Chapter 9 - The First Target
Evelyn’s recording lasted seventeen minutes.
She described secret bank transfers.
Private meetings.
Missing construction money.
Threats disguised as jokes.
Then she explained the part Adrian never knew.
Marcus had approached her six weeks before Lily’s birth.
He told Evelyn that Adrian’s life had become too dangerous.
He offered to arrange a new identity for her and the baby.
Evelyn refused.
Marcus then said something she could not forget.
“Sooner or later, Adrian won’t be here to protect you.”
Evelyn began investigating him.
She discovered that Marcus had arranged an ambush intended for Adrian three months earlier.
A meeting changed at the last minute.
Adrian survived because he never went.
Marcus adapted.
If Adrian could not be removed first, Marcus would eliminate the heir and isolate Adrian emotionally.
Then he could wait.
A grieving man was easier to control.
A childless man had no successor.
Adrian shut off the video.
Thomas watched him carefully.
“You want to kill him.”
“Yes.”
“Evelyn knew you would.”
Adrian looked up.
Thomas pointed at the screen.
“There’s more.”
Adrian resumed the recording.
Evelyn stared into the camera.
“If Marcus did this, don’t become the man he expects you to become.”
“Don’t burn Chicago to prove you loved me.”
“Protect Lily.”
“That is how you win.”
Adrian closed his eyes.
Even dead, Evelyn knew exactly where his mind would go.
That afternoon, Adrian ordered no retaliation.
Instead, he called Grant Mercer.
The rival Marcus had blamed for eight months.
Grant answered cautiously.
“I assume this isn’t a social call.”
“You didn’t attack Evelyn’s convoy.”
Silence.
“I’ve been telling you that since the funeral.”
“I believe you now.”
Grant laughed without humor.
“That must be uncomfortable.”
“I need information about Owen Pike.”
Grant became serious.
“He’s buying men.”
“For whom?”
“That’s the interesting part.”
Grant lowered his voice.
“He’s been telling people Adrian Vale won’t be running Chicago much longer.”
Adrian looked at Thomas.
“When?”
“Forty-eight hours.”
“What happens in forty-eight hours?”
Grant paused.
“Your board votes on an emergency succession clause.”
May you like
Adrian went still.
No one had told him about a vote.
