Volume 6: The Flame of Vengeance
Summary: Jack and Kevin secretly trail Richard's informant to uncover evidence of money laundering. They discover that Richard has been transferring illegal funds to an offshore company located in the Caribbean.
Jack snatched the briefcase, tucking it into his coat. His voice was cold and menacing, like a curse from the depths of hell. "Remember our deal. After this is done, I'll give you enough to disappear forever. But if you betray me or leak my whereabouts…"
Rat nodded frantically, bowing deeply. "No, no! I swear! I just want to get away from all this. I just want to live quietly!"
At that moment, the back door creaked open, and several burly men in black suits emerged. Their eyes were sharp and fierce, scanning the area like trained hounds searching for prey.
"Rat! What are you doing? Mr. Carter needs you!" one of them barked, his voice booming like thunder, shattering the silence of the night.
Rat's face turned deathly pale. He looked at Jack with pleading eyes, filled with terror. Jack knew there was no more time to waste.
He grabbed Rat by the wrist, pulling him deeper into the shadows. "Remember, keep your mouth shut, or you'll regret it," Jack warned in a low voice before slipping away into the darkness, moving with the agility of a seasoned operative rather than a homeless man.
He sprinted down narrow alleys, using the cover of darkness to hide his movements. Behind him, the sounds of heavy footsteps and angry shouts echoed as the suited men searched frantically for their quarry. Jack needed to escape quickly, carrying the damning evidence that could bring down Richard, disappearing into the bustling crowds of New York City.
Running past a dumpster, filthy water splashed onto his face, but he didn't have time to wipe it off. He knew Richard's reach was far-reaching; if caught, prison would be the least of his worries—complete annihilation awaited him.
Eventually, Jack reached an old subway station entrance, where the air reeked of urine and rust. He quickly bought a ticket and boarded a train heading towards Brooklyn.
The crowded car was filled with weary commuters and various downtrodden individuals, their eyes hollow and expressions blank, as if they had long lost hope in life. Jack blended in, carefully observing his surroundings to ensure no one noticed anything unusual about him.
Only when the train plunged into the dark tunnel did he relax slightly. Pulling out the briefcase, he opened it again, scrutinizing the documents inside.
Richard Carter's crimes began to form a complete picture in his mind—a jigsaw puzzle of evil deeds. Illegal transactions, money laundering, and even hints of several murders pointed to this heartless Wall Street elite.
He saw his own name listed among the forged evidence and false testimonies meticulously orchestrated by Richard to seize his company, tarnish his reputation, and send him plummeting into ruin.
The fire of vengeance burned fiercely within him, his eyes blazing with anger and hatred. Gripping the documents tightly, his knuckles turned white.
However, when he came across a particular file, his heart sank. It detailed transactions between Richard and a company called Neptune International, based in the Caribbean. The amounts involved were substantial, and the frequency of transactions highly suspicious.
"Neptune International…" Jack muttered to himself, feeling uneasy about the name. He suspected that this company wasn't merely a tool for money laundering but might be part of a larger conspiracy.
Deciding to investigate Neptune International further, Jack knew it was a dangerous path, but he had to uncover the truth—not only for revenge but also to expose Richard's full range of criminal activities.
When the train arrived at a secluded station in Brooklyn, Jack exited and walked along dimly lit streets. Instead of returning to his humble basement apartment, he headed to a familiar street corner where a man in a black leather jacket and baseball cap stood—Kevin.
Kevin, Jack's former colleague and one of his few friends, had not abandoned him during his downfall. Instead, he had provided support in secret, offering intelligence and job leads.
"Did you find any evidence?" Kevin asked in a low voice, his eyes brimming with anticipation.
Jack nodded, handing over the briefcase. "All the evidence against Richard Carter is in here. But I've found new leads that need your help."
Kevin took the briefcase, eagerly flipping through its contents. As he read, his expression grew increasingly grave.
"This bastard! He's committed so many heinous acts!" Kevin exclaimed angrily.
"I need you to look into the background of this Neptune International. Get as much detail as possible," Jack instructed, pointing to the name on the document.
Kevin nodded solemnly. "Consider it done. But be careful, Richard is extremely dangerous. He will stop at nothing to prevent you from succeeding."
"I know." Jack took a deep breath, his eyes filled with determination. "I won't let him win. I'll make him pay for everything he's done, with a terrible price!"
Gazing at the distant city lights, Jack felt a surge of hope and resolve. Though the road to vengeance was fraught with challenges, he would never give up.
He aimed to pull Richard Carter down from his lofty perch, making him taste the bitterness of falling from grace. Those who betrayed and hurt him would pay dearly!
Despite the cold night in New York, a flame of vengeance burned brightly in Jack's heart, illuminating his path forward and guiding him toward ultimate victory. He knew the real battle had only just begun.