Chapter 7
The old chapel smelled like dust and rain.
My grandfather built it for weddings.
My father used it for meetings.
I had not entered since Elena’s funeral.
Tony came with me.
So did Hannah.
She refused to stay behind.
“My husband died for whatever is in that safe,” she said. “I’m not waiting in another room.”
I respected that.
Behind the altar was a stone panel.
Elena’s journal gave the code.
Lily’s birthday.
My hands shook as I entered it.
The panel clicked open.
Inside was a metal box.
Files.
A flash drive.
And a small bracelet made of pink beads.
Lily’s.
I nearly dropped the box.
Hannah steadied it, not me.
Smart woman.
The first file held shipment records.
Fake invoices through my construction firms.
Money moving into offshore accounts.
Matteo’s signature appeared everywhere.
So did Vincent’s.
Then another name.
Carlo Moretti.
My uncle.
My father’s brother.
The man who had held me at my wife’s funeral and promised revenge.
Hannah whispered, “Who is Carlo?”
“Family.”
My voice sounded dead.
“Worse than enemy.”
The flash drive contained audio.
Elena’s voice filled the chapel.
“If you are hearing this, Adrian, I failed to stop them.”
I gripped the pew.
She continued.
“David Carter brought proof that Matteo and Carlo are using your companies to move weapons through legitimate shipments. Vincent helped them. He regrets it, but fear keeps him obedient.”
Hannah started crying silently.
Elena’s voice broke.
“Lily heard Carlo say the bomb would teach you obedience. She asked me why Uncle Carlo wanted Daddy scared.”
I could not breathe.
Hannah whispered my name.
The recording continued.
“I am taking Lily to my sister tomorrow. If I don’t make it, do not trust grief. Trust evidence.”
The audio ended.
I stood in the chapel where I had buried my wife.
And learned she had been murdered by blood.
Tony’s phone buzzed.
He read the message.
“Boss.”
I looked up.
“Carlo’s men just entered the estate.”
Hannah stiffened.
May you like
“Ellie.”
We ran.
