Chapter 19 - The Brother Daniel Never Mentioned|
The man waiting outside the maternity ward was named Thomas Parker.
He was in his early thirties, with dark hair, tired eyes, and a small scar across his chin.
Natalie had seen photographs of Daniel's parents and cousins. She had never heard of a brother.
"Who are you?" she asked.
Thomas looked at her with sadness.
"I'm Daniel's younger brother."
Natalie stared.
"Daniel told me he was an only child."
"He told people that because he didn't want our family involved in his life."
"Why?"
Thomas lowered his eyes.
"Our father was abusive. Daniel left home when he was eighteen. He changed his name legally and never looked back."
Natalie felt overwhelmed.
She had just given birth. Her daughter was being monitored, and her body was exhausted.
She did not know whether she could handle another secret.
"Why are you here now?"
Thomas took a breath.
"Because Daniel asked me to find you if anything happened to him."
Alessandro stepped forward.
"What did he leave you?"
Thomas glanced at him.
"You're Alessandro Vitale."
"Yes."
"Daniel said you might be difficult to deal with."
Despite everything, Alessandro almost smiled.
"That sounds like him."
Thomas reached into his jacket and removed a small envelope.
"Daniel gave me this before he died. He told me not to open it unless Natalie was in danger or someone tried to take the evidence."
Natalie took the envelope.
Inside was a photograph of Daniel and Thomas as children, standing beside their mother.
There was also a short note.
If Thomas finds you, listen to him. He knows the truth about our father, and he knows why I never trusted Richard Bell.
Natalie looked up.
"What truth?"
Thomas sat down.
"Our father worked for a private security company. He was involved in surveillance and financial investigations. Richard Bell recruited him years ago. When Daniel discovered that the company was being used to intimidate people, he tried to expose it."
"Was your father involved?"
Thomas nodded.
"At first. He thought he was doing legitimate work. Then he discovered the company was collecting private information and using it to pressure people. He wanted to leave."
"What happened?"
"He died in a car accident."
Natalie's blood ran cold.
"Another accident?"
Thomas nodded.
"Daniel believed it wasn't an accident. He thought Richard had arranged it because our father wanted to talk."
Natalie stared at him.
"Why didn't Daniel tell me?"
"Because he thought the less you knew, the safer you would be."
She looked down at the envelope.
It contained one more document.
A handwritten statement from Daniel.
Richard Bell was involved in our father's final investigation. Frank Vitale provided the financial cover. Anthony Russo helped move the money. I found evidence that the same network was responsible for both deaths.
Natalie's hands began to tremble.
Thomas continued.
"Daniel wanted to expose them. He believed he had enough evidence to prove that the company was behind our father's death and that they were using the same methods again."
"Do you know what happened to Daniel?"
Thomas shook his head.
"No. But I know he was frightened. He called me the night before he died and told me to keep the envelope safe."
Natalie looked at Alessandro.
Her brother had been listening silently.
"Did you know any of this?"
"No," Alessandro said.
Thomas studied him.
"Then you need to know something else. Richard Bell isn't the only person who can explain what happened."
"Who else?"
Thomas looked toward the hospital entrance.
"Frank's driver. He was there the night Daniel died. And he's ready to testify."
Natalie closed her eyes.
For two years, she had believed Daniel's death was a tragedy without an explanation.
Now the truth was finally within reach.
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But the driver had one condition.
He would only speak if Alessandro Vitale agreed to meet him without his security team.
