Chapter 5 - The Web of Port Alder
Over the next four days, Gabriel’s recovery was nothing short of miraculous. Without the toxic nylon constantly leaching chemicals into his bloodstream, his body’s natural resilience took over. By the fifth day, he was out of bed, wearing a dark silk robe, walking slowly around the vast library with only a slight limp.
Sadie remained in the room continuously. A small adjoining study had been converted into her private bedroom. Her old maid’s uniform was replaced by simple, high-quality dark clothing provided by Gabriel's personal staff.
Her role had changed completely. She was no longer cleaning floors; she was analyzing every piece of physical evidence that entered the estate.
Marcus sat at a wide mahogany desk near the fireplace, surrounded by encrypted laptops, financial ledgers, and tactical reports.
“The shell company that bought the industrial thread was registered through a law firm in downtown Port Alder,” Marcus reported, clicking through a digital file. “The firm belongs to Julian Cross.”
Gabriel stopped near the window, a glass of dark scotch in his right hand. His shoulder was still heavily bandaged, but his movements were fluid and precise.
“Julian Cross,” Gabriel mused, a cold smile touching his lips. “My chief legal council. The man who manages all my real estate holdings.”
“Cross was the one who suggested you take the dinner meeting at the restaurant in Port Alder three weeks ago,” Sadie noted from her seat across the room, where she was examining a list of delivery schedules for the Vale estate.
Gabriel turned his dark gaze toward her. “Go on, Sadie.”
“I looked through the estate's staff logs for the last month,” Sadie said, pulling a paper folder from her lap. “Three days before you were shot, the security cameras on the north gate were turned off for forty-five minutes for 'routine maintenance.' The order was signed by Julian Cross’s office.”
“He was clearing a path for the shooters,” Marcus growled, slamming his heavy hand onto the desk. “That bastard set up the ambush AND supplied the thread to Vance.”
“Julian isn't smart enough to plan a two-stage assassination on his own,” Gabriel said calmly, taking a slow sip of his drink. “He’s greedy, not brilliant. Someone is holding his leash.”
“The Broker,” Sadie said softly.
Gabriel nodded. “Julian is going to lead us straight to him.”
He walked over to Sadie, standing close to her chair. The scent of expensive cologne, tobacco, and something distinctly dangerous washed over her. Even recovered, Gabriel Vale possessed an overwhelming presence that commanded absolute attention.
“Tonight, Marcus is going to bring Julian Cross to the estate for an emergency 'budget review,'” Gabriel said down to her. “Julian believes I am hours away from death. He thinks he’s coming here to discuss my will.”
“What do you want me to do?” Sadie asked, looking up into his dark, magnetic eyes.
“I want you to sit in this room, in the shadows behind my desk,” Gabriel replied, reaching out to gently touch her chin with his long fingers. “I want you to listen to every word he says. Watch his hands. Watch his eyes. Tell me when he lies.”
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Sadie felt a shiver run down her spine—not of fear, but of an electric, terrifying thrill. “I can do that.”
Gabriel smiled, a genuine, terrifyingly handsome expression that made her heart hammer against her ribs. “I know you can, little maid. You're my finest weapon.”
