Chapter 8 - A DINNER WITH THE DEVILDominic invited Maya and Daniel to the Moretti estate.
Maya didn't want to go.
She had spent her entire life avoiding people who made her feel powerless, and the thought of entering a mansion controlled by a criminal family was deeply unsettling.
But the documents suggested that Margaret's final clue led there.
Daniel offered to accompany her.
"You're not going alone."
"I didn't ask you to."
"Good."
The estate stood behind a tall stone wall in Westchester.
A security gate opened before their vehicle reached it.
Inside, the mansion was enormous, with marble floors, antique paintings, and a staircase that curved toward a second-floor gallery.
Maya noticed several security officers watching her.
Dominic met them in the entrance hall.
"Welcome."
He looked toward Maya.
"You have your father's eyes."
She stiffened.
"Please don't say things like that unless you know what you're talking about."
Dominic seemed surprised.
Then he nodded.
"Fair enough."
He led them into a private dining room.
An older woman was seated near the fireplace.
"Isabella," Dominic said, "this is Maya Brooks."
The woman looked up.
Her expression changed immediately.
"Margaret's little girl."
Maya stared.
"You knew my aunt?"
Isabella stood and approached her.
"I did. She saved my life once."
She explained that Margaret had worked at the estate years earlier, helping Isabella after her husband died.
Margaret had discovered Anthony's financial activities and tried to warn the family.
But she had disappeared before she could reveal everything.
"Why didn't you help her?" Maya asked.
Isabella lowered her eyes.
"Because I was afraid."
The answer was honest.
And painful.
Dinner began in uncomfortable silence.
Then Dominic asked Maya about the diner.
She explained that Ellen had owned it for nearly twenty years and that she had worked there since finishing college.
"Why didn't you pursue something else?"
"Because bills don't care about dreams."
Daniel glanced at her.
Dominic gave a small nod.
"Your father used to say something similar."
Maya looked at him.
"Did you know him?"
"Not well. But I respected him."
A sudden sound came from the hallway.
Someone had dropped a glass.
A young man entered, apologizing.
He introduced himself as Adrian Moretti.
Dominic's nephew.
Maya noticed his eyes move toward her handbag.
He seemed startled when he recognized the photograph sticking out of it.
"Where did you get that?"
Maya covered the picture.
"Why?"
Adrian glanced at Dominic.
Then he smiled.
"Nothing. I thought it was familiar."
After dinner, Isabella took Maya to a small sitting room.
She opened an old wooden box and removed a photograph.
It showed Margaret holding a baby.
Beside her stood Richard Reed.
On the back, someone had written:
MAYA — OUR LAST HOPE.
Maya's eyes filled.
"Why would my aunt write that?"
Isabella looked toward the door.
"Because she believed Anthony would eventually return for you."
Maya swallowed.
"Return for me?"
Isabella nodded.
"Your father didn't simply discover financial fraud. He discovered that Anthony had arranged the fire that destroyed your family."
Before Maya could respond, the mansion lights went out.
A loud crash echoed through the corridor.
Then a security officer shouted:
"THE EAST WING HAS BEEN BREACHED!"
Dominic rushed toward the door.
Daniel pulled Maya behind him.
And from somewhere inside the darkness, a familiar voice called her name.
May you like
"Maya Brooks."
It was Victor Hail.
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