Chapter 10 - Lucia’s Email
Lucia did not deny writing it.
She sat at the long kitchen table with both hands around a cold cup of coffee.
Marcello placed the email in front of her.
“When?”
“After Luca’s funeral.”
“Before or after Vanessa lost the baby?”
Lucia’s silence answered.
“You knew.”
Lucia whispered:
“I knew she was bleeding.”
Marcello’s face went blank.
“What?”
“She called me at three in the morning.”
“She was alone. She was terrified. I took her to a private clinic.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because it was hers to tell.”
“That part I understand.”
Marcello pointed to the email.
“This part I don’t.”
“Bell River had guaranteed loans with Luca’s division.”
“What loans?”
“Your brother signed support agreements.”
If Bell River collapsed suddenly, Luca’s division would face major losses.
Lucia believed the company needed time.
So when Vanessa continued appearing pregnant, Lucia did not ask questions she already knew the answer to.
“You helped her lie,” Marcello said.
“I helped myself not know.”
And somehow just as damaging.
Elena asked:
“Did you know about the fake medical letters?”
“No.”
“The prosthetics?”
“No.”
“The loans against the trust?”
“No.”
Marcello wanted to believe her.
He did not let wanting decide.
“Daniel will verify everything.”
“Good.”
Then Lily wandered into the kitchen carrying a silver bracelet.
“Grandma.”
“What is it, sweetheart?”
Lily held up the bracelet.
“Baby lady dropped this too.”
Lily pointed toward the back stairs.
“Down there.”
“Where down there?”
“Little door.”
The estate had no little door near the back stairs.
At least, none Marcello remembered.
Lily took his hand.
“I show you.”
Behind a linen cabinet, she pointed to a narrow service panel.
May you like
Inside was an old dumbwaiter shaft.
And sitting on the platform was a locked leather case with Vanessa’s initials.
