Chapter 3 - The Missing Man
The name dragged Vincent backward through time.
Daniel Mercer had been an accountant.
Young.
Brilliant.
Terrified.
He had worked for Vincent’s uncle, Carlo Romano, when the Romano organization was very different from what Vincent controlled today.
Carlo trafficked stolen property, extorted businesses, bribed city officials.
Vincent had been trying to dismantle his uncle’s operations quietly.
Then Daniel discovered Carlo was laundering millions through housing developments.
Daniel approached Vincent.
He brought ledgers.
Bank records.
Names.
Vincent arranged protection.
Three days later, Daniel vanished.
Everyone assumed Carlo killed him.
Vincent had spent eleven years believing it too.
Claire shook her head.
“No.
Daniel wasn’t involved with criminals.”
“He was trying to expose them.”
Her anger faltered.
Vincent continued.
“He came to me because he was afraid.”
“Then where is he?”
“I don’t know.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“No.”
Vincent looked toward the stranger.
“But I think he does.”
Sal tightened his grip.
Vincent approached.
“Name.”
Silence.
Marco searched the man’s wallet.
“Arthur Keane.”
Vincent frowned.
The name meant nothing.
But something else in the wallet did.
A hotel key card.
Lakeview Harbor Hotel. Room 614.
Vincent held it up.
May you like
Keane’s eyes flickered.
That was enough.
