Chapter 2 - The Ghost in the Phone
Grant understood instantly that his entire criminal empire had been stolen from him in the dark.
The men he had trusted with his life had turned his own massive business against him.
Daniel Cross, his most trusted lieutenant, walked into the library just before noon.
The younger man poured himself an expensive glass of whiskey without bothering to ask for permission.
"The shipments at the docks are running perfectly smoothly, Boss," Daniel lied effortlessly.
Grant maintained his blank, unseeing stare and nodded slowly as if he suspected absolutely nothing.
He listened carefully with his heightened hearing as Daniel typed something rapidly on a secondary cell phone.
"I have to meet the capos across town to discuss the new territory," Daniel said before turning toward the door.
Grant heard the distinct, heavy sound of a phone being placed carelessly on the third shelf of the bookcase.
"Hannah," Grant called out softly the moment Daniel's footsteps faded down the hallway.
She stepped out from the shadows of the adjoining dining room.
"Daniel left a burner phone on the shelf behind my chair," Grant instructed.
Hannah quickly retrieved the device and easily bypassed the simple swipe lock screen.
She gasped sharply when the bright screen illuminated the dark library.
"What exactly do you see?" Grant demanded.
"It is a photograph of Daniel," Hannah said, her voice shaking with disbelief.
"He is standing on a beautiful tropical beach."
Grant gripped his heavy wooden cane tightly.
"Who is he standing with?" Grant asked.
"He has his arm wrapped securely around a woman," Hannah whispered.
"It is your wife, Caroline."
Grant stopped breathing entirely.
Caroline was supposed to have died in the horrific pier explosion five years ago.
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He had buried a closed casket while weeping bitterly in the pouring rain.
Now, he realized the explosion was nothing more than a smokescreen for the ultimate betrayal.
