Chapter 15 - Dominic's Father
Richard Shaw lived in a brick house in Brookline surrounded by old police awards.
Dominic refused to go alone.
Federal agents waited outside.
Nora, Adrian, and Daniel watched through a live audio feed.
Richard opened the door before Dominic knocked.
"You brought them."
"I brought the truth."
Inside, Richard poured himself a drink.
He did not deny the ledgers.
He denied being the mastermind.
"Vincent ran the streets. Pike ran the money. I kept police away."
Dominic looked at his father like he had never seen him before.
"You buried Daniel Bennett's case."
"Yes."
"You told Mom he was a criminal."
"I told your mother what kept this family alive."
Dominic's jaw clenched.
"Don't use us as an excuse."
Richard smiled sadly.
"You think you're different? You've spent ten years protecting Adrian Vale."
"From people like you."
Richard's expression hardened.
Then he said the one thing none of them expected.
"The mansion fire wasn't Elias."
Outside in the surveillance van, Adrian leaned forward.
Dominic asked, "Who set it?"
Richard looked toward the window.
"Pike ordered it. But the person who opened the security gate was inside Adrian's staff."
"Who?"
Richard slid a photograph across the table.
Nora appeared on the security screen in the van.
Not Nora herself.
A photo of Nora entering the service gate the night of the fire.
Behind her stood house manager Mrs. Valez.
Adrian's trusted employee of eighteen years.
Richard said, "Maria Valez worked for Vincent before Adrian inherited the house."
Adrian stared.
"Impossible."
Then Dominic asked, "Why tell me now?"
Richard's eyes filled with something close to fear.
"Because Maria isn't loyal to Pike."
"Who is she loyal to?"
"Someone we all thought died twelve years ago."
Nora's blood ran cold.
May you like
Richard whispered a name.
"Mark Bell."
