Chapter 7 - THE LIGHTHOUSE ACCOUNT|
The lighthouse account was not a bank account.
It was a coded financial archive created by Daniel Brooks. He had used the name because the records were designed to guide anyone who wanted to trace the money behind Luca Moretti's death.
Elena discovered this the following morning.
Her mother had returned safely, accompanied by an old family friend. She was shaken but unharmed.
On the kitchen table, Margaret placed a small metal tin.
"Your father gave me this two weeks before he died."
Inside were three photographs, a flash drive, and a folded map of Meridian Harbor.
The first photograph showed Daniel standing beside Rafael's father, Anthony Moretti.
The second showed Daniel speaking to a man in a gray coat.
The third showed a shipping container with a faded company logo.
Elena recognized the logo.
Sinclair Maritime.
Her mother sat down.
"Your father believed the shipment that night was arranged by the Sinclairs. He found payments from Anthony Moretti's private accounts to a company connected to them."
"Why would Rafael's father work with the Sinclairs?"
"Your father thought they were planning to take control of the harbor. Luca discovered something and tried to warn his brother."
Elena inserted the flash drive into her laptop.
A folder appeared.
Inside were scanned invoices, bank transfers, and audio files.
The first recording began with Daniel's voice.
"If this reaches Elena, it means I failed to protect her."
Elena's eyes filled.
Her father's voice sounded tired but familiar.
"The shipment was never supposed to arrive. Someone changed the route. Luca found out and threatened to tell Rafael. Anthony ordered me to keep the records quiet."
A second voice answered.
"Then destroy them."
Daniel replied:
"No. I won't help you bury a murder."
The recording ended.
Elena covered her mouth.
Her father had not died in an ordinary accident.
He had been silenced.
The next file contained a list of payments. One name appeared repeatedly.
Alessandro Moretti.
Elena stared at it.
She called him.
He answered immediately.
"Miss Brooks."
"Why is your name in my father's records?"
There was a long silence.
"Because I was the one who helped him hide the evidence."
"Did you know he was killed?"
"I suspected it."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because I was afraid you would be next."
Elena's anger rose.
"You let me work in that building for three years."
"I watched over you."
"You watched me fall in love with a man whose family destroyed mine."
Alessandro's voice broke.
"Your father asked me to protect you. He never asked me to tell you the truth."
Elena closed her eyes.
Then she heard a car stop outside.
Her mother looked through the curtain.
Two men were getting out.
May you like
One held a photograph.
Elena recognized herself in it.
