Chapter 4: The Truth About Elias Kane
John reopened the case involving Victor’s brother.
Three years earlier, Elias Kane had led an armed smuggling operation involving stolen weapons, forged identities, and human trafficking routes across several states.
John had led the final raid.
The official report stated that Elias opened fire while holding three civilians hostage. John returned fire, and Elias died at the scene.
But one detail troubled him.
Victor had not been listed as a member of the organization.
John asked an intelligence analyst to review old financial records.
Hours later, she entered his office carrying a folder.
“You were right.”
She placed several documents on the desk.
“Victor wasn’t just Elias’s younger brother. He handled transportation, money laundering, and offshore accounts.”
“Why wasn’t he arrested?”
“He disappeared two days before the raid.”
John looked at the transfer records.
Someone had warned Victor.
A payment had been made from one of Elias’s accounts to a police employee.
John’s face hardened.
“There was a leak inside the department.”
Captain Miller entered.
“How high does it go?”
“We don’t know yet.”
John examined a photograph of Elias and Victor standing together years earlier.
“This was never about ten million dollars.”
Miller nodded.
“Victor kidnapped Lily because he wanted revenge.”
“No.”
John looked at the hidden payment.
“He also wanted to draw me back into this case.”
That evening, Victor called.
John answered without speaking.
“You found the money trail,” Victor said.
“You had someone inside the department.”
Victor laughed quietly.
“I still do.”
The call ended.
May you like
John looked around the crowded operations room.
For the first time, he realized Victor might be watching him from inside the police station itself.
