Chapter 1 - The Tag Inside the Coat
Vincent stared at the half-eaten chocolate chip cookie in his palm.
He slowly stood up from the expensive Persian rug.
The men in the library pretended not to watch him.
Nobody wanted to be caught staring at the most dangerous man in Philadelphia after he had just allowed a toddler to hug him.
Leah Bennett grabbed her daughter's hand with trembling fingers.
She practically dragged the little girl toward the heavy oak doors.
Maisie waved over her mother's shoulder.
Vincent did not wave back.
His eyes fell to the floor where Maisie had been standing.
The oversized navy coat had slipped off the little girl's shoulders during the hug.
It now lay in a small heap on the floor.
Vincent walked over and picked it up.
The fabric was worn at the elbows and smelled faintly of lavender detergent.
He intended to hand it to his security chief to return to the maid.
But as he lifted the coat, the inner collar flipped backward over his wrist.
A small, faded white tag was sewn into the dark lining.
It was not a brand label.
It was a custom nametag of the sort wealthy families used for boarding school uniforms.
Vincent froze completely.
Graham Slate took a step forward.
He asked his boss if everything was alright.
Vincent did not answer.
His heart hammered violently against his ribs.
He traced the faded black ink on the white tag with his thumb.
The name sewn inside the coat was Julian Carrow.
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It was the name of Vincent's younger brother.
It was the name of a man who had been murdered and buried fifteen years ago.
