Chapter 8 - Matteo
Matteo Moretti arrived angry.
That was his natural state.
He was thirty-five, handsome in a hard way, and had grown up more like Rico’s brother than cousin.
“You think I stole from Elena?”
Rico slid the bank record across the table.
“That ID was replaced two years ago.”
“Why?”
“Lost wallet.”
Matteo reported it missing.
The old credential should have been destroyed.
Instead someone used it after Elena’s death.
The truth kept refusing to simplify.
“You’re the waitress.”
“People keep telling me.”
“You’ve been here a week and now you’re investigating the family?”
“No.”
“Then what are you doing?”
“Listening to Leo.”
Matteo’s expression changed.
“Elena trusted you?” Clara asked.
“Yes.”
“Did she tell you about Harbor Meridian?”
“No.”
“Would she?”
“Probably not.”
Then Leo entered with Dante’s permission.
He walked over and climbed onto a chair.
Clara felt Rico relax slightly.
“Hey, lion.”
Then Leo reached for Matteo’s jacket button.
“Mommy car.”
“What?”
Leo touched the button again.
“Mommy car.”
“What about Mommy’s car?”
“Same.”
A small black circle stamped with a crest.
The Moretti vehicle fleet used the same crest on driver jackets.
Clara asked:
“Did Leo see someone in a driver coat?”
“Possible.”
The attack night, Elena had changed vehicles at the charity event because her usual driver reported sick.
Substitute driver:
“Paul disappeared after the shooting.”
“Police said he fled because he panicked.”
“He was never found.”
Paul Gallo’s emergency contact was his uncle.
“Bring him in.”
“Paul?”
“Vittorio.”
The boy had gone quiet again.
He whispered:
“Mommy said run.”
Rico turned.
“Who did she say that to?”
May you like
Leo looked at his father.
Then pointed at himself.
