Volume 6: The Flame of Vengeance
Synopsis: Jack has uncovered crucial evidence against Richard's criminal empire and begins meticulously planning his revenge. He not only intends to reclaim everything that was taken from him but also to send every betrayer and tormentor straight into hell.
Chapter 12: Political Deals
Jack sought out Isabella. Ever since the incident with Emily, she had carried a deep sense of guilt. She wanted to do everything in her power to help Jack—not just with words, but with action.
"Isabella," Jack said, his voice tinged with exhaustion. The past few days of relentless investigation had drained him physically and emotionally. "I need your help."
Without hesitation, Isabella met his gaze, her blue eyes filled with determination. "Tell me what you need, Jack. Whatever it takes, I'll do it."
"I need to get close to Richard," Jack said bluntly. "Only by getting close can I find real evidence linking Alexander Clayton to money laundering."
Isabella hesitated for a moment, then understood exactly what he meant. Richard was currently held at Rikers Island—a maximum-security prison under tight surveillance. Reaching him would be nearly impossible.
"This is too dangerous, Jack," Isabella said with concern. "Rikers is heavily guarded. You won't be able to just walk in."
"I know," Jack sighed. "That's why I need your connections. You have access to people who might be able to help."
She remained silent for a few moments, weighing the risks. But she knew Jack's desperation, his need for justice. Finally, she nodded.
"I have a friend who works at the New York State Department of Corrections," she said. "Maybe he can help arrange a visit."
"Thank you, Isabella," Jack said gratefully.
She didn't respond—she knew Jack didn't need gratitude right now. He needed support. She immediately picked up the phone, dialed a number, and spoke in hushed tones for a few minutes before hanging up.
"My friend says he can set up a visit," Isabella turned back to Jack. "But you'll need forged documents proving you're either a relative or a legal representative of Richard."
Jack nodded. That wouldn't be a problem. Kevin could forge anything given enough time.
"I'll have Kevin prepare the documents," Jack said. "We'll schedule the visit as soon as possible."
Two days later, armed with forged credentials, Jack arrived at Rikers Island. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. This visit was critical—he had to make it count. He needed information from Richard about Clayton, and there would be no second chances.
After a thorough security check, Jack was led into a small, sterile visiting room. A single table and two chairs stood under the harsh fluorescent lights, the air thick with the scent of antiseptic.
The wait felt endless. His heartbeat quickened. He rehearsed every word in his mind, ensuring there were no gaps in his approach.
Then, finally, Richard entered the room. Dressed in an orange jumpsuit, his hair unkempt and face pale, he looked like a ghost of his former self—the arrogant Wall Street tycoon was gone.
When Richard saw Jack, surprise flickered across his face. "You… what are you doing here?"
Jack didn't answer. He pulled a photo from his pocket and placed it on the table. It showed Richard and Alexander Clayton together, smiling, shaking hands.
"You know him?" Jack asked coldly.
Richard's face paled. He avoided eye contact. "I… I don't know him."
"Don't lie," Jack snapped. "Do you really think I'd come all this way without knowing the truth? Clayton is your boss. He used you to launder money, didn't he?"
Richard remained silent. He tried to form a defense, but quickly gave up. He knew Jack wouldn't fall for any lies.
"What do you want?" Richard asked, his voice hoarse.
"I want details on Clayton's money laundering operations," Jack said. "His channels, his accomplices, and all the evidence I can use against him."
Richard exhaled slowly. "Clayton is very careful. He doesn't leave traces. All I know is that he uses an offshore trust fund based in Bermuda. Beyond that… I don't know much."
"You're holding back," Jack pressed. "What else has Clayton done?"
Richard shook his head. He seemed afraid—terrified of what might happen if he spoke.
"Clayton has too much power, Jack," Richard whispered, fear lacing his voice. "You can't beat him. I'm telling you—walk away. Or you'll end up destroyed."
Jack ignored the warning. "Who else does Clayton work with in politics? What kind of deals has he made?"
After a long pause, Richard finally spoke. "There's Senator Thomson. They're connected. Clayton gives him political donations to fund his campaigns. In return, Thomson pushes policies that benefit Clayton's business interests."
"Senator Thomson?" Jack's eyes narrowed. He had heard the name before—an influential senator from New York.
"Yes," Richard confirmed. "They've got a dirty deal going. Money for power. Power for protection."
A chill ran through Jack. Now he understood why Richard had been so confident in his crimes. He had powerful allies behind him.
"What else?" Jack demanded. "What other secrets is Clayton hiding?"
Richard shook his head again. He was clearly terrified. Terrified of what Clayton might do to him—or worse, to his family.
"That's all I can say," Richard muttered. "Leave me alone. Don't come back. We're both in danger."
Jack studied him for a moment, knowing he wouldn't get anything more. Without another word, he stood up and walked out.
As he stepped outside Rikers Island, Jack felt the weight of a new reality settle over him. This wasn't just about Clayton anymore—it was about a vast network of influence, a corrupt political system built on greed and secrecy.
He would need to be smarter, more cautious than ever, if he wanted to take them down.
Back in the basement, Kevin waited anxiously.
"Well?" Kevin asked. "Did you get anything?"
Jack relayed everything Richard had told him—including the money laundering through Bermuda and the political ties with Senator Thomson.
"Senator Thomson?" Kevin frowned. "This complicates things. He's not some minor player."
"I know," Jack replied. "But we can't back down. We need proof of their illegal dealings. Only then can we bring them both down."
"It won't be easy," Kevin sighed. "They'll be careful. No loose ends."
Jack thought for a moment. "Let's start with Thomson's campaign finances. If we can trace illegal donations from Clayton, we might find something."
"That's actually a good idea," Kevin said. "I'll dig into Thomson's financial records. Let's see what's hiding beneath the surface."
Over the next few days, Kevin worked in secret, using his hacking skills to infiltrate the internal networks of Thomson's campaign team. He extracted confidential files and data logs, carefully analyzing each transaction.
Eventually, he found something suspicious. Clayton Capital had funneled massive political donations into Thomson's campaign—far beyond legal limits. And the source of these funds was complex, with some coming from anonymous offshore accounts.
"We've got something!" Kevin said excitedly, handing Jack a file. "This is a list of donations from Clayton to Thomson, including detailed records of where the money came from and where it went."
Jack scanned the document carefully. It was enough to prove a corrupt relationship between the two—but not enough to prove direct involvement in money laundering.
"This proves they have a connection," Jack said. "But it's not enough. We need more."
"What should we do?" Kevin asked.
Jack paused, then answered calmly, "We get closer to Senator Thomson. There must be something there we can use."
Getting close to Senator Thomson wouldn't be easy. Surrounded by bodyguards and advisors, protected by layers of bureaucracy, reaching him would be nearly impossible.
"I'll figure it out," Jack said. "No matter what it takes—I will get the evidence on Clayton. And I will bring him—and everyone who helped him—down."