Chapter 4: The Fall of Richard Hayes
The interrogation room smelled like steel and regret.
Richard Hayes sat alone, his arm in a cast, his confidence gone.
Andrew stood behind the glass, watching.
“Everything he built,” an agent said beside him, “is collapsing. Accounts frozen. Partners talking. Charges stacking.”
Andrew didn’t respond.
“He’s asking for a deal.”
That made Andrew smile slightly.
“Of course he is.”
Inside the room, Richard finally looked up—directly at the glass.
Like he knew.
Like he could feel Andrew there.
The agent leaned closer. “You want to go in?”
Andrew shook his head.
“No.”
“Why not?”
Andrew turned away.
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“Because he doesn’t matter anymore.”
And that was worse than any punishment Richard Hayes could imagine.
