Chapter 14 - WHAT MARCUS KNEW
Marcus asked for a deal before sunrise.
He had spent years acting like the calmest man in every room.
Now his hands would not stop shaking.
"Salvatore ordered it," he said.
Detective Brooks leaned forward.
"Ordered what?"
"To delay Elena. Scare her. Keep her from meeting the prosecutor."
"How?"
Marcus looked sick.
"Her car was moved. Someone tampered with it. I didn't ask how."
Vittorio watched through glass.
He wanted to break the wall.
Instead, he stood still.
Brooks asked, "Did you know she could die?"
Marcus whispered, "Yes."
There it was.
Not an accident.
Not bad luck.
A choice made by men who thought Elena's life was less important than control.
Marcus admitted intercepting her letter to Vittorio.
He admitted screening Clara's calls.
He admitted helping Salvatore build the competency case.
And he admitted choosing Bianca because her family debt made her easy to recruit.
"Why Lucy?" Brooks asked.
Marcus looked at the table.
"Because when Elena died, the trust became the only part of the company Salvatore couldn't reach."
He needed Vittorio declared unfit before Lucy turned nine.
Bianca would become guardian.
Marcus would control finances.
Salvatore would control the family holding companies.
Three signatures.
One child trapped in the middle.
Maya secured an emergency court order freezing every disputed account and barring Bianca, Marcus, and Salvatore from contact with Lucy.
But Salvatore was still missing.
Then he called Vittorio directly.
"You have always been emotional," Salvatore said.
Vittorio almost smiled.
"Is that what you're hoping for?"
"Come to the old river warehouse alone. Bring Elena's ledger."
"Why?"
"Because I have something you want."
A child's voice came faintly through the phone.
Not Lucy.
Caleb.
May you like
Emma's son.
Salvatore said, "One hour."
