The Name That Made the Crime Boss Stand Up
Roman’s revelation hung heavily in the silent room.
“Twelve years ago, Samuel Vain disappeared after taking a bullet that was meant for me.”
Norah stared at him, barely breathing. “You knew him?” “I knew the man he pretended to be.”
Roman reached into his wallet and pulled out a small, worn photograph. He placed it carefully on the table.
Norah’s eyes widened. Samuel was standing beside a much younger Roman. She turned the photograph over.
Four words were written across the back in faded ink: PROTECT HER AT ALL COSTS.
“Who is she?” Norah whispered. Roman looked directly into her eyes.
“You.” Norah shook her head. “That can’t be true.”
“Samuel didn’t take you in by coincidence,” Roman said quietly. “Your mother was my sister.”
The words seemed to drain all the air from the room. “My mother?”
“She was murdered twelve years ago,” Roman replied. “The same night Samuel disappeared.” Norah’s fingers began to tremble.
“You’re saying that I’m…” “My niece.” Before Norah could process the revelation, every light in the lounge suddenly went out.
A gunshot tore through the darkness. Gideon slammed Norah to the floor.
A second bullet struck the mirror behind Roman, sending shards of glass across the room.
“Everyone down!” Security guards rushed into the room. Roman grabbed Norah’s hand and pulled her behind a thick concrete pillar.
“Someone followed you here.” “I told you,” she whispered. “Someone has been following me for weeks.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” “Because I thought they were after my money!” Roman stared at her.
“They’re not interested in your money.” He pulled out his phone.
A new message had appeared on the screen: SHE REMEMBERS NOTHING. KEEP HER ALIVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT.
Norah read it over his shoulder. “Who sent that?” Roman’s expression turned cold.
“Someone who knows exactly what happened twelve years ago.” Gideon suddenly appeared in the doorway. “We caught one.”
Roman followed him into the corridor. A wounded man was being held against the wall by two guards.
Roman grabbed him by the collar. “Who hired you?” The man smiled despite the blood on his lips.
“You really have no idea, do you?” “Tell me.” “Samuel Vain never betrayed you.”
Roman went completely still. “He protected you.” “From whom?” The prisoner slowly turned his eyes toward Norah.
“From her father.” Norah’s heart seemed to stop. “My father is dead.” The man gave a quiet, unsettling laugh.
“No. Your mother is.” Roman froze. Norah looked from the prisoner to Roman.
“What does that mean?” The prisoner lowered his voice. “She’s been alive this entire time.”
Then a phone began ringing somewhere in the darkness. Roman turned toward the sound.
Slowly, Norah looked at the screen. The caller ID displayed a single word: MOTHER.
Her entire body went cold. Roman answered. For several seconds, there was only static.
Then a woman’s trembling voice whispered: “Norah… if Roman is with you, don’t trust him.” Roman’s expression changed instantly.
The woman continued: “He killed Samuel.” The call abruptly ended.
Norah stepped away from Roman. For once, he didn’t try to stop her. His gaze fell to the old photograph lying on the table.
Then, almost too quietly to hear, he spoke. “I didn’t kill Samuel.”
He looked toward the dark windows. “But I know who did.”
Outside, across the street, a woman lowered a pair of binoculars.
She had been watching Norah all night.
And after twelve years of hiding, she had finally found her daughter.
