Chapter 5 - The Man Who Came Back
Anthony knew.
That was the problem.
Within thirty minutes, Vincent’s attorney confirmed something worse.
Anthony had disappeared from his office.
Wade Holland had vanished too.
Jesse had been released pending further investigation.
“They’re running,” Lena said.
“No,” Vincent replied.
“They know we have the evidence.”
“That’s why they’re not running.”
Daniel looked toward the diner windows.
“They’ll want the originals.”
Vincent nodded.
Lena picked up the metal box.
“Then give them what they want.”
“No.”
“Copies.”
Vincent stared at her.
“You want to bait them.”
“I want them talking.”
“That is not happening.”
“You said anger makes people move.”
“I regret saying that.”
Despite everything, Lena smiled.
“You should.”
Vincent stepped closer.
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
“This isn’t a diner argument.”
“I know.”
“Anthony had two men killed.”
“My father was one of them.”
“That’s exactly why you’re not doing this.”
She lowered her voice.
“And yours was the other.”
Vincent stopped.
Lena held his gaze.
“Don’t become him because you’re angry.”
Before he could answer, Dwight shouted from the kitchen.
“Car!”
Headlights swept across the windows.
One vehicle stopped outside.
Jesse Holland stepped out alone.
He entered with both hands visible.
Vincent’s men moved immediately.
Jesse raised them.
“I’m not here to fight.”
Lena stared.
“You have nerve.”
“My father is going to kill me.”
“Get in line,” Dwight muttered.
Jesse looked at Lena.
“I didn’t know about your father.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I knew Dad wanted your signature. He told me your family had some old claim against the property.”
“You assaulted me over paperwork.”
Jesse looked ashamed for the first time.
“I know.”
“That isn’t an apology.”
“No.”
He swallowed.
“It’s a confession.”
Vincent studied him.
“Why are you here?”
“Because my father called Anthony Moretti after I got released.”
Vincent’s expression changed.
“What did they say?”
“They’re meeting at the old Holland mill.”
“When?”
“Midnight.”
“Why tell us?”
Jesse laughed bitterly.
“Because Dad told Anthony I was becoming a liability.”
Silence.
Jesse looked at Lena.
“I spent my whole life thinking being feared meant being powerful.”
His eyes moved toward Vincent.
“Turns out it just means eventually everyone wants you gone.”
Lena folded her arms.
“You still hurt me.”
“I know.”
“You’ll answer for that.”
“I know.”
“Then help us.”
At 11:47 p.m., investigators were already moving toward the mill.
Vincent wanted Lena nowhere near it.
She agreed.
Mostly.
She stayed at Hal’s with Dwight, Reggie, and two officers.
At 12:16, Daniel called.
“They’ve got Anthony.”
Vincent’s voice came next.
“And Wade.”
Lena closed her eyes.
“Did they talk?”
“Enough.”
Her knees nearly gave out.
“Vincent?”
“Yes?”
“Come back.”
A pause.
Then quietly:
“I’m coming.”
Twenty-eight minutes later, headlights swept across Hal’s windows.
Lena stood.
The bell rang.
Vincent entered.
Same black coat.
Same controlled face.
But this time Lena wasn’t on the floor.
She walked toward him.
“Well?”
“Anthony admitted knowing about the sabotage.”
“And Wade?”
“Blamed Anthony.”
“Of course.”
“The investigators have the tape, ledgers, and Jesse’s statement. They’ll handle the rest.”
Lena searched his face.
“You didn’t hurt him?”
“No.”
“Even after what he did?”
Vincent looked at her.
“You asked me to be better.”
Lena’s expression softened.
“I didn’t think you listened to anybody.”
“I don’t.”
A beat.
May you like
“I listened to you.”
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