Chapter two continues this story...

I stared at the name on the screen: SENATOR CHARLES VANCE.

For twenty years, Charles Vance had been one of the most powerful political figures in Washington, serving as Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He was my late wife’s brother, my brother-in-law, and the man who had delivered the eulogy at Liam’s military funeral with tears streaming down his face.

"My God..." Arthur gasped, leaning against the table, his face devoid of color. "Charles Vance... he was the one who cleared the customs waivers for Sterling Global’s European shipping routes."

"It all makes sense now," Agent Miller said, her voice filled with dark realization. "Senator Vance used his political authority to bypass federal inspections on Sterling Global ships. Marcus Cole provided the military hardware through his Special Forces network. And Julian handled the corporate laundering through Zurich."

"And Liam found out," Elena whispered, her body trembling with grief. "Liam discovered that his own uncle was using his family's company to sell weapons to the very insurgents my husband was fighting in the field."

I sank into a chair, covering my face with my hands as a wave of immense, crushing agony washed over me.

My family was built on a mountain of blood money.

My son hadn't died in a tragic military accident. He had been murdered by his own uncle, his own aunt, and his own cousin because he possessed the moral courage to stand up against their evil.

"Raymond," Agent Miller said gently, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Senator Vance has diplomatic immunity and top-level security clearances. A file like this... if we file it through standard Department of Justice channels, his contacts in Washington will leak it within ten minutes. He'll flee the country or destroy the remaining evidence."

I removed my hands from my face. The sorrow, the grief, and the despair were completely gone, replaced by a cold, incandescent rage that burned hotter than a dying star.

"He won't flee, Agent Miller," I said, my voice dropping to a icy whisper.

"How can you be sure?" she asked.

"Because tomorrow night is the Annual Sterling Global Gala at the Plaza Hotel," I revealed, looking up at the digital clock on the wall. "Charles Vance is the keynote speaker. He's launching his campaign for Vice-President of the United States. He thinks he’s untouchable."

I stood up, adjusting the cuffs of my shirt, staring at the high-rise lights of Manhattan.

"He thinks Liam's hard drive was burned in the guest house fire," I continued, my voice steady as death. "He thinks Elena and Leo are dead or terrified in hiding. He thinks he has won."