Chapter 13 - THE NAME BEHIND THE MONEY
Rafael piloted the boat toward the southern harbor while Luca treated Teresa's injured arm.
Giovanni opened every file recovered from the monastery.
The name Vale appeared again and again.
Sebastian Vale had been a private banker, political fixer, and silent partner to Giovanni's father.
Official records said he died twelve years earlier.
The files proved he had continued moving money long after his supposed death.
Clarissa found a photograph of Vale standing beside Elena at a charity gala six months earlier.
Giovanni remembered the man as a donor introduced under another name.
Vale had been near his family the entire time.
Emilio discovered a coded schedule matching Elena's final weeks.
Every day she became sick corresponded to a meeting, meal, or medical appointment arranged by someone inside Giovanni's office.
Luca checked the calendar.
Only one employee had access to all three categories.
Giovanni's personal assistant, Sofia Bellini.
Sofia had worked for Elena before working for Giovanni.
She had organized the funeral too.
Giovanni called the estate.
No answer.
He called the funeral home.
Still nothing.
Then Clarissa's phone received a photograph.
Elena's grave had been opened.
The coffin was gone.
Beneath the image was a message from Sofia.
"Mr. Vale says the dead still have one useful secret."
Giovanni looked at Rafael.
"Turn the boat around. We're going home."
But Rafael did not move.
Instead, he quietly locked the controls.
Giovanni recognized Sofia's access pattern because she had been the person who reminded him to sign Elena's medical releases when he was traveling.
He had thanked her for making his life easier.
Now every convenience looked like a door someone else had opened.
Clarissa quietly said, 'Mom kept telling us easy things were the most dangerous ones.'
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"I'm sorry, Giovanni."
Then he drew a gun.
