Chapter 8 - The Truth About Isabella
The revelation left Clara speechless.
Tony's father had been dead for eight years.
Could he really have been responsible for Isabella's death?
Before Victor could explain further, the warehouse lights flickered.
A distant crash echoed through the building.
Victor turned toward the door.
"What was that?"
A guard rushed inside.
"We've got a problem."
Tony Moretti had arrived.
He entered the warehouse with Dominic and several trusted security men. His expression was calm, but everyone who knew him understood that his patience had ended.
"Where is she?"
Gambino stepped into the corridor.
"Welcome to Chicago."
Tony ignored him.
"Where's Clara?"
"Let's talk about the ledger first."
Tony raised a hand.
Dominic placed a briefcase on a nearby table.
"Everything you asked for."
Gambino opened it.
Inside were copies of financial records.
"Where's the original?"
"Safe."
Gambino laughed.
"You think you can bargain with me?"
Tony looked past him.
"Clara!"
She heard his voice.
"Tony!"
The sound made him move instantly.
He pushed past Gambino and entered the room.
Clara was tied to the chair.
Her face was pale, but she was conscious.
Tony crossed the room and untied her.
"Are you hurt?"
She shook her head.
He placed a hand gently against her cheek.
"I'm sorry."
Clara began to cry.
"You came."
"Of course I came."
Dominic escorted her toward the exit.
But Victor blocked the doorway.
"Nobody is leaving until we finish this."
Tony turned.
"Move."
Victor smiled.
"You don't understand what you're involved in."
"Then explain it."
Victor glanced at Clara.
"Her mother was the one who discovered the truth about your father."
Tony's expression hardened.
"What truth?"
Victor spoke slowly.
"Your father was laundering money through the Vance accounts. Isabella found out. She threatened to expose him."
Tony stared.
"That doesn't make him a murderer."
"No. But he was desperate."
Victor took a step closer.
"He arranged for Isabella's car to be sabotaged. The accident was supposed to frighten her into silence. Instead, she died."
Tony felt the words strike him like a physical blow.
For years, he had believed Isabella's death was an accident.
He had never known his father might have been involved.
"You're lying."
Victor shook his head.
"Ask Arthur. Ask Clara. Her mother helped preserve the evidence."
Tony looked at Clara.
She was crying.
"I found a letter," she whispered. "My mother wrote that Isabella knew the truth."
Victor laughed.
"Your mother kept the original ledger. It contains the names of everyone involved."
Tony turned back.
"Where is it?"
Victor's smile widened.
"That's what we've been trying to discover."
Dominic returned.
"Boss, we've got another problem."
Tony didn't look away from Victor.
"What?"
"The briefcase was switched."
Gambino began laughing.
The documents inside were worthless copies.
The real ledger was still missing.
Then Clara spoke.
"I know where it is."
Everyone turned toward her.
She looked at Tony.
"My mother hid something in the Christmas tree."
Tony frowned.
"What?"
"She used to tell me that the truth survives beneath the things people decorate to hide it."
Clara swallowed.
"The photograph in her letter showed the old tree at your estate. I think she hid the ledger inside its wooden base."
Tony understood.
The estate's original Christmas tree had been preserved for decades. It stood in a storage room beneath the west wing.
But before he could respond, Victor pulled out his phone.
"Then we'll go there."
Tony's eyes narrowed.
"You aren't coming anywhere near my property."
Victor smiled.
"Then you should know something. Your father didn't act alone."
He turned the phone toward Tony.
On the screen was an old photograph.
Victor Vance stood beside a younger man.
May you like
Tony recognized him immediately.
Dominic.
