Chapter 7 - PRESTON’S FATHER
Preston was waiting in the estate library when Audrey returned.
He looked as though he had aged ten years in two hours.
She placed the printed letter in front of him.
His eyes stopped on one line.
REMIND HIM WHAT HAPPENED TO HIS FATHER.
His hands began to shake.
“So you did know,” Audrey said.
“I knew my father’s death wasn’t clean.”
“How long?”
“Since I was nineteen.”
“And you still married me?”
Preston looked up.
“I married you because I loved you.”
Audrey slapped the table with both palms.
“Stop saying that like it fixes anything.”
He flinched.
“My mother told me your family caused his death.”
Rocco entered behind Audrey.
“That’s a lie.”
Preston faced him.
“Then tell me why his body was found near one of your docks.”
Rocco did not answer immediately.
Gary did.
“Because he was meeting Sofia.”
Preston stared.
Gary explained that Thomas Hale had discovered Carlo and Brenda were diverting money.
He agreed to help Sofia document it.
The night he died, he was supposed to hand over a ledger.
The ledger vanished.
Brenda spent years telling Preston the Bellinis killed his father.
“So she raised you to hate us,” Audrey said.
Preston’s eyes filled.
“I didn’t hate you.”
“You let her get close enough to hurt me.”
“I thought she wanted the trust challenged in court.”
“Then why kill the camera?”
He looked ashamed.
“Because she told me she was going to scare you.”
Audrey stepped back.
“You knew she planned to terrorize a pregnant woman.”
“Yes.”
The word ended their marriage before either of them said it.
Then Gary’s phone rang.
He listened for five seconds.
“Brenda’s gone.”
Rocco’s eyes narrowed.
“She was under guard.”
May you like
Gary looked at Preston.
“One of the guards says Preston ordered the side gate opened.”
