Chapter 16 - THE FATHER WHO WAS BURIED ALIVEDominic did not speak during the drive back to Manhattan.
Maria's statement had opened a possibility he had never allowed himself to consider.
His father might have survived.
For twelve years, Dominic had visited a grave, placed flowers beside a marble headstone, and believed that the man who taught him everything was gone.
Now there was evidence that the grave might contain someone else.
Michael's replacement investigator, Daniel Foster, examined the medical documents.
"The records are unusual," Daniel said. "The original hospital entry indicates your father was alive when he was transferred. But the official death certificate was issued two days earlier."
"That makes no sense."
"Exactly. Someone created the certificate before the death was officially recorded."
Dominic looked out the window.
"Find the facility."
Daniel searched the address.
The property had once been registered to a private medical company. Its records showed that it had closed six years earlier.
But the electricity bills continued.
Someone was maintaining the building.
Dominic contacted the state authorities and arranged for a legal search.
Elena sat beside him.
"Do you think he's alive?"
"I don't know what to believe anymore."
She gently placed her hand over his.
"You don't have to decide tonight."
He looked at her.
It was strange how easily she could make him feel less alone.
When they reached the mansion, Isabella was waiting in the library.
She had heard about Maria's discovery.
Her face changed when Dominic mentioned the private facility.
"No," she whispered.
"Mom?"
She sat down.
"Your father was taken there after the attack. I visited him once."
Dominic stared at her.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because Anthony told me he would kill you if I ever spoke about it."
"Was he alive?"
Isabella's eyes filled.
"Yes."
Dominic felt the room spin.
"How long?"
"Several months. He could speak, but he couldn't move without assistance. The doctors said his condition was improving."
"Then what happened?"
"Anthony discovered I had visited him. The next time I went, your father was gone."
Dominic clenched his fists.
"You let me believe he was dead."
"I thought you would be killed if you knew."
He turned away.
"I spent twelve years mourning a man who might have been waiting for me."
Isabella began crying.
"I know."
Dominic struggled to contain his anger.
Then Elena stepped between them.
"Mr. Moretti, your mother has already lost twelve years with you. Don't let Anthony take another minute."
Dominic looked at her.
The anger did not disappear, but something inside him softened.
He approached Isabella.
"I don't know how to forgive all of this."
She nodded.
"You don't have to forgive me tonight."
He embraced her.
The following morning, the search team entered the abandoned medical facility.
Most of the rooms were empty.
But one contained an old wheelchair, medical supplies, and a photograph of Dominic's father.
On the back was a date.
Three years earlier.
A second room contained a locked filing cabinet.
Inside were medical reports bearing the name of a patient identified as Daniel Moreau.
The latest report stated that the patient had been transferred to a private residence.
The receiving signature belonged to Anthony Moretti.
Dominic stared at the document.
His father had not simply disappeared.
Anthony had personally arranged his transfer.
Daniel Foster looked up from another file.
"Boss, there's something else."
He handed Dominic a medical photograph.
It showed an elderly man lying in a hospital bed.
His face was thinner, his hair almost entirely gray.
But Dominic recognized him immediately.
His father.
And beneath the photograph was a handwritten instruction:
TRANSFER PATIENT TO THE MORETTI ESTATE. DO NOT INFORM THE FAMILY.
Dominic's phone vibrated.
May you like
A message from an unknown number appeared.
YOUR FATHER IS ALIVE. BUT IF YOU COME FOR HIM, HE WILL NOT SURVIVE THE NIGHT.
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