Chapter 5 - The Chicago Secret
Daniel stared at the wall, the agent’s words echoing in his ear.
The primary name on the syndicate's payroll was Rachel’s mother.
The woman currently lying in a Chicago hospital bed recovering from a stroke was the actual architect of the money laundering ring.
Richard was nothing more than her pathetic, easily manipulated fall guy.
Daniel ended the call and walked out to his rented SUV, his mind spinning with this horrific revelation.
Rachel was waiting in the passenger seat, drinking a cup of black coffee.
Daniel looked at his wife, trying to process how much she actually knew.
He asked her directly if her mother’s stroke was a medical emergency or a violent message.
Rachel slowly lowered her coffee cup, her hands completely steady.
She did not look surprised by the question.
She turned to Daniel and confessed that her mother had been trying to exit the syndicate for months.
Richard had discovered her secret and tried to blackmail her for a larger cut of the profits.
The confrontation at the Chicago apartment was what triggered her mother’s severe stroke.
Rachel had kept Daniel in the dark because she wanted to protect him and Emma from the violent underworld.
But now, by exposing Richard, they had inadvertently exposed Rachel’s family as well.
Daniel realized his daughter was caught in the middle of a war between two corrupt bloodlines.
He started the engine, knowing they needed to get to Emma before the syndicate realized who she was.
He drove toward the police precinct where Emma was being held in protective custody.
When they arrived, the front desk sergeant looked confused.
The sergeant told Daniel that Emma had already been signed out twenty minutes ago by her uncle.
Daniel felt his chest tighten, realizing Cody had bypassed the security protocols.
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He looked at the security footage playing on the precinct's monitor.
The screen showed Cody leading Emma out the back door, pressing a concealed weapon against her spine.
