Chapter 18 - THE LAST TRAP AT PIER NINE
Mara read Enzo's note and tore it in half. "He still thinks everyone will obey him because he's the loudest man in the room."
"We won't go," Alessandro said.
"No. But I want Rios to know exactly what he threatened."
Police used the message to expand their investigation. They found Enzo trying to leave by boat from a private marina, carrying cash and a second passport. Vittorio was detained at his office after investigators secured court authorization based on the financial evidence and witness accounts.
The arrests were not a clean victory. Reporters called Alessandro the next target.
"You could fight every claim," Elena told him. "Delay for years."
He looked at the figures showing unpaid wages beside false executive bonuses. "Set aside what the independent auditors say is owed. We start making people whole."
Mara attended a meeting with staff members who had been threatened into silence. Some hugged her. Some asked why Alessandro had ignored them for so long. She didn't answer for him.
Alessandro stood up. "Because I mistook control for leadership. I have no excuse. I am cooperating with investigators, and I won't ask anyone here to forgive me."
The room stayed quiet.
Later, Rios informed Mara that genetic testing had established the recovered remains were consistent with her mother's identity, supported by dental records. The medical examiner found evidence of an old gunshot injury. Isabella could finally be named in an official report rather than whispered about behind doors.
Mara asked for copies of the findings and a proper burial.
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Then Rios handed her a sealed packet the prosecutor had recovered from Enzo's safe.
On the front, in Isabella's unmistakable handwriting, were the words: FOR MY BROTHER, IF HE EVER LEARNS TO LISTEN.
