Chapter 11
The Statement With Gabriel'S Name
Gabriel read the sworn statement in Grace's office while Alessandro watched him from across the desk. His signature was real.
“I wrote it,” Gabriel admitted.
Alessandro felt the familiar hot rush of betrayal. “For Enzo?”
“No. I saw you kick the stool into Bianca. I thought she could have been seriously hurt.”
“You saw the clippers too.”
“I didn't. I was outside until the shouting started. Then Enzo asked me to report only what I personally witnessed. I should've told you.”
Grace interrupted before either man could raise his voice. “A statement can describe one true thing and leave out the truth that matters. Gabriel, you need to correct it under oath. Don't change what you saw. Add what you learned and when.”
Gabriel nodded. He hadn't been bought, Alessandro realized. He had been afraid to challenge both his boss and Enzo, and somebody had used that fear.
“I'm sorry,” Gabriel said.
“Tell the truth to Ortiz,” Alessandro replied. “Whether it's comfortable or not.”
The next morning the courthouse hallway smelled of coffee and wet coats. Bianca arrived with her lawyer. Rosalie carried a bag of crayons for Livia, who was staying with Teresa. The hearing concerned immediate safety arrangements, not permanent custody.
Alessandro listened while a judge watched the full bridal-suite video. He admitted he'd knocked the stool into Bianca and that he regretted losing control. Rosalie described the clippers and the child's fear. Grace introduced the forged trust agreement.
The judge declined the requested transfer of custody and ordered both adults to avoid direct contact while investigators worked. Bianca left without looking back.
Outside, Ortiz called Grace. “The signed trust transfer isn't the only document filed with that dead notary's seal.”
“There are more?”
May you like
“Forty-three. All connected to Harbor House.”
