Chapter 11 - THE MAN WHO SIGNED THE DEAD MAN'S NAME|
Dominic returned to the mansion with Margaret Whitmore under discreet protection.
He did not confront Robert immediately. The attorney had served the Vitale family for decades, and if he was involved in the conspiracy, Dominic wanted proof before giving him an opportunity to disappear.
Marcus isolated the security footage and examined every frame.
“The reflection is clear,” he said. “Robert entered your study at 3:17 a.m. He stayed for eleven minutes.”
“What did he take?”
“We don't know yet. But he left with a document folder.”
Dominic looked toward the private study.
The room had been searched twice since Rose's disappearance. Nothing appeared missing except a few old papers.
Then he noticed that the framed photograph of his father was crooked.
Dominic straightened it.
Behind the frame, a narrow compartment had been cut into the wall.
Inside lay a stack of documents, a small digital recorder, and a list of account numbers.
The top document bore his father's signature.
Dominic recognized the handwriting immediately.
But the date was impossible.
His father had supposedly died six years earlier. The document authorized a transfer of funds to a company created only three years ago.
“Someone has been using his identity,” Marcus said.
Dominic picked up the recorder.
A voice crackled through the speaker.
His father's voice.
“If this recording is ever played, it means I failed to protect my family. Anthony has returned to the Circle, and I no longer know who can be trusted.”
A pause followed.
Then his father continued.
“Robert believes the key should be destroyed. I disagree. The records must survive, even if the family does not.”
Dominic closed his eyes.
The recording continued.
“Emily has agreed to hide the key. If anything happens to me, she will know what to do. If anything happens to her, the truth must be found through the children.”
The message ended.
Dominic sat motionless.
His father had known he was in danger. He had anticipated that Emily might be killed. He had left clues for the children because he no longer trusted the adults.
“There's another recording,” Marcus said.
The second file began with the sound of a door closing.
Then Robert's voice filled the room.
“You can't keep doing this. Anthony has already killed one man who refused him.”
Dominic's father replied, “Then let him come for me.”
“He will come for your children.”
“He will never touch them.”
Robert gave a bitter laugh.
“You don't control the world anymore.”
The recording stopped abruptly.
Dominic looked at Marcus.
“Robert wasn't merely protecting the family. He was arguing with my father about the Circle.”
“And he may have been working with Anthony.”
Dominic stood.
“Bring him here.”
Robert arrived twenty minutes later, carrying his briefcase and wearing his usual expression of professional concern.
“Dominic, I heard about the security breach.”
“Sit down.”
Robert glanced at the documents on the desk.
His face changed.
Only slightly.
But Dominic saw it.
“You've been in this room,” Dominic said.
“Of course. I've been your attorney for years.”
“Last night. At 3:17.”
Robert placed his briefcase on the floor.
“I came to retrieve documents related to the estate.”
“Which documents?”
“The ones you just found.”
Dominic leaned forward.
“Why?”
Robert looked at the recorder.
“Because I was trying to prevent you from making a terrible mistake.”
“By stealing evidence?”
“By keeping you alive.”
Dominic's voice turned cold.
“Start talking.”
Robert took a long breath.
“Your father made an agreement with the Black Wolf Circle. He gave them access to certain accounts in exchange for protection. When he tried to withdraw, they threatened your family.”
“And you helped him.”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you hide the truth?”
“Because the truth would have destroyed the family before you were old enough to defend it.”
Dominic stood.
“You don't get to decide what my family deserves to know.”
Robert lowered his head.
“No. I suppose I don't.”
Then the attorney reached into his briefcase and removed a photograph.
It showed Robert standing beside Anthony Vitale outside the warehouse where Anthony had supposedly died.
On the back was a date.
Six months before the fire.
May you like
And beneath it, in Robert's handwriting, were four words.
The replacement body is ready.
