Chapter 15 - THE VOICE IN THE RECORDING|
Luca played the recording again.
The third voice was distorted, but not enough to hide its identity from Evelyn.
She covered her mouth.
“No.”
Luca turned toward her.
“Who is it?”
Evelyn listened once more.
Then she whispered, “Your uncle, Vincent Moretti.”
Luca stared at her.
Vincent had been his father's closest adviser and the man who helped manage the family business after Anthony died. He had attended Luca's wedding, supported him through Caroline's death, and often reminded him that family loyalty mattered more than public reputation.
Vincent had also been the person who recommended Vanessa as a suitable partner after she returned to Chicago.
“Vincent died eight years ago,” Luca said.
Evelyn shook her head.
“The funeral was private. I was told he had died overseas.”
Marco immediately checked the old records.
There was no verified death certificate, only a statement issued by the family's former attorney.
Rebecca looked at the recording.
“This is not enough to establish what happened to Caroline. But it is enough to justify a deeper investigation.”
Luca replayed the final seconds.
The third voice was clear.
Then we need to make sure she never gets the chance to interfere.
He closed his eyes.
For years, he had blamed himself for not protecting Caroline from the pressures surrounding the family business. Now he wondered whether the danger had come from people he had welcomed into his home.
His phone rang.
Richard.
Luca answered.
“Where is Sophie?”
“Still safe.”
“Put her on the phone.”
“Bring the agreement.”
“The authorities have it.”
Richard laughed.
“Then you have nothing to bargain with.”
“I have the recording.”
The laughter stopped.
For several seconds, neither man spoke.
Then Richard said, “You should have left the past alone.”
“You took my daughter.”
“I gave you an opportunity to correct your father's mistakes.”
“You kidnapped an eleven-year-old child.”
“Because you refused to listen.”
Luca's voice became cold.
“I'm listening now.”
Richard exhaled.
“Then hear this. Vincent is alive. He has the original recording, the original agreement, and the evidence Caroline collected before she died.”
“Where is he?”
“Bring me the blue notebook, and I'll tell you.”
“No.”
Richard's voice hardened.
“Then Sophie stays with us.”
Luca gripped the phone.
“You will not touch her.”
“Your threats don't frighten me.”
“I'm not threatening you. I'm promising that every person involved in this will answer for what they have done.”
Richard ended the call.
Rebecca immediately contacted the investigators.
Within minutes, they learned that the residence outside Philadelphia had been placed under surveillance. A vehicle registered to one of Richard's associates had been seen leaving the property.
Sophie might be moved soon.
The team prepared a coordinated operation with local authorities.
Claire remained beside Luca as he watched the security feed from the mansion.
“You're going to bring her home,” she said.
He looked at her.
“I should have protected her sooner.”
“You can't change what happened before. You can decide what happens next.”
Luca looked back at the screen.
For the first time, he understood that protecting Sophie did not mean controlling every person who entered her life.
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It meant listening when she said she was afraid.
And believing her before the damage was done.
