Chapter 8 - The Fall of Sloane and Moretti
Adrian’s breath came in ragged, shallow gasps. His dark eyes were glossy with dying light as he looked up at my face.
“Nora...” he whispered, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. “I’m... I’m sorry... I was so stupid...”
I looked down at him. The anger that had burned inside me since 2:17 a.m. on Thursday night suddenly washed away, leaving behind only a quiet, profound sadness for what could have been.
“You threw away everything, Adrian,” I said softly, my voice filled with solemn truth. “You had a empire built on loyalty, and you sacrificed it for greed and ego.”
“I... I loved you...” he choked out, reaching his blood-stained hand up toward my face.
I didn't take his hand.
“You loved the safety I gave you,” I corrected gently. “Rest now, Adrian.”
His hand fell limp onto the cold concrete. His eyes went still, staring up at the rusted metal roof of the terminal he had failed to protect.
Gabriel stepped up behind me, placing his warm coat over my shoulders, wrapping his strong arm around me as emergency sirens began to wail in the distance.
Twelve hours later.
The Federal Courthouse in Manhattan was swarming with media, federal agents, and corporate lawyers.
Sloane Bennett was led up the marble steps in handcuffs, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, her hair matted, tears running down her face.
Thanks to the forensic evidence compiled by Margaret Shaw and myself, the United States Attorney’s Office had unsealed a 42-count indictment against Sloane Bennett and the remaining lieutenants of the Moretti Syndicate.
The charges included Wire Fraud, Corporate Forgery, Extortion, and Conspiracy to Commit Murder.
I stood on the courthouse steps beside Gabriel Vance, dressed in a sleek charcoal wool coat, looking down at the cameras flashing in our faces.
A reporter thrust a microphone toward me. “Mrs. Vance—excuse me, Miss Vance! What happens to Vale Meridian Group now that Adrian Vale is dead and the board has dissolved?”
I looked straight into the camera lens—the same lens that used to ignore me while photographing Adrian.
“Vale Meridian Group no longer exists,” I announced clearly, my voice echoing across the plaza. “As of 9:00 AM this morning, Vance Global Logistics has acquired all remaining shipping assets and deep-water terminal leases, including Harbor Nine.”
The crowd of journalists erupted into shouting questions.
Sloane Bennett was led past me by two armed federal marshals. As she passed, she stopped, looking at me with eyes filled with hollow, miserable regret.
“Nora...” Sloane whimpered, her voice shaking. “Please... tell them I didn't want Adrian to die... please help me...”
I looked at the woman who had worn my robe, slept in my bed, and forged my name.
May you like
“You made your bed, Sloane,” I said coldly, stepping closer to Gabriel. “Now you can sleep in a federal cell for the next thirty years.”
Sloane was dragged away, sobbing hysterically as the heavy iron doors of the courthouse slammed shut behind her.
