Chapter 16 - THE WOMAN WHO CARRIED THE EVIDENCE|
Luca didn't accuse me.
He didn't raise his voice.
But something between us had changed.
When we returned to the mansion, he asked me to sit in his office.
"Tell me everything your father ever told you about his work."
I shook my head.
"I've already told you."
"Think carefully."
"Why?"
"Victor believes you have something he needs."
I looked at him.
"Do you believe him?"
Luca didn't answer immediately.
That hurt more than I expected.
I stood.
"I've spent my entire life trying to prove that I'm not a liar. I'm not going to start defending myself to you now."
He looked away.
"I need to understand."
"Then ask me questions. Don't look at me like I'm your enemy."
He stood too.
"You're not my enemy."
"Then trust me."
Silence.
Finally, he nodded.
That night, I returned to my room.
I opened my father's old box again.
The silver necklace.
The photographs.
The letter.
Something caught my attention.
The necklace had a tiny seam along its back.
I pressed it.
A small compartment opened.
Inside was a folded piece of paper.
My father's handwriting covered it.
Emma, if you ever find this, remember that the truth is hidden where the dead are remembered.
I read the sentence several times.
Then I remembered something.
My father had kept a small notebook inside the family Bible at our old apartment.
I had assumed it contained religious notes.
Perhaps it contained something else.
I called Daniel.
"Do you remember Dad's Bible?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Did you ever look inside it?"
"Not really."
"Can you find it?"
Daniel went quiet.
"Emma, there's something I should tell you."
"What?"
"Someone came to the rehabilitation center yesterday asking about Dad's belongings."
My stomach tightened.
"Who?"
"He said he was from the police."
"Did you give him anything?"
"No."
I exhaled.
"Good."
Daniel lowered his voice.
"But he knew something only Dad's family would know."
"What?"
"He called you by the nickname Dad used when you were little."
My throat tightened.
"What nickname?"
"Little Sparrow."
Only my father had ever called me that.
Daniel continued.
"Emma, I think somebody close to us has been watching for years."
Before I could respond, a loud crash came from the hallway.
I opened my bedroom door.
The corridor was empty.
Then I noticed a piece of paper beneath my door.
It was a photograph of my old apartment.
A red circle had been drawn around the family Bible.
On the back were six words.
YOUR FATHER NEVER TRUSTED LUCA EITHER.
I stared at the message.
Then my phone rang.
It was Luca.
"Emma, don't leave your room."
"Why?"
"We found someone inside the security system."
"Who?"
May you like
His voice became cold.
"Your brother."
