Chapter 12 - A Deal with the Devil|
Massimo wanted to accept Vittorio's terms.
Sophie knew it from the moment he stopped speaking.
“If I surrender the trust,” he said, “I can get Clara back.”
“And let him keep everything he stole?”
“I don't care about the money.”
“You care about stopping him.”
“I care about keeping you and your sister alive.”
Sophie stood beside the office window, watching the traffic below.
“Then we make a better plan.”
Massimo turned toward her.
“You don't understand how dangerous Vittorio is.”
“I understand that he wants you isolated, frightened, and willing to trade anything for the people you love.”
He said nothing.
“That's why he sent the message. He wants you to surrender before we find the ledger.”
Massimo rubbed his forehead.
“What would you do?”
“Find Clara. Get the ledger. Expose him.”
“And if he hurts her first?”
Sophie had no easy answer.
They spent the afternoon contacting everyone connected to the old foundation. A former bookkeeper remembered that Daniel Reed had used a storage facility near Milwaukee. A retired attorney recalled a sealed deposit box opened under a false name. Each lead brought them closer to the original records.
Then Rafael discovered a new detail.
Clara's adoptive parents had died in a house fire when she was seventeen. Afterward, she had disappeared from official records.
Sophie felt sick.
“Was she alone?”
“Not according to the report,” Rafael said. “A neighbor saw a woman leave the property shortly before the fire.”
“Who?”
“The neighbor couldn't identify her.”
Massimo ordered a full review of the case.
That evening, Sophie received a call from a woman who introduced herself as Claire Hayes.
“I think you should stop looking for me,” the woman said.
Sophie froze.
“Clara?”
A long silence followed.
“Who told you that name?”
“Our mother.”
The line went quiet.
Sophie swallowed.
“My name is Sophie. I'm your sister.”
“I know.”
The words were barely audible.
“You know?”
“I've known for years.”
Sophie gripped the phone.
“Then why didn't you contact me?”
“Because the people who killed our parents were watching you.”
“Do you have the ledger?”
Another silence.
“Yes.”
“Then we can prove what Vittorio did.”
“No. You can prove what he did to your mother. You can't prove what he did to mine.”
Sophie frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“My adoptive parents didn't die because of an accident. They were killed because they kept me hidden.”
Sophie closed her eyes.
“Where are you?”
“I won't tell you.”
“Clara, please.”
“I've spent my entire life being told that family means danger. You don't get to call me sister and expect me to trust you.”
The words hurt because Sophie understood them.
“I don't expect you to trust me,” she said. “I only want you to have a choice.”
Clara breathed shakily.
“If I meet you, Massimo Romano stays away.”
Sophie glanced at Massimo.
“I can promise you that.”
He looked alarmed but said nothing.
Clara gave her a location and a time.
Before ending the call, she added one warning.
“If you bring him, I'll disappear again.”
The next morning, Sophie prepared to leave alone.
Massimo stood by the door.
“I can't let you go without protection.”
“You can send Rafael at a distance.”
“And if something happens?”
“Then I'll do what you taught me.”
“What did I teach you?”
Sophie lifted her chin.
“Don't let fear make your decisions.”
Massimo stared at her for a long moment.
Then he handed her a small emergency phone.
“Keep it switched off unless you need it.”
She accepted it.
As Sophie stepped outside, he called after her.
“Sophie.”
She turned.
“If she asks whether she can trust me, tell her the truth.”
May you like
“What truth?”
“That she shouldn't. Not yet.”
