Chapter 8 - The Price of the Truth
Marco got me out through the back door.
We ran across Margaret's garden and reached his vehicle just as another gunshot shattered a kitchen window.
"Where is Margaret?" I demanded.
"She's safe."
"How do you know?"
"Because she planned this."
He drove without explaining.
I held the key in my fist.
"Are you working for Alexander?"
Marco kept his eyes on the road.
"I work for the Moretti family."
"That isn't an answer."
"No. It isn't."
"Then answer me."
He finally looked at me.
"I've protected you for seven years, Claire. Even when you didn't know you needed protection."
I stared at him.
"From Alexander?"
"From people who wanted access to him through you."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because he ordered me not to."
I looked out the window.
Another betrayal.
Another person who had decided I wasn't entitled to the truth.
Marco took me to a small apartment owned by an old family associate.
Rebecca arrived an hour later.
She was furious.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you investigating people who have been missing for twenty-six years?"
"Because they're connected to my identity, my marriage, and a company that appears to have been built using my name."
Rebecca took a breath.
"Fair enough. But from now on, you don't go anywhere without telling me."
The following morning, we visited the bank.
Box 614 contained three things.
A sealed envelope.
A small digital recorder.
And an original shareholder certificate for Victoria Holdings.
The certificate named Nicholas Moretti as the controlling beneficiary.
The envelope contained a letter.
Claire,
If you are reading this, then the family has failed to keep the truth buried.
My mother believed people should be judged by what they do when they have power over someone weaker.
I watched you work on the hotel project. I saw your plans. I saw how my father took your ideas and presented them as his own.
You were never supposed to become part of their business.
But when Alexander married you, everything changed.
He believes he can protect the family by controlling the people around him.
He is wrong.
The recorder contains the original agreement and the evidence of what happened to my mother.
Do not trust anyone who tells you the fire was an accident.
N.
I pressed the play button.
A woman's voice filled the small room.
Victoria.
Her voice was calm, but there was fear beneath it.
"If anything happens to me, the original company records must remain outside the family trust. My husband has discovered the second ledger. He believes it contains evidence of the transfers made through the estate."
A man's voice interrupted.
"You're making a mistake."
I froze.
It was Alexander's father.
Victoria continued.
"You promised Nicholas he would inherit the company. You cannot erase him simply because he disagrees with you."
Then another voice.
Younger.
Alexander.
"Father, stop."
I looked at Rebecca.
Alexander had been there.
He had known.
The recording continued.
His father said, "Your brother is weak. He doesn't understand what this family requires."
Alexander answered, "He's still your son."
A loud crash followed.
Then Victoria shouted.
"Run, Nicholas!"
The recording ended.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then my phone rang.
Alexander.
I answered.
"Where are you?"
"Somewhere you can't control."
"I know about the bank."
My heart began racing.
"How?"
"Because someone has been following you."
I looked at Marco.
He was standing by the window, watching the street.
Alexander continued.
"My father knows you have the recorder. He's sending men to find you."
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because I just had to stop him from ordering your death."
The room went silent.
I swallowed.
"Why would he want me dead?"
"Because the original ledger identifies the person who ordered the fire."
I gripped the phone.
"Who?"
Alexander's voice cracked.
May you like
"My mother."
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