Chapter 12 - DOMINIC'S LAST LIE|
Dominic denied everything.
He claimed Arthur was trying to protect himself and that the evidence had been manipulated.
Nora listened without speaking.
Then she placed her mother's photograph on the table.
“Did you love her?”
Dominic looked at the image.
“Yes.”
“Then why did you let her die?”
“I didn't.”
“Why did you disappear?”
“Because I was threatened.”
“By whom?”
Dominic looked at Arthur.
“Your grandfather.”
Vincent folded his arms.
“Grandfather died thirty years ago.”
“His organization didn't.”
Dominic explained that Lena had discovered a hidden financial agreement between the older generation of the Russo family and the Gallows. The agreement involved transferring several businesses to a secret trust controlled by the family patriarch.
Lena wanted to expose it.
Dominic wanted to stop her.
He admitted that he had argued with her on the night she disappeared but denied ordering her murder.
Nora watched him.
“You were the last person who saw my mother alive.”
Dominic nodded.
“Yes.”
“And you never looked for her?”
“I did.”
“Then why didn't you tell anyone?”
Dominic looked away.
Vincent had heard enough.
He ordered Paulie to search Dominic's old properties.
The search uncovered a storage room containing photographs of Lena, copies of her letters, and a diary written by Dominic.
One entry was dated the night Lena vanished.
She knows about the transfer. If she speaks, the entire arrangement collapses. Beatrice says she can handle it. I have to believe her.
Vincent placed the diary on the table.
“You knew Beatrice was involved.”
Dominic said nothing.
“You knew she could hurt Lena.”
“I thought she would frighten her into silence.”
Nora stood.
“My mother was not a business problem.”
Dominic looked at her.
“I loved her.”
“Then you should have protected her.”
He reached toward Nora.
She stepped back.
“Don't.”
Dominic's face crumpled.
Vincent ordered his uncle placed under guard while the authorities reviewed the evidence. Dominic did not resist.
But that night, the security team discovered that his room was empty.
A service door stood open.
And a note had been left on the pillow.
The truth is in Chicago. Come alone if you want to know what happened to Lena.
Vincent read it twice.
Paulie looked at him.
“It's a trap.”
“I know.”
Nora stepped forward.
“Then we don't go alone.”
Vincent shook his head.
“You're staying here.”
“No.”
“Nora—”
“She was my mother. I deserve to know.”
Vincent looked at her for a long moment.
Then he nodded.
“We go together. But you stay behind the security team.”
Nora agreed.
Before dawn, they left for Chicago.
And as their convoy crossed the state line, Vincent received a photograph.
It showed Camila asleep in her bed.
May you like
Beneath it were five words:
WE HAVE YOUR MOTHER NOW.
