Chapter 9 - THE PRICE OF A BROTHER'S LIFE
Luca had imagined confronting Elias Ward for seven years.
He had imagined demanding answers.
Threatening him.
Forcing him to reveal where Gabriel was being held.
But when Ward finally appeared across a federal interview-room table, Luca felt only exhaustion.
Two agents sat nearby.
Ward wore prison clothing.
His silver hair was disheveled.
For the first time, he looked old.
Luca sat down.
“Four million dollars.”
Ward watched him.
“My father paid you four million dollars.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Ward leaned back.
“Because he wanted your brother alive.”
Luca stared.
Ward explained that Gabriel had obtained financial records identifying the people funding Saint Agnes.
Those records connected wealthy investors, corrupt officials, and private medical administrators.
Gabriel intended to expose them.
But one of the investors discovered his plan.
A contract was issued to have him killed.
Antonio learned about it.
He offered Ward four million dollars to move Gabriel into hiding.
“You expect me to believe you were protecting him?” Luca asked.
Ward shrugged.
“Protection and imprisonment can look remarkably similar.”
Luca's hands tightened.
“Where is he?”
“I don't know anymore.”
“Liar.”
Ward looked toward the agents.
“Your brother escaped my control months ago.”
“Then why did you keep sending threats?”
“Because someone else wanted him found.”
Luca went still.
“Who?”
Ward hesitated.
Then smiled.
“Your father never told you who financed the foundation, did he?”
Luca leaned forward.
“Give me a name.”
Ward shook his head.
“I want protection.”
One of the agents spoke.
“Any agreement would have to go through prosecutors.”
Ward looked back at Luca.
“Then perhaps you should encourage them to move quickly.”
Luca stood.
He was done listening.
At the doorway, Ward called after him.
“Mr. Moretti.”
Luca stopped.
“Your brother didn't disappear because he was weak.”
Ward's expression changed.
“He disappeared because he was the only one brave enough to expose us.”
Luca left without answering.
Outside, Caleb waited beside the car.
“Anything?”
“Ward wants a deal.”
Caleb nodded.
“Prosecutors expected that.”
Luca looked toward the gray sky.
“Did they find Gabriel?”
Caleb hesitated.
“There's news.”
Luca turned.
“What?”
“Rachel received a message through her attorney.”
“From Gabriel?”
“Yes.”
Luca felt his heart hammer.
“What did it say?”
Caleb handed him a phone.
A secure message filled the screen.
Tell Luca I'm sorry.
Tell Emma she saved more lives than she knows.
Tell Lily Daddy is coming home.
Luca read the words twice.
Then a third time.
For seven years, he had imagined his brother dead.
Now Gabriel was promising to return.
But beneath the message was another line.
Don't trust anyone who says Antonio acted alone.
Luca stared.
His father had been involved.
Ward had been involved.
Mercer had been involved.
But someone else had financed the operation.
Someone powerful enough to remain hidden for years.
That evening, Vanessa requested a meeting.
Luca almost refused.
But federal investigators had confirmed that she had provided documents proving Ward's involvement.
She had also identified several bank accounts used to finance the medical network.
Luca agreed to see her.
They met in the mansion's library.
The room where they had once planned their wedding.
Vanessa looked exhausted.
No jewelry.
No makeup.
Her hair pulled back.
“I don't expect forgiveness,” she said.
Luca remained standing.
“Then why are you here?”
“To tell you something I should have told you years ago.”
He waited.
Vanessa placed a photograph on the desk.
Antonio Moretti.
Standing beside a woman Luca didn't recognize.
The woman was in her fifties.
Elegant.
Dark hair.
Sharp eyes.
“Who is she?”
Vanessa swallowed.
“Her name is Evelyn Shaw.”
Luca studied the photograph.
“Never heard of her.”
“She was the foundation's original financial director.”
“And?”
Vanessa's voice trembled.
“She approved the payments to Ward.”
Luca looked up.
“Where is she now?”
Vanessa shook her head.
“That's what scares me.”
“Why?”
“Because Evelyn Shaw died nine years ago.”
Luca frowned.
“Then she couldn't have approved payments made last year.”
Vanessa nodded.
“Exactly.”
She placed a second document beside the photograph.
A bank authorization.
Dated six months earlier.
Signed:
EVELYN SHAW.
Luca stared.
“Someone forged her name.”
“Maybe.”
Vanessa took a trembling breath.
“But Ward once told me Evelyn wasn't dead.”
Luca slowly raised his eyes.
May you like
Vanessa whispered:
“He said Evelyn Shaw was the person who taught your father how to make people disappear.”
