Chapter 6 - THE VAULT BENEATH THE CHAPEL|
The family vault was beneath a private chapel on the estate grounds.
It had been sealed after Dominic disappeared. Vincent's father had ordered the entrance bricked up, claiming the vault contained nothing of value.
Nora held the key.
Vincent stood beside her as Paulie removed the old panel.
The lock turned with a heavy click.
Inside were shelves of documents, photographs, and several small boxes. Dust covered everything.
Nora stepped into the room.
“Why would my mother hide something here?”
Vincent examined the shelves.
“Maybe she wanted someone in the family to find it.”
He opened the first box.
Inside were letters between Dominic and Lena. They described a plan to leave New York and raise their daughter far from the family business.
Another box contained photographs of a young Dominic holding a baby.
Nora stared at the image.
For the first time, she saw a face that resembled her own.
Then Vincent found a leather folder.
It contained a document transferring ownership of several legitimate Russo businesses to a person identified only as the child of Dominic and Lena.
Nora shook her head.
“I don't want this.”
“You don't have to accept it.”
“Then why did they hide it?”
Vincent turned another page.
There was a handwritten note from his mother.
If Lena's daughter ever returns, tell her that Dominic did not abandon her. He was taken before he could come home.
Nora looked at him.
“Taken by whom?”
Before Vincent could answer, footsteps echoed outside the chapel.
Paulie drew his weapon.
“Someone's here.”
A man appeared in the doorway.
He was older, broad-shouldered, and wore a dark overcoat.
Vincent recognized him immediately.
“Uncle Dominic?”
The man smiled.
“Hello, nephew.”
Nora stepped backward.
Dominic's eyes moved to her.
Then his expression changed.
“Isabella.”
She shook her head.
“My name is Nora.”
Dominic studied her.
“You look exactly like your mother.”
Vincent moved between them.
“You've been alive all these years.”
“Obviously.”
“Why didn't you come back?”
Dominic's smile vanished.
“Because your father wanted me dead.”
Vincent's jaw tightened.
“My father has been dead for fifteen years.”
“His enemies aren't.”
Dominic looked toward the vault.
“Did you find the documents?”
Nora held the folder against her chest.
“Why do you want them?”
Dominic looked at her.
“Because they're yours.”
“Then why did someone steal the sapphire?”
He paused.
“Because the sapphire contained the evidence that could prove who ordered your mother's death.”
Nora felt her legs weaken.
“Who killed her?”
Dominic looked at Vincent.
May you like
Then he answered.
“Your mother was killed by the same woman who humiliated Camila.”
