CHAPTER 5 — THE TRAITOR AT THE TABLE
CHAPTER 5 — THE TRAITOR AT THE TABLE
Connor did not storm into the security office.
He did not call an emergency meeting.
And he certainly did not accuse anyone.
If Daniel Webb had survived for four years under the protection of someone inside the Malone organization, then exposing the traitor too soon would only drive him deeper into hiding.
Instead, Connor smiled.
He went about the day as though nothing had happened.
But behind the scenes, every phone call, every security code, every financial transfer made by his senior officers was quietly monitored.
By sunset, the results began arriving.
Vincent entered Connor's office carrying a sealed envelope.
"We've narrowed it down."
Connor looked up.
"How many?"
"Three."
Connor opened the folder.
The first was a warehouse manager who had worked for the family for twenty-two years.
The second was an accountant with access to offshore accounts.
The third made Connor's stomach tighten.
Anthony Russo.
One of Connor's oldest friends.
His right-hand man.
The man who had taken a bullet for him seven years earlier.
Connor stared at Anthony's photograph for several seconds.
"No..."
Vincent remained silent.
"We traced encrypted payments. They all lead back to him."
Connor slowly shook his head.
"There has to be another explanation."
"I thought the same."
Vincent slid another file across the desk.
Security footage.
Anthony meeting secretly with Daniel two nights earlier.
The timestamp was unmistakable.
Connor watched the silent video.
Anthony handed Daniel a flash drive.
Daniel smiled.
Then the two men embraced like old friends.
Connor closed the laptop.
The room felt colder.
"Betrayal hurts most," Vincent said quietly, "when it comes from someone you trusted."
Connor stood.
"Call everyone."
"Tonight?"
"Especially tonight."
One hour later, the senior members of the Malone organization gathered in the mansion's dining hall.
Long oak table.
Crystal glasses.
Expensive suits.
No one suspected why they had been summoned.
Connor entered last.
He sat at the head of the table.
Anthony smiled.
"You look tired."
Connor smiled back.
"So do you."
Dinner was served.
Conversation flowed normally.
No one noticed Connor watching every face.
Every hand.
Every nervous glance.
Halfway through the meal, Connor placed a small black envelope on the table.
"I received a gift today."
Silence spread through the room.
"It contains the name of the person helping Daniel Webb."
Nobody moved.
Connor slowly looked around the table.
"I already know who it is."
Several men exchanged uncertain glances.
Anthony remained calm.
Connor continued.
"I'm giving that person exactly thirty seconds to confess."
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Twenty-nine...
Twenty-eight...
Twenty-seven...
Anthony calmly sipped his wine.
Connor never took his eyes off him.
Ten...
Nine...
Eight...
Still nothing.
Connor nodded.
"I hoped you'd tell the truth."
He pressed a button beneath the table.
Instantly, every door slammed shut.
Armed guards flooded into the dining hall.
Weapons raised.
Anthony's smile disappeared.
Connor tossed the tablet across the table.
The surveillance footage stopped directly in front of Anthony.
Daniel.
The flash drive.
The embrace.
Anthony didn't even look surprised.
Instead...
He laughed.
A quiet, almost pitying laugh.
"You really think you understand what's happening?"
Connor's expression never changed.
"I understand enough."
Anthony leaned back.
"No."
"You understand almost nothing."
Anthony slowly raised both hands.
"I'm not working for Daniel."
Connor frowned.
"I'm working for the man Daniel answers to."
The room froze.
"What?"
Anthony smiled.
"You've spent four years chasing the wrong monster."
Connor felt something shift inside him.
Daniel Webb...
...wasn't the mastermind.
He was an employee.
Anthony spoke almost proudly.
"Daniel reports to someone much bigger."
Connor's voice became dangerously calm.
"Who?"
Anthony looked directly into Connor's eyes.
"The person who ordered your father's assassination."
May you like
For the first time in years...
Connor lost all expression.
