Chapter 10 - THE SENATOR'S PRIVATE BARGAIN|
Senator Richard Vale had spent thirty years cultivating the image of a public servant who understood the needs of ordinary Americans.
He appeared at hospital fundraisers, spoke at veterans' events, and regularly praised the importance of transparency in government. His face was familiar across Illinois, his speeches polished, his reputation carefully maintained.
He had also been a close friend of Lorenzo's father.
The revelation that he might have helped manipulate Lorenzo's medical records struck harder than any threat from Matteo.
“My father trusted him,” Lorenzo said.
Jonathan closed the folder.
“Trust is not evidence, either for or against him.”
Rosa arranged a secure meeting with Claire through the attorney. Lorenzo insisted on attending, but he agreed that Abigail would remain with him only if she felt safe.
The meeting took place in a private conference room at Jonathan's office.
Claire appeared on a video call from an undisclosed location. Her face was pale, but she spoke with greater certainty than she had at the estate.
“I didn't know about the accident beforehand,” she said. “I want that clear.”
“Then explain your involvement,” Lorenzo replied.
Claire took a breath.
“After your father's death, Senator Vale contacted me. He said the family needed help preventing a financial scandal. He claimed your father had authorized confidential payments to protect several businesses.”
“Was that true?”
“I don't know. But the documents I had seen suggested the payments were being diverted through Northstar Maritime.”
She explained that Matteo had been using shell companies to move money away from the family's legitimate businesses. Vanessa had helped arrange access to accounts and documents. Dr. Whitaker had supplied medical reports that made Lorenzo appear less capable of managing his affairs.
Vale, Claire believed, had used his influence to discourage questions about the family's financial activities.
“Why would a senator become involved in a private family's business?” Abigail asked.
“Because Northstar had contracts with companies connected to several political donors,” Claire replied. “If the records became public, more than one career could collapse.”
Jonathan interrupted gently.
“Do you have documents supporting that claim?”
“I have bank records, correspondence, and a copy of a letter from Senator Vale to Matteo.”
“Where are they?”
“In a storage unit. I can provide the access information to your office.”
Lorenzo leaned closer to the screen.
“And the accident?”
Claire looked down.
“The night of the crash, Matteo met Vale at a private restaurant. I saw them together because I was delivering documents to the senator's aide. I overheard Matteo say that you would never sign the transfer voluntarily.”
“What did Vale say?”
“He told Matteo to make sure the matter was resolved before the board meeting.”
“That could mean anything,” Jonathan said.
“I know. That's why I kept looking.”
Claire revealed that she had later obtained a copy of an internal vehicle inspection report. It indicated that the brake system had been tampered with before the crash, although the report did not identify who was responsible.
The original report had disappeared from the official file.
Jonathan requested the document immediately.
Before the meeting ended, Claire offered to provide a sworn statement and cooperate with the investigation. She understood that her own actions would be examined.
Lorenzo did not forgive her.
But he agreed to hear the truth.
Back at the estate, Abigail found him staring at his father's portrait.
“Do you think he knew what Vale was doing?” he asked.
“I don't know.”
“My father believed people could change if someone gave them a reason.”
“Maybe he was right. Maybe he was wrong. You don't have to decide that tonight.”
Lorenzo turned toward her.
“What if the entire world I inherited was built on lies?”
“Then you decide what you want to build next.”
He took her hand.
“I want something that doesn't require anyone to be afraid of me.”
“That would be a good beginning.”
For a while, they sat together in silence.
Then Rosa entered the room carrying a sealed envelope that had arrived by courier. It contained no return address.
Inside was a photograph of Matteo standing beside a car in an underground garage.
The vehicle was the same model Lorenzo had driven on the night of his accident.
May you like
On the back, someone had written:
The senator gave the order. Matteo carried it out. But the person who cut the brakes was standing behind the camera.
