Chapter 9 - THE BROTHER'S LAST MESSAGE|
Rafael spent the night in his brother's old room.
He had not entered it in years.
The furniture remained untouched. Luca's books were stacked beside the bed, and a photograph of the two brothers stood on the dresser.
Rafael picked it up.
They had been twenty-four and eighteen, standing outside the old harbor office. Luca was laughing. Rafael looked irritated, although he remembered being happy that day.
The storm had begun hours later.
The family had told him Luca lost control of his car on a wet road. The police report supported the explanation. Anthony Moretti had insisted there was nothing more to investigate.
Rafael had believed him.
Now Daniel Brooks's recordings suggested otherwise.
He called Alessandro.
"I need the complete story."
Alessandro arrived before dawn.
He looked older than Rafael remembered.
"Your father was working with Charles Sinclair to move weapons through the harbor," Alessandro said. "Luca discovered the shipment. He told your father he would expose it."
"Why didn't he tell me?"
"Because he thought you would be killed too."
Rafael sat down.
"What happened that night?"
"Your father ordered Daniel to alter the shipment records. Daniel refused. Luca tried to leave with the original ledger. Someone followed him."
"Who?"
Alessandro hesitated.
"Your father's security chief."
Rafael's hands tightened.
"Did my father order Luca's death?"
"I don't know whether he ordered it directly. But he covered it up."
"And Daniel?"
"He had copies of the records. He planned to give them to the police."
"Then he died."
Alessandro nodded.
Rafael stood abruptly.
He crossed the room and struck the dresser with his palm.
The photograph fell.
For twelve years, he had blamed the rain, the road, and himself. He had believed he could have saved Luca if he had answered his phone that night.
Now he understood that the tragedy had been engineered by people he had trusted.
"Where is the security chief?"
"Dead."
"Who replaced him?"
Alessandro looked at him.
"Your father hired a man named Victor Hale. He still works for the Sinclairs."
Rafael's phone rang.
It was Elena.
He answered immediately.
"Are you safe?"
"I need to see you."
"Where?"
"Not at the penthouse. Not at your office."
"Tell me where."
She gave him an address.
Then she added:
"Rafael, I found another recording. It mentions Luca. And it mentions you."
He felt the room grow colder.
"What does it say?"
May you like
Elena paused.
"It says your father knew you were supposed to be in that car."
