Chapter 10 - THE MAN WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD|
Vincent spent the next twelve hours examining the signature.
It was nearly identical to his father's handwriting. The payment had been authorized through an account that had remained dormant since the older Russo's death.
Paulie traced the transfer to a private bank in Switzerland.
The account had been accessed from New York.
“Someone is using a dead man's credentials,” Paulie said.
“Find out who.”
The bank's records revealed that the account had been accessed through a secure terminal inside the Russo estate.
Vincent looked around the office.
“Who has access?”
“Three people. You, me, and the estate administrator.”
The administrator was an elderly man named Arthur Bell. He had served the Russo family for thirty years.
Vincent called him.
Arthur arrived within minutes.
When he saw the microfilm, his expression changed.
“I was hoping you would never find that.”
Vincent stood.
“You know what it is?”
Arthur nodded.
“I helped your father establish the account.”
“Who has been using it?”
Arthur looked toward Dominic.
“Your uncle.”
Dominic stepped forward.
“That's impossible.”
Arthur shook his head.
“You disappeared twenty years ago, Dominic. But your account never did.”
Vincent's eyes narrowed.
“Explain.”
Arthur admitted that Dominic had been communicating with someone inside the family for years. The account had been used to fund private operations, including the search for Lena and Nora.
Dominic denied it.
“You're lying.”
Arthur produced copies of the transfers.
The evidence showed that Dominic had received money through a series of shell companies.
Nora stared at him.
“You told me you were trying to find me.”
“I was.”
“With money from the people who destroyed my mother?”
Dominic looked desperate.
“I didn't know where the money came from.”
Vincent stepped between them.
“Enough. We will establish the truth.”
Arthur then revealed that the person behind the account was not Dominic.
It was Paulie.
The underboss went completely still.
Vincent turned.
“Paulie?”
Paulie raised both hands.
“I can explain.”
“Do it.”
Paulie admitted that he had been investigating the old family records for years. He had discovered that someone was using the account and had secretly followed the transfers.
He had not stolen the money.
But he had hidden his findings from Vincent.
“Why?”
“Because I believed your father might still have enemies inside the family. I wanted proof before I brought it to you.”
Vincent's expression was cold.
“You should have trusted me.”
“I know.”
Before the conversation could continue, the estate alarm sounded.
A guard rushed inside.
“Boss! Someone is at the main gate.”
“Who?”
The guard swallowed.
“He says his name is Arthur Russo.”
Vincent stared at the administrator.
Arthur Bell had not moved.
Then he whispered:
“That's impossible.”
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The voice from the gate came through the security speaker.
“Vincent, open the door. It's your father.”
