Chapter 3 - THE BROTHER WHO DIED
Arthur's brother's name was Gabriel.
I learned that the next morning.
Gabriel Costello had supposedly died in a car accident twelve years earlier.
But according to Arthur, Gabriel's body had never been recovered.
Only the vehicle.
“That doesn't make sense.”
“It didn't.”
“Then why did everyone believe he was dead?”
“Because my father said he was.”
Arthur sat across from me in the library.
“My father was a ruthless man.”
“You're saying he lied?”
“I know he did.”
“Why?”
Arthur looked toward the fireplace.
“Because Gabriel knew too much.”
“About what?”
“The organization.”
I understood.
“The family business.”
Arthur nodded.
“Gabriel wanted out.”
“What happened?”
“He disappeared.”
“And your father announced he was dead.”
“Yes.”
I stared at him.
“Do you think he's alive?”
“I think someone wants me to think he is.”
That distinction mattered.
Arthur's phone rang.
He answered.
His expression hardened.
“What?”
He listened.
Then:
“Bring him in.”
He hung up.
“Who?”
“My accountant.”
“Why?”
“He found something.”
Twenty minutes later, a frightened man entered.
He placed a folder on the desk.
“Mr. Costello…”
“Talk.”
“There have been transfers.”
“From where?”
“Your private accounts.”
Arthur opened the folder.
Millions had been moved.
Unauthorized.
I looked at the dates.
They matched the weeks when Arthur had been away.
“Someone has access to your accounts.”
“Yes.”
The accountant swallowed.
“And the transfers all went to the same company.”
Arthur read the name.
His face went still.
“What?”
He turned the folder toward me.
G.C. Holdings.
My stomach dropped.
“Gabriel Costello?”
Arthur didn't answer.
He stood.
“Lock down the estate.”
The accountant looked terrified.
“Sir?”
“Nobody leaves.”
Arthur walked toward the door.
I followed.
“Where are you going?”
“To find my dead brother.”
That night, the estate became a fortress.
Security guards stood everywhere.
No staff member could leave.
I was terrified.
At midnight, someone knocked on my door.
I expected Arthur.
It was Victor.
“Mr. Kane?”
He smiled.
“Arthur wants you upstairs.”
I hesitated.
“Did he say why?”
“No.”
Something about his expression felt wrong.
I stepped backward.
“Then I'll wait for him.”
Victor's smile disappeared.
“You should come now.”
“No.”
He reached for me.
Before he could touch me, Arthur appeared behind him.
“Take your hand off her.”
Victor froze.
Arthur's voice was terrifyingly calm.
Victor stepped away.
Arthur looked at me.
“Are you all right?”
“Yes.”
He turned toward Victor.
“Leave.”
Victor obeyed.
Arthur waited until the door closed.
Then he looked at me.
“You did the right thing.”
“I didn't trust him.”
“Good.”
“Why?”
“Because Victor is the reason I came to your room that night.”
I stared.
“What?”
May you like
Arthur lowered his voice.
“He was the one I killed.”
