Chương 9
“Because he was still protecting people.”
“Because he was still controlling the process.”
That sounded like Lorenzo.
“Did they agree to anything?”
“No final agreement exists.”
“So the FBI raid may have nothing to do with his cooperation.”
“It may have everything to do with it. Different agencies do not always move in perfect coordination, and secrecy inside a criminal organization has limits.”
“Does Dominic know?”
“He suspects Lorenzo has been withholding information. Tonight may confirm more than we wanted.”
Elena sat opposite Isabella. “Why did Lorenzo wait eight months?”
Claire closed the briefcase. “Because he believed he could transfer legitimate assets, place vulnerable people elsewhere, and identify which officials Dominic had compromised.”
“He believed he could clean his own crime scene before surrendering,” Isabella said.
“Yes.”
“Do you approve?”
“I advised him repeatedly that delay increased the risk.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
Claire looked tired. “I do not confuse representing a man with approving him.”
Outside, the reservoir wind moved through the trees. A loose branch scratched the roof in irregular bursts.
Isabella took the wedding ring from her pocket and placed it on the table.
The diamond flashed beneath the fluorescent light.
Elena looked away.
Claire said, “You may need independent counsel.”
“I need the police.”
“You may. But before you contact anyone, understand that the photographs you took could expose you to questions about how you obtained them and whether they were altered.”
“I photographed a ledger in my husband’s office.”
“That is not the dangerous part. The dangerous part is what happens after law enforcement receives them. They will want your phone. Your accounts. Statements. Timelines. They may separate you from Lorenzo’s resources. The defense will attack your motives. Dominic may leak private information. Cooperating is not a door you walk through once.”
“Are you trying to stop me?”
“No. I’m making sure you decide with open eyes.”
Isabella touched the ring. “My brother died because everyone decided silence was safer.”
Claire nodded. “That is also true.”
The front door opened.
Elena stood so fast her chair fell backward.
Lorenzo entered alone.
Blood darkened the cuff of his white shirt.
“Not mine,” he said before either woman asked.
Elena crossed the room. “Carlo?”
“Alive.”
Her knees nearly gave way. Claire caught the fallen chair and pushed it beneath her.
“Where is he?” Elena asked.
“County hospital under another name. He has a broken hand, two cracked ribs, and a concussion.”
“I’m going.”
“You can’t yet.”
“I am his mother.”
“Dominic’s men may be watching the hospital.”
“Then let them watch.”
Lorenzo took out his phone. “Claire’s investigator is with him. He’ll arrange a video call when Carlo wakes.”
Elena’s relief turned immediately into anger. “You found him and left him there?”
“I had to make certain I wasn’t followed.”
“You always have a reason.”
“Yes.”
She struck his chest with both hands. Once, then again. Lorenzo remained still while she hit him, her motions becoming weaker until she gripped his jacket instead.
“My son is not payment for your sins,” she said.
“No.”
“You will not use him.”
“No.”
She released him and walked into the living room.
Lorenzo removed his jacket. A streak of blood marked the sleeve, but he appeared uninjured.
“What happened?” Claire asked.
“We found Carlo in a storage unit near Yonkers. Dominic’s men left him with a phone, a gun, and instructions to drive the van through the bakery gate before morning.”
“Why didn’t he?”
“He crashed the car they gave him into a barrier and ran.”
“Did he identify the men?”
“One.”
“Can he testify?”
“If he chooses.”
Elena called from the living room, “He will choose for himself.”
Lorenzo looked toward her voice. “Yes.”
Isabella watched him roll his bloodstained cuff above his wrist. His hands were calm. She wondered whether he had been this calm beside Matteo.
“Did Dominic know you found Carlo?” she asked.
“Not yet.”
“What did Carlo tell you about Matteo?”
Lorenzo’s gaze met hers. “He confirmed what I said.”
“That Dominic killed him?”
“Yes.”
“That you arrived before he died?”
“Yes.”
“What else?”
Lorenzo glanced at Claire.
Isabella stood. “Stop looking at other people before you answer me.”
“He said Matteo gave me a message.”
Her heartbeat seemed to stumble.
“What message?”
Lorenzo walked to the sink and washed another man’s blood from his hands. Pink water spiraled toward the drain.
“Matteo said the copies were not with Nadia. He said they were somewhere I would never search because I thought sentiment was weakness.”
“The anniversary.”
“Yes.”
“What did that mean?”
“I assumed the safe code.”
“You left it unchanged so I would find the ledger.”
“Yes.”
Isabella’s fingers closed around the ring. “You wanted me to discover the truth.”
“I wanted you to have a path to it if I failed to tell you.”
“You had eighteen months.”
“I failed every day.”
The answer contained no attempt at forgiveness. That made it harder to dismiss.
“Where are Matteo’s original copies?” Claire asked.
“I don’t know,” Lorenzo said.
Isabella remembered the voicemail Nadia had described. Check the anniversary. She had assumed the date was a key. Perhaps it referred to something else.
Matteo had attended her wedding, though he had almost refused. He had given her a flat rectangular gift wrapped in newspaper because he disliked formal paper. Inside was a cheap wooden recipe box containing handwritten cards from their grandmother. Isabella had laughed, then cried, then accused him of stealing half the cards from their mother.
The box sat in the pantry at the estate.
She looked at Lorenzo.
“What?” he asked.
“The wedding gift.”
Understanding moved across his face.
Claire closed her briefcase again. “No one returns to the estate tonight.”
“The records may be in the recipe box,” Isabella said.
“Then they can remain there.”
“Dominic knows Matteo left copies.”
“He does not know where.”
“He knows the anniversary clue. You heard him mention Matteo locking doors. He was testing me.”
May you like
Lorenzo picked up his jacket. “I’ll send someone.”
“No,” Claire said. “Anyone connected to you may be watched.”
