Chapter 7 - THE WOMAN BEHIND THE EMPIRE
Rico Castellano had lied to Mary once.
She wasn't going to give him another chance.
"Who put my father here?" she demanded through the door.
Rico hesitated.
"Open the door, and I'll explain."
"No."
"Mary—"
"Tell me now."
A long silence followed.
Then a woman's voice answered.
"I did."
Mary turned toward Angela.
They both recognized the voice.
Eleanor Voss.
The billionaire hospital investor stood outside the room with Rico and two private security contractors.
"Your father discovered something that would have destroyed several powerful families," Eleanor said.
Mary pressed her palm against the door.
"So you imprisoned him?"
"I protected him."
"For ten years?"
"Some secrets are more dangerous than death."
Mary looked at Daniel.
He was shaking his head.
"You're lying."
Eleanor sighed.
"Daniel was injured after the warehouse incident. Severe neurological trauma. He needed medical care."
"Then why hide him?"
"Because he refused to surrender information that belonged to my company."
Mary's voice sharpened.
"What information?"
Eleanor didn't answer.
Instead, the electronic lock clicked.
Mary backed away.
The door opened.
Rico entered first.
His hands were empty.
Eleanor followed.
She wore a cream-colored coat and the silver bracelet Mary had been warned about.
Mary stared at the serpent engraved along its clasp.
"You."
Eleanor smiled.
"Jack told you about the bracelet."
"Where is he?"
"Alive."
"Let him go."
"Give me what he took."
Mary shook her head.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Eleanor studied her.
Then she glanced toward Daniel.
"Your father developed a secure transport ledger for Anthony Martini's logistics network. He discovered that certain medical shipments were being used to move illegal cargo."
Mary's stomach tightened.
"What kind of cargo?"
"Controlled pharmaceuticals. Stolen medical supplies. Eventually, weapons components."
"And you financed it."
Eleanor smiled faintly.
"I financed the hospitals. Anthony handled transportation."
"People died."
"People always die when powerful men become careless."
Mary stared at her.
"You're not even ashamed."
"Shame doesn't keep institutions open."
Daniel made a strained sound.
Eleanor turned toward him.
"Daniel, please. We've been through this."
He lifted his trembling hand.
Mary followed his gaze.
He was pointing at Eleanor's bracelet.
Again.
And again.
Suddenly, Mary understood.
"The bracelet," she whispered.
Eleanor stopped smiling.
Mary looked at Rico.
"That's what Jack was trying to tell me."
Rico's face tightened.
Eleanor slowly covered her wrist.
Mary continued.
"The woman with the silver bracelet. Jack knew you were involved."
Eleanor stepped forward.
"Enough."
But Mary had noticed something else.
The serpent engraving wasn't decorative.
A tiny hinge ran along the underside.
A concealed compartment.
Mary remembered Jack's letter.
Your father copied the files.
She looked at Daniel.
"Did you hide something inside her bracelet?"
Daniel blinked once.
No.
Mary frowned.
"Does the bracelet unlock something?"
One blink.
Yes.
Eleanor lunged toward her.
Rico caught Eleanor's arm.
"Don't."
Eleanor turned on him.
"Get out of my way."
"No more."
She stared at him.
Rico looked toward Mary.
"I helped destroy her life."
"Rico," Eleanor warned.
"I told her Vincent didn't want her. I forged the note. I delivered the necklace."
Mary's eyes filled.
Rico continued.
"And I knew Daniel Andrews was alive."
Mary stepped backward.
"You knew?"
Rico nodded.
"I've spent ten years telling myself I was following orders."
"Whose orders?"
Rico looked at Eleanor.
"Anthony Martini's."
Eleanor laughed.
"Anthony is dead."
Rico's expression changed.
"That's what you told everyone."
The room went silent.
Mary stared.
"What?"
Rico swallowed.
"Anthony Martini didn't die five years ago."
Eleanor's face went white.
Rico looked directly at Mary.
"His death was staged."
Mary felt the world shift beneath her feet.
"Where is he?"
Rico shook his head.
"I don't know."
Eleanor stepped toward the door.
"You're all making a catastrophic mistake."
But before she could leave, Gabriel Torres appeared in the hallway with two uniformed hospital security officers.
Behind him stood Vincent.
Pale.
Breathing carefully.
Holding the doorframe for support.
He looked at Eleanor.
Then at Rico.
Then at the man lying in the bed.
May you like
His eyes narrowed.
"Someone better explain why my father is apparently still alive."
