Chapter 4 - THE SECRET HIDDEN BENEATH THE BLUEBIRD
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For a long moment, nobody moved.
Dominic raised his weapon.
“Hands where I can see them.”
Richard obeyed slowly.
“I understand why you don't trust me.”
“You broke into my house.”
“I came for my granddaughter.”
“You sent someone to photograph her bedroom.”
Richard's expression changed.
“What?”
Dominic showed him the message.
Richard stared at the screen, and genuine alarm crossed his face.
“I didn't send that.”
“That's what Vanessa said.”
“Then perhaps, for once, she's telling the truth.”
Dominic ordered the guards to search Richard. They found no weapon, only a wallet, a passport, and a small photograph of Isabella holding Emma as a baby.
Emma tugged at Dominic's sleeve.
“Daddy, that's Grandpa Richard.”
“I know, sweetheart.”
“He used to bring Mommy flowers.”
Richard's eyes filled with tears.
“I did, little bird.”
Dominic looked at him sharply.
“Don't call her that.”
Richard lowered his head.
“Isabella called her that first.”
The room fell silent.
Dominic finally ordered everyone except Marcus and Sophie out of the nursery.
“Start talking,” he said. “And don't leave anything out.”
Richard sat in a chair, looking older than Dominic remembered.
“Three years ago, Isabella discovered that someone was using her foundation to move money into accounts controlled by a criminal organization. She thought the money was connected to your business.”
“Was it?”
“No. Not at first.”
Dominic's eyes narrowed.
“Explain.”
“Your father had arranged a private network of accounts before he died. Some were legitimate. Others were used to conceal money from people who wanted him dead. When he passed, those accounts were supposed to be dismantled.”
“Who kept them running?”
Richard hesitated.
“Your uncle, Vincent.”
Dominic felt a cold wave pass through him.
Vincent Moretti had been his father's younger brother. He had vanished after a violent dispute when Dominic was twenty, and the family had assumed he was dead.
“Vincent is dead,” Dominic said.
“That's what your father wanted everyone to believe.”
Marcus exchanged a look with Dominic.
Richard continued.
“Isabella discovered that Vincent had been using the old accounts to finance his return. She wanted to expose him before he could get close to you or Emma.”
“Why didn't she tell me?”
“She was afraid you'd confront him before she had enough proof.”
Dominic's jaw tightened.
“And you knew?”
“I helped her gather documents. Then Vanessa found out.”
“Why was Vanessa involved?”
Richard looked toward the door.
“Because Vincent had been paying her.”
Dominic's expression became murderous.
Richard held up a hand.
“I don't know how much she knew. She claimed she thought she was helping a group of investors. But when Isabella confronted her, Vanessa panicked.”
Dominic remembered the recording.
If Dominic finds out, he'll never forgive you.
He stepped closer.
“What happened the night Isabella died?”
Richard took a shaky breath.
“She was supposed to meet me at a safe house. I arrived late because someone had intercepted my car. When I reached the location, she was gone.”
“Then why did the security footage show you at my house?”
Richard shook his head.
“Because I wasn't at your house that night.”
Dominic placed the footage in front of him.
Richard watched it carefully.
“That man is wearing my coat,” he said. “But look at his left hand.”
Marcus zoomed in.
The driver's hand was visible for less than a second.
A silver ring gleamed on his little finger.
Richard stared.
“Vincent wore that ring.”
Dominic lowered the tablet.
“Then the man in the footage wasn't you.”
“No.”
“Why would Vincent impersonate you?”
“To make it look as if I had helped Isabella disappear. He wanted me blamed for her death.”
Dominic was silent.
It was possible. But possibility wasn't proof.
Richard reached into his coat and removed a small envelope.
“I found this in a safe deposit box after Isabella disappeared. I was going to give it to you when I knew it was safe.”
Dominic took it.
Inside was a photograph of Isabella standing outside a rural medical clinic. She looked thinner than he remembered, but unmistakably alive.
The photograph was dated eight months after her supposed death.
Dominic's knees nearly buckled.
“Where was this taken?”
“Outside a clinic in northern Louisiana. I received it anonymously.”
“Why didn't you bring it to me?”
“Because the person who sent it warned me that if I contacted you, they would kill her.”
Dominic stared at the photograph.
“Then why come now?”
“Because two days ago, someone sent me another message.”
Richard placed his phone on the table.
The message read:
The little girl found the evidence. Retrieve the bear before Vincent does.
Dominic looked at Emma.
She hugged the teddy bear tighter.
Richard continued.
“I believe Isabella is alive, but I don't know who has her or why she's been hiding.”
Dominic turned to Marcus.
“Get the safety-deposit box. Now.”
Marcus examined the key from the bluebird figurine.
“The bank is closed.”
“Then find out who controls the building. I want the box opened tonight.”
Marcus left.
Dominic turned back to Richard.
“You'll remain here until I know you're telling the truth.”
Richard nodded.
“I expected nothing less.”
That night, the investigator returned with a sealed evidence case. Inside the safety-deposit box were financial ledgers, several photographs, and a letter addressed to Dominic.
He opened it with trembling fingers.
My love, if you're reading this, the people who threatened us have finally made their move. Don't believe the story about the accident. Don't trust the police report. And whatever happens, keep Emma away from Vincent.
Dominic read the letter twice.
A second page contained a list of names. Several belonged to men Dominic had worked with for years.
One name was circled in red.
Marcus Reed.
Dominic slowly raised his eyes.
His investigator stood across the room, watching him.
“Boss,” Marcus said quietly, “there's something you need to know.”
Dominic's hand moved toward his weapon.
Marcus placed both hands on the table.
“I didn't know Isabella was alive when I started working for you.”
“That's not what I asked.”
Marcus took a breath.
“My former supervisor was the lead investigator on her accident. Three months ago, he contacted me. He said the original evidence had been altered.”
“Who altered it?”
Marcus looked toward the locked guest wing.
“Vanessa Sterling.”
Before Dominic could respond, the lights went out.
A gunshot shattered the darkness.
When the emergency lights flickered on, Marcus was on the floor.
May you like
And the envelope containing Isabella's letter was gone.
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