Contents
Chapter 28
Overview
Ace confronts hauler Mason Michaelson, forcing him to name Oscar Lang’s concealed partner as Theo Wynn. Realizing Michaelson knowingly profited from trafficking, Ace kills him and eliminates a witness. Ace withholds the name from Keres as leverage while planning to pass it to allies, deepening tension but advancing the hunt for Mia.
Summary
Ace arrives at Mason Michaelson’s trucking yard with Keres and Romeo but orders them to stay outside, asserting control of the operation. Inside Michaelson’s container office, Ace incapacitates a guard and confronts Michaelson, threatening his family to force cooperation. Michaelson admits running transport for Oscar Lang while claiming ignorance.
Pressured, Michaelson says he learned Lang’s partner’s name—Theo Wynn—though the man always hid behind a mask and paid only in cash. When Michaelson slips, revealing he celebrated deals with Lang, Ace realizes Michaelson knowingly participated in trafficking and not only felt trapped afterward.
Fueled by rage and memories of Keres’s past suffering, Ace brutally beats Michaelson to death, then kills the unconscious guard to avoid witnesses. He cleans up and rejoins Keres and Romeo outside, confirming he obtained the partner’s name but refusing to disclose it.
Keres briefly shows vulnerability and hope, but Ace hardens, insisting Mia’s safety comes first. He plans to give the name to Nathan and Lorenzo to develop actionable leads, using the information as leverage to keep Keres close while they continue the search.
Who Appears
- AceLeads the interrogation, extracts Theo Wynn’s name, kills Mason Michaelson and a guard, withholds the intel to control the hunt for Mia.
- KeresDefies Ace’s control, briefly reveals pain and hope on hearing progress, but is denied the partner’s name.
- Romeo (Ace “Romeo”)Backs Ace during the confrontation, watches Keres, and reacts to Ace securing the critical name.
- Mason MichaelsonHauler tied to Lang’s trafficking; reveals Theo Wynn, admits complicity, and is killed by Ace.
- Bandanna-wearing guardOffice guard knocked out by Ace and later killed to remove witnesses.