Chapter 3 - Gabriel’s Last RecordingMarcus’s investigation uncovered a hidden server.
On it was a folder:
RUSSO — CLOSED
Inside were pension documents.
Surveillance photographs.
And one audio file recorded four years earlier.
The night Gabriel died.
I recognized the restaurant immediately.
Shouting.
Gunfire.
Glass breaking.
Then Gabriel’s breathing.
I had heard his final words before.
Take care of them.
But the recording continued after I was dragged outside.
Gabriel spoke to someone else.
Weakly.
“Marcus…”
My entire body went cold.
Marcus Vance had been there.
Gabriel whispered:
“The foundation…”
Then coughing.
“Don’t let them touch it.”
Marcus answered:
“I’ll handle everything.”
Gabriel:
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
The recording ended.
I stared at the speaker.
Marcus had not simply discovered an abandoned pension later.
Gabriel personally entrusted it to him while dying.
He broke a promise made to a dying man.
Vincent asked:
“Boss?”
I stood.
“How deep?”
“What?”
“Marcus didn’t steal millions just to buy cars.”
We reopened everything.
That was when we found the property scheme.
Employee-relief funds had been used to purchase distressed apartment buildings through shell companies.
Buildings like Elena’s.
Then code violations appeared.
Residents were forced out.
Properties sold to developers.
Luxury redevelopment followed.
The survivor fund was being used to displace the same families it was supposed to protect.
May you like
And Elena’s building—
was next.
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