Chapter 6 - THE SINCLAIR RETALIATION
The morning sun broke through the gray clouds over Boston Harbor, casting long, sharp shadows across the concrete docks of the North End.
Inside the glass-walled conference room of Moretti Shipping, Adrien sat at the head of the mahogany table reviewing the federal indictment papers against Arthur Sinclair.
Marcus Bennett stood by the projection screen, tapping a remote.
"The asset freeze hit their accounts at midnight," Marcus reported, adjusting his glasses. "Sinclair’s shipping lines are grounded in three different ports. The Coast Guard has impounded two of their container ships carrying undeclared goods."
Adrien didn't look up from the papers. "And Vanessa?"
"She boarded a private flight to Zurich at four this morning," Marcus said. "Her father’s legal team is trying to distance themselves from the forgery charges, claiming she acted independently."
"Let her run," Adrien said coldly. "If she sets foot in the United States again, the federal marshals will be waiting at the tarmac."
The heavy oak doors of the conference room burst open.
Abel hurried inside, his face pale, breathing heavily.
"Boss," Abel said, gripping the edge of the table. "We have a situation at the South Side medical center."
Adrien stood up so fast his chair tipped over backward.
"Isabella?"
"She went for her routine prenatal checkup an hour ago," Abel gasped. "Her security detail lost visual for three minutes in the underground parking garage. Her car is still there, but she's gone."
The room went dead silent.
Marcus dropped his tablet onto the table with a loud clatter.
Adrien’s face drained of all color, his eyes turning pitch black with a fury that made the seasoned bodyguards near the door step back.
"Who?" Adrien asked, his voice dropping into a register that barely registered as human sound.
"Arthur Sinclair's remaining loyalists," Abel said grimly. "They didn't run to Zurich, Boss. They stayed behind to trade blood for their lost ships."
Adrien reached into his coat, pulled out his tactical holster, and clicked a fresh magazine into his Beretta.
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"Call every capo in the five boroughs," Adrien commanded, walking toward the door. "Tell them to burn the city to the ground until they find my wife."
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