Chapter 19 - THEY COME FOR RILEY AGAINVincent’s arrest did not end danger.
It revealed network.
Two former contractors disappeared.
Paul Renner retained counsel.
Several companies began shredding relationships.
One of Riley’s old teachers received strange inquiries.
Dominic realized Vincent had built system that continued without him.
Protection became larger than one man.
Federal agents recommended Riley enter formal witness-protection arrangement due minor status and threat.
She hated idea.
“New name?”
“Maybe temporary measures.”
“New school?”
“Possibly.”
“I’m done disappearing.”
Dominic sat across.
“Then we negotiate.”
“You can negotiate with federal government?”
“No.”
“But lawyers can ask options.”
Riley looked skeptical.
Grant said:
“There are protective plans that don’t erase identity completely.”
Riley:
“I want Dawson.”
Dominic nodded.
“Then we fight for Dawson.”
Not criminal fight.
Legal.
Safe.
Nathan would approve.
Meanwhile media caught rumor that Dominic Vance was cooperating in investigation against own longtime associate.
Headlines exploded.
VANCE EMPIRE FRACTURES
OLD WAR FRIEND’S DAUGHTER AT CENTER
Riley saw one photo of herself leaving clinic despite precautions.
She panicked.
Dominic had publication contacted through counsel to remove identifying details because minor.
Some complied.
Some didn’t.
Again, name cost.
Dominic said:
“I’m sorry.”
Riley:
“You didn't publish.”
“But attention follows me.”
She sighed.
“Everything is complicated with you.”
“Yes.”
Then controlled meeting with Vincent was approved through investigators, not private confrontation.
Riley could observe behind one-way glass first.
Vincent sat in interview room.
Silvering hair.
Expensive suit replaced by detention clothing? At initial federal interview he wears plain clothes maybe. We'll keep not image continuity, story not video. He looked ordinary.
That shocked Riley.
“That’s him?”
Dominic stood beside.
“Yes.”
“He looks…”
“What?”
“Small.”
Dominic understood.
Monsters often do under fluorescent light.
Vincent was told Riley was willing to identify him.
His expression changed.
He looked toward glass.
Though he could not see.
Riley stepped back instinctively.
Dominic noticed.
“You don’t have to go in.”
She breathed.
“I want to.”
Meeting arranged with investigator, attorney, glass partition/security.
Vincent saw Riley.
For first time mask cracked.
“Nathan’s little girl.”
Riley’s hands clenched.
“Don’t call me that.”
Vincent smiled.
“You look like him.”
Dominic wanted glass shattered.
Riley remained.
“You killed my father.”
Vincent leaned back.
“Your father got himself killed.”
Riley's eyes filled but voice steady.
“Because he found you.”
Vincent looked at Dominic.
“You believe this child?”
Dominic:
“I believe evidence.”
Vincent smiled.
“Nathan poisoned you against me from grave.”
Dominic answered:
“No.”
“You did that yourself.”
Vincent turned back to Riley.
“Your father chose this.”
“He could have walked away.”
Riley said:
“He tried to keep me safe.”
“And failed.”
Dominic moved before realizing, but Grant touched shoulder.
Nathan’s message.
Listen before act.
Riley’s face changed.
Not shattered.
Clear.
“You're right.”
Vincent smiled.
Then she continued:
“He failed to keep you from reaching me.”
“But you failed too.”
His smile faded.
“I’m still here.”
She stood.
“And now everybody knows his name.”
Riley walked out.
No confession.
No dramatic collapse.
But Vincent had tried to make her victim.
She left as witness.
Dominic followed.
In hallway Riley started shaking.
He opened arms without touching.
She stepped in.
For first time, Riley hugged him.
Dominic held carefully.
Not Nathan.
May you like
Never Nathan.
But someone who had finally answered.
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