Chapter 17 - WHAT WAS HIDDEN THEREThe blue ledger changed investigation.
Names.
Dates.
Payments.
Patterns.
Authorities reopened cases.
Several former employees agreed speak.
Vincent’s legal shield weakened.
But he remained free while warrants were prepared.
Dominic hated waiting.
Nathan had known he would.
Riley stayed at protected residence.
She returned to online school reluctantly.
Dominic insisted tutor.
Riley said:
“You’re not my dad.”
“No.”
“My dad would have let me skip.”
Dominic smiled.
“Absolutely not.”
“How do you know?”
“Nathan once did homework in foxhole.”
“That sounds fake.”
“It is.”
She threw pencil at him.
The relationship shifted.
Not father-daughter exactly.
Something older.
Debt becoming care.
Grant became steady presence.
Riley trusted him enough to sleep while he was on duty.
That was major.
Then Dominic discovered final hidden piece.
Inside Nathan’s cabin wall was sealed envelope addressed to Margaret Vance.
Dominic’s late wife.
He opened with Riley.
Nathan wrote to Margaret because she was one of five and because Nathan trusted her to stop Dominic from self-destruction.
Margaret, if Dominic learns Vincent betrayed him, he will want blood. Remind him that revenge will give Vincent excuse to bury evidence. Make him choose truth.
Dominic sat quietly.
Margaret had died years after Nathan.
Had she received copy?
Apparently not.
Envelope never delivered.
Riley said:
“Dad really thought you were an idiot.”
Dominic:
“Your father was perceptive.”
Then second paragraph:
Samuel came to me. He suspects Vincent is using family accounts. He is frightened Dominic will defend Vincent because business depends on him.
Dominic closed eyes.
Samuel had tried to warn Nathan.
Not Dominic.
Why?
Because Dominic had become defensive of Vincent.
The realization was devastating.
He remembered Samuel once saying:
“Vincent knows too much.”
Dominic replied:
“That’s why he’s useful.”
Samuel:
“That’s why he’s dangerous.”
Dominic had laughed.
Months later Samuel died.
Dominic whispered:
“I ignored both of them.”
Riley:
“You didn’t kill them.”
“No.”
“But I made it easier for killer to stand close.”
She did not argue.
Responsibility without false guilt.
Dominic needed both.
Grant entered.
“Warrant issued.”
Dominic stood.
“For Vincent?”
“Yes.”
“Federal agents moving.”
Riley's breath caught.
Dominic looked.
“You stay.”
“I know.”
Not happy.
But learned.
Then Grant added:
“He's gone.”
Dominic froze.
“What?”
“House empty.”
“Phone discarded.”
“Vehicle found.”
Vincent knew.
Leak again.
Someone warned.
Riley whispered:
“He’s coming here.”
Dominic:
“No.”
“How do you know?”
“Because if he runs, he wants time.”
Riley stared.
Then alarms sounded.
Grant looked phone.
Security perimeter breach.
Dominic’s blood chilled.
Riley was right.
Vincent was not running away.
May you like
He was running toward last thing that could destroy him.
Nathan Dawson's daughter.
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