Chapter 12 - THE PRICE OF TELLING THE TRUTH|
Victor Hale did not enter the building.
He stood beneath the streetlight, rain running down his coat, and held up a photograph.
It showed Elena's mother leaving her apartment.
Rafael moved toward the door.
Elena caught his arm.
"Don't."
"He is threatening your mother."
"And he wants you to react."
Rafael stared through the glass.
Victor placed the photograph on the hood of his car and drove away.
The next morning, Elena and Rafael met with a federal investigator named Claire Donovan. She had spent years examining financial crimes connected to organized shipping operations.
She listened to the recordings without interrupting.
When they finished, she placed her pen on the table.
"These files are significant. But we need authentication and a chain of custody. We also need someone who can explain the original transactions."
"Daniel Brooks," Elena said. "My father."
"He's deceased."
"Alessandro Moretti is alive. He helped my father preserve the evidence."
Claire nodded.
"Then he needs to cooperate."
Rafael looked uncomfortable.
"Alessandro has been part of the family for decades."
"That does not make him immune."
"I understand."
Claire leaned forward.
"Mr. Moretti, your name appears in several company documents. If you want to help us, you need to understand that you may also be investigated."
Rafael did not hesitate.
"Do what you need to do."
Elena looked at him.
He was finally choosing truth over the family name.
After the meeting, they walked along the river.
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"About what?"
"Turning over evidence that could destroy your family's business."
Rafael looked at the water.
"The business was built to serve the family. Somewhere along the way, the family became an excuse to destroy people."
He turned toward her.
"I don't want to live like my father."
Elena's expression softened.
"Then don't."
For a moment, the city seemed quiet.
Then her phone rang.
Her mother's doctor.
Elena answered.
"Hello?"
The doctor's voice was urgent.
"Your mother has been admitted. Someone tampered with her medication, and we need you at the hospital."
Elena went pale.
Rafael took the phone gently.
"Which hospital?"
He listened, then ended the call.
"Come on."
As they hurried toward the car, Elena looked back at the river.
A black vehicle had been parked across the street.
May you like
Its engine started.
And it began following them.
