Chapter 12 - The Signature
I felt Grace tense in my arms.
"You signed because she threatened Nicholas."
"I signed because she showed me a live feed of a man standing beside his crib."
"You did what you had to do."
Grace shook her head.
"You don't understand. It wasn't only a statement. It was a sworn declaration witnessed by Enzo and two lawyers. Sofia plans to use it at tomorrow's emergency board meeting."
Matteo swore.
"Tomorrow?"
"At nine."
That gave us less than eight hours.
Grace reached beneath the mattress and pulled out a flash drive.
"I kept this hidden."
On it were copies of bank transfers, audio recordings, photographs of forged medical orders, and a video of Sofia entering the underground prison.
It was enough to destroy her story.
Maybe enough to save us.
Then I noticed Grace staring at Matteo.
"Tell him," she said.
Matteo looked away.
"Tell me what?"
"Your brother knew about the board vote before I was locked up."
I turned slowly.
"How?"
Matteo rubbed both hands over his face.
"Mother approached me first. She offered me your position."
My chest went cold.
"And?"
"I said yes."
Grace closed her eyes.
Matteo kept talking before I could hit him.
"I said yes because I wanted access to her plan. I thought I could stop her from inside."
"You let her believe you would take my place."
"I let everyone believe it."
"Including Grace."
"For too long."
Grace's voice was quiet.
"He saved Nicholas. But don't make him a hero yet."
That was fair.
A vibration came from Matteo's phone.
One new message.
A photograph.
Sister Elena lay unconscious on the convent floor.
The crib beside her was empty.
May you like
Under the image was one sentence.
BRING GRACE TO THE ESTATE BEFORE NINE OR YOU WILL NEVER SEE THE BOY AGAIN.
