Chapter 11 - ROSA'S SECRET
The fire raced along the gasoline line in a bright orange ribbon.
Julian grabbed Cesare and pulled him backward.
A detective tackled Ethan before he reached the side exit. The lighter skittered into the orchestra pit.
"Get the boxes!" Marta shouted.
Fire crews killed the flames while officers secured the evidence.
Ethan screamed from the floor as officers cuffed him.
"You think Vanessa needs me? You're all already too late!"
Cesare walked over.
"Then tell me what happens Saturday."
Ethan spat blood onto the stage.
"Ask Rosa."
Cesare froze.
"What did you say?"
Ethan smiled.
"Everybody in your family has secrets. Even the saintly housekeeper."
By dawn, Ethan was in custody.
Cesare returned home and found Rosa in the kitchen making hot chocolate for Elsie.
He waited until Elsie went upstairs.
Then he put Ethan's words on the table between them.
Rosa went pale.
"He knows?"
"Knows what?"
She sat slowly.
"Seven months ago, I saw Vanessa in Julian's office. She was taking pictures of documents. I told Julian."
Cesare's eyes narrowed.
"And?"
"He said I was jealous. He told me never to accuse his future wife again."
Julian, standing in the doorway, looked down.
Rosa continued. "A week later, Ethan offered me fifty thousand dollars to quit and move to Arizona. I refused. Then he showed me photographs of my son Mateo outside his job. He said accidents happen."
Cesare's jaw tightened.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because Mateo has two children. I was afraid."
She opened a kitchen drawer and removed a small flash drive.
"So I started keeping copies."
Marta, who had just entered, stopped cold.
"Copies of what?"
"Everything I could photograph when they left papers out."
Cesare took the drive.
Rosa looked directly at Julian.
"Including the document Vanessa made you sign before your engagement dinner."
Julian frowned.
"The proxy?"
May you like
Rosa shook her head.
"No. The other one."
