Chapter 4 - THE NAME THAT MADE HIM ANGRYThe police arrived twenty minutes later.
They questioned the customers, photographed the broken window, and collected the weapons. Daniel's security chief, Thomas Blake, coordinated with the officers.
Maya sat in the office with a blanket around her shoulders.
Ellen stood near the filing cabinet.
Neither woman had spoken much since the robbery.
Finally, Maya broke the silence.
"Who is Dominic Moretti?"
Ellen closed her eyes.
"He's dangerous."
"That isn't an answer."
"He owns businesses. Restaurants, shipping companies, construction firms."
"That's what the police report will say?"
Ellen looked at her.
"Dominic Moretti is the head of a criminal organization."
Maya felt her stomach tighten.
"And Daniel knows him?"
Daniel appeared in the doorway.
"We've known each other for years."
"Friends?"
"No."
"Enemies?"
Daniel paused.
"That depends on the day."
He explained that the Moretti organization controlled several legitimate businesses along the East Coast. Dominic's influence extended into construction, transportation, and private security.
Daniel's father had once done business with the Moretti family.
The relationship had ended after a financial dispute.
"Then why would they want me?"
Daniel looked at Ellen.
"Because Margaret found something."
Ellen shook her head.
"Please don't."
Maya stood.
"I deserve to know."
Daniel placed a photograph on the desk.
It showed Margaret standing outside a courthouse with a younger Daniel.
"She wasn't simply my father's secretary," he said. "She was helping him investigate financial records connected to Dominic Moretti."
Ellen sat down.
"Your father was going to expose the operation."
"Yes."
"And Margaret?"
"She disappeared before the investigation was completed."
Maya stared at the photograph.
"She died five years ago."
"I know."
Daniel opened another document.
A bank statement showed regular payments to a company registered under Margaret's name.
The payments had continued long after her death.
Maya leaned closer.
"Who received the money?"
"Someone using her identity."
Ellen whispered.
"That's impossible."
Daniel turned toward her.
"Mrs. Brooks, your sister left behind a daughter. She may have hidden something important with her."
Maya felt a sudden coldness.
"Are you saying this is about me?"
"I believe your aunt knew someone would eventually come looking for what she discovered."
A knock interrupted them.
Thomas entered.
"Boss, the men from the robbery have been identified."
Daniel looked up.
"Who are they?"
"One is a former employee of the Moretti shipping company. The other has been arrested twice for extortion."
"Who hired them?"
"Neither is talking."
Thomas handed him a small plastic evidence bag.
Inside was a silver coin bearing a three-point crown.
Daniel stared at it.
Maya noticed his reaction.
"What is that?"
"An old Moretti symbol."
He turned the coin over.
A number had been engraved on the back.
Daniel immediately called his attorney.
"Get me the records from the old Riverside warehouse."
Thomas looked concerned.
"Boss, that place has been closed for years."
"Not anymore."
Daniel ended the call.
Maya approached him.
"You're going after them?"
"I'm going to find out why they want you."
"That isn't what I asked."
He looked at her.
For the first time, his usual calm seemed to disappear.
"Yes, Maya. I'm going after them."
She shook her head.
"I don't want anyone getting hurt because of me."
Daniel's voice softened.
"You didn't cause this."
He glanced at the coin.
Then he said something that changed everything.
"The three-point crown belonged to my father before he became enemies with Dominic Moretti."
Maya looked at him.
"Your father?"
Daniel nodded.
"His name was Richard Reed."
May you like
He placed the coin on the desk.
"And he was murdered twelve years ago."
Related Stories
