Chapter 15 - Bianca’s Last Lie|
Vittorio claimed Bianca had been more than Adrian’s accomplice.
“She was recruited years ago,” he said. “Adrian introduced her to the company as a consultant. She was supposed to identify weak points in Roberto’s security and discover where the old documents were stored.”
Roberto stared at him.
“Why would she target Elena?”
“Because your wife was the one person your mother trusted. We believed she had been given access to the missing account.”
I felt cold.
“So the affair was part of the plan?”
Vittorio shrugged.
“Bianca was attractive. Roberto was careless. The opportunity presented itself.”
Roberto stood abruptly.
“Do not talk about my marriage as though it were a business arrangement.”
Vittorio’s mouth tightened.
“You made it one when you allowed her into your life.”
The words struck because they contained a piece of truth.
Roberto sat again, but his voice was steady.
“You’re right about my failure. You are not entitled to use it to excuse yours.”
The meeting ended shortly afterward. Vittorio refused to answer further questions without his attorney, but the investigators now had enough evidence to pursue Bianca’s role more aggressively.
Bianca herself had been moved to a protected location. She agreed to a second interview after learning that her brother had been arrested.
This time, she told the truth.
She had entered the mansion to search for the brass key to the hidden compartment. Adrian had promised that once the ledger was recovered, he would transfer money into an account for her and arrange for her to leave the country.
The dinner was a distraction. Roberto was supposed to keep Bianca occupied while Adrian’s men searched the study. When I returned unexpectedly, Bianca hid in my wardrobe.
“Why did you accuse me of attacking you?” I asked.
“Because I panicked. Adrian told me to make you look unstable if you found me.”
“And when Roberto defended you?”
“I knew I could use it. I thought if he chose me publicly, you would leave the house and stop asking questions.”
I looked at her.
“You wanted me to believe I was losing my marriage because I wasn’t good enough.”
Bianca began to cry.
“I was jealous.”
“Of what?”
“Your place in his life. Your name. The way he listened when you spoke. Even when he was lying to you, he cared whether you were disappointed in him.”
I had no response.
She continued.
“I told myself you were spoiled, that you had everything. I never considered how lonely you were.”
“Loneliness doesn’t justify what you did.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
She nodded, wiping her face.
“I’m going to testify. I’ll tell them everything about Adrian, Vittorio, and the money.”
“Why now?”
“Because I’m tired of being afraid of the people I helped.”
I stood.
“I hope you tell the truth. But I won’t promise to forgive you.”
“I’m not asking you to.”
For the first time, Bianca did not try to manipulate the room into comforting her.
Outside, Roberto waited beside the police vehicle.
“How did it go?” he asked.
“She’s going to testify.”
He nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
“You’ve said that before.”
“I know. I don’t expect the words to change anything. I just want to keep acknowledging what I did.”
I studied him.
“You need to do that even when I’m not here to hear it.”
“I will.”
A detective approached us.
“Adrian has agreed to cooperate,” she said. “But he wants one condition.”
“What condition?” Roberto asked.
“He wants to meet Elena alone.”
I shook my head immediately.
“No.”
The detective nodded.
“That was my recommendation, too. We’ll conduct any interview under supervision.”
She paused.
“However, Adrian says he can identify the person who ordered the most recent attempt on Bianca’s life.”
Roberto’s expression sharpened.
“Who?”
May you like
The detective looked at me.
“He says the order came from someone who has been helping your family for years.”
