled.
“He was trying to expose you.”
“He was going to destroy everything your family built.”
“You mean everything you stole.”
Raymond looked toward me.
“And you must be Claire.”
I said nothing.
“You look like Rachel.”
My stomach twisted.
“You killed her.”
“Your parents made unfortunate choices.”
Vincent stepped forward.
“Say that again.”
I grabbed his sleeve.
Not because I was afraid of him.
Because I knew exactly what Raymond wanted.
“Don’t.”
Vincent looked at me.
Then stopped.
Raymond smiled.
“You see? She controls you already.”
“No,” Vincent said.
“She reminds me I have a choice.”
Something changed in Raymond’s face.
Anger.
Vincent continued.
“You built my entire life around fear. I’m done letting you decide what power looks like.”
Raymond laughed.
“You think this ends because you found a ledger?”
“No.”
Federal agents entered.
“It ends because you kept talking.”
Raymond’s expression collapsed.
He reached inside his jacket.
Luke moved.
Vincent moved.
Agents shouted.
But Raymond didn’t draw a gun.
He pulled out a remote.
My heart stopped.
“What is that?”
Raymond smiled.
“The elevator control system.”
Vincent went pale.
Raymond pressed a button.
Somewhere deep inside the tower, machinery groaned.
Then he said:
May you like
“If I’m going down, Arthur’s last secret goes with me.”
A violent explosion shook the building.
