Blood Before Dawn: The Mercer Betrayal

Three months later, the cold New England winter had stripped the trees along Bellevue Avenue bare, leaving Newport under a blanket of crisp, white snow.

The prestigious four-story brick building on Thames Street that had once housed the corporate headquarters of Harrington & Associates was surrounded by yellow tape and commercial liquidation signs.

A crowd of local business owners, attorneys, and private investors stood inside the grand lobby as the federal bankruptcy trustee took his place behind the podium.

"Lot Number 1," the auctioneer called out over the sound of murmuring bidders. "The complete real estate holding, proprietary infrastructure, and harbor leases of Thames Street, opening bid set at seven million dollars."

Several hands rose across the room, bumping the price steadily higher.

"Eight million."

"Nine million."

"Ten million to the gentleman in the second row."

Standing near the back of the room, Frank Vance raised a single wooden bidding paddle.

"Twelve million," Frank announced clearly.

The room fell silent. Bidders turned in their seats to see who was throwing down such a decisive number. When they recognized Dominic Mercer's chief of security standing beside Marcus Vance, no one raised another paddle.

The auctioneer scanned the quiet floor. "Twelve million going once... twelve million going twice... sold to Mercer Maritime Investments."

Outside, parked by the harbor wharf, Dominic sat in the rear seat of a black Maybach with the window rolled down halfway, breathing in the cold Atlantic air.

Frank walked out of the building, approached the car, and handed a signed deed folder through the window.

"It's done, Mr. Mercer," Frank said. "The entire Harrington firm property is officially under our corporate trust."

Dominic looked at the deed for a brief moment before handing it back. "Have the demolition crews on site by Monday morning. Tear down the interior offices and convert the lower harbor docks into the Mark Mercer Community Sailing and Maritime Education Center."

"And the upper floors, sir?" Frank asked.

"Dedicate them as the permanent headquarters for the Port Workers' Pension Protection Bureau," Dominic answered smoothly. "Funded in perpetuity by the Harrington forfeiture assets."