Chapter 5
My father had been dead twelve years.
But when the tape began, his voice filled the courtyard.
Old.
Rough.
Unmistakable.
“Isabella, listen to me. Angelo cannot know yet. Milena’s family has made threats, and Carlo has men inside my house.”
I stopped breathing.
On the recording, Isabella cried.
“I’m pregnant, Don Torrisi.”
“I know.”
“Angelo deserves to know.”
“He does. But if you tell him now, they will use the child against him.”
Milena whispered, “Turn it off.”
I did not.
My father continued.
“I will set money aside. I will make sure you and the baby are protected until I can remove Carlo.”
Isabella sobbed.
“I don’t want his money. I want Angelo.”
“I know, child.”
Then another voice entered.
Carlo.
Younger.
Colder.
“If she stays, Angelo dies.”
The recording crackled.
My father shouted.
Then the tape cut.
Every person in the courtyard stared at Carlo.
He smiled, but sweat shone at his hairline.
“Old tricks. Edited audio.”
Grace shook her head.
“Isabella kept the original hidden in a church box. Luke found the key after she died.”
I looked at Carlo.
“You threatened her.”
He shrugged.
“I protected the family.”
Milena snapped, “Carlo.”
Too late.
The words had left him.
I moved toward him.
Rocco stepped between us.
“Angelo. Not here.”
I knew what he meant.
Not in front of Luke.
Not with police evidence growing around us.
Not like the old days.
Luke had already seen enough violence.
So I stopped.
Barely.
I looked at my guards.
“Carlo does not leave this property.”
Carlo laughed.
“You think your men still all answer to you?”
That was his mistake.
A challenge in front of everyone.
I lifted my hand.
Half the courtyard shifted behind me.
The other half stayed still.
And now I knew exactly where the rot was.
Milena saw it too.
Her face went gray.
The family was splitting in real time.
May you like
Because a hungry boy had named a man in a photograph.
And a dead woman had finally spoken.
