Chapter 4 - The Woman Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
By midnight, Alfred’s penthouse resembled a fortress.
The wounded attacker had been identified as a recently hired guard. He died before anyone could question him.
Alfred refused a hospital.
A private doctor removed the bullet.
Mina stayed.
She told herself it was because leaving was impossible.
She knew that wasn't entirely true.
When Alfred winced as the doctor stitched his shoulder, Mina realized how close she had come to losing him.
And the thought terrified her.
“You should rest,” she whispered afterward.
“So should you.”
“I wasn't shot.”
Alfred almost smiled.
Salvatore entered.
“The pier is covered.”
Alfred stood.
“You're not going,” Mina said.
Both men looked at her.
“You were shot an hour ago.”
“I've had worse.”
“That isn't impressive.”
Salvatore laughed.
Alfred didn't.
“The caller asked for the ledger,” Mina continued. “We don't have it.”
Salvatore’s amusement disappeared.
“I might know where it is.”
Alfred stared at him.
“You said you didn't.”
“I lied.”
Mina watched the two men.
Family affection inside the Costello world apparently had unusual definitions.
Salvatore sat down.
“Your father kept two sets of books. One recorded business. The other recorded debts.”
“What kind of debts?”
“Political favors. Police. Judges. Families we paid. Families we betrayed.”
Alfred’s expression darkened.
“And you knew?”
“I helped write it.”
“Where is it?”
Salvatore looked at Mina.
“Her mother took it.”
Mina forgot how to breathe.
“What?”
“Elena Vale worked for your father.”
Mina shook her head.
“My mother was a bookkeeper at a shipping company.”
Salvatore gave her a sad look.
“The shipping company belonged to us.”
The world shifted beneath Mina.
Her mother.
Alfred’s father.
The missing ledger.
Her childhood.
All connected.
“Elena discovered that someone inside the organization was selling names to our enemies,” Salvatore continued. “She took the ledger because it proved who.”
“Who?” Alfred asked.
“I never knew.”
“What happened to her?”
“She disappeared.”
Mina stepped forward.
“You knew she wasn't dead.”
“No. Until tonight, I thought she was.”
Mina wanted to hate him.
Instead she felt fourteen years old again.
Waiting beside a telephone that never rang.
At 12:17 a.m., Alfred received a message.
A photograph.
Elena.
Alive.
Seated inside an abandoned warehouse.
Vincent stood beside her.
Underneath were six words.
BRING MINA IF YOU WANT ANSWERS.
“No,” Alfred said immediately.
Mina looked at him.
“I'm going.”
“No.”
“She’s my mother.”
“And this is a trap.”
“I know.”
“Then act like it.”
Mina’s anger erupted.
“For fourteen years I believed she was dead! You don't get to decide I can't see her.”
Alfred stepped closer.
“And you don't get to walk into a trap carrying my child.”
There it was.
The argument they had been avoiding.
Mina’s voice became cold.
“Our child doesn't make me your property.”
Alfred’s face changed.
“I know.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
He took a breath.
“That’s why I'm asking you not to go instead of locking the door.”
Mina stared at him.
A day earlier, she wouldn't have believed Alfred Costello capable of understanding the distinction.
Now she wasn't sure.
Salvatore interrupted.
“We can use the demand.”
Alfred looked at him.
“How?”
“They expect Mina. Give them Mina.”
“No.”
“Not alone.”
Mina understood.
“You track me.”
Alfred shook his head.
“Absolutely not.”
She almost smiled.
“Interesting. Lev already tried it.”
“This isn't funny.”
“No.”
Mina stepped closer.
“But it's my mother.”
Twenty minutes later, they had a plan.
It was dangerous.
Alfred hated every part of it.
That was how Mina knew it might work.
At 1:04 a.m., Mina entered the abandoned warehouse alone.
A transmitter was hidden beneath her sweater.
Alfred’s men surrounded the building.
She walked between rusted containers.
“Mina.”
She stopped.
Her mother stepped from the shadows.
Fourteen years disappeared.
“Elena?”
The older woman’s face crumpled.
“My baby.”
Mina couldn't move.
Elena approached.
Then Mina slapped her.
The sound echoed through the warehouse.
Her mother didn't defend herself.
“I deserved that.”
“Fourteen years.”
“I know.”
“You let me think you were dead.”
“I was trying to keep you alive.”
“Everyone says that!”
Elena’s eyes filled with tears.
“I’m sorry.”
Mina wanted answers.
Instead she embraced her.
For several seconds, they simply cried.
Then Elena whispered against her ear.
“They're listening.”
Mina stiffened.
Her mother continued smiling as though nothing were wrong.
“Vincent isn't in charge.”
“Who is?”
Elena stepped back.
“Someone Alfred trusts.”
Mina almost laughed bitterly.
“That doesn't narrow it down.”
Her mother squeezed her hands.
“The ledger still exists.”
“Where?”
“I hid it.”
“Tell me.”
Elena looked directly into her eyes.
“You already have it.”
Mina frowned.
“What?”
“Your father gave you a music box when you were seven.”
Mina’s heart stopped.
She still had it.
A small wooden music box stored in her apartment.
Her father had died when she was eight.
“He wasn't my father, was he?” Mina whispered.
Elena’s face changed.
Before she could answer, lights flooded the warehouse.
Vincent appeared above them on a metal walkway.
“Touching.”
Mina turned.
Men emerged from behind containers.
Too many.
Vincent smiled.
“You Costellos always underestimate accountants.”
Alfred’s voice sounded through Mina’s hidden earpiece.
“Get down.”
Mina dropped.
Windows shattered.
Gunfire erupted.
Alfred’s men entered from both sides.
Elena dragged Mina behind a steel container.
Vincent ran.
Alfred appeared through the smoke, injured arm strapped beneath his jacket, weapon in the other hand.
“Mina!”
“Here!”
He reached them.
For one brief second, relief crossed his face.
Then Elena stared at him.
Not with gratitude.
With horror.
“You.”
Alfred stopped.
“You know me?”
Elena backed away.
“You look exactly like him.”
“Like who?”
“Your father.”
Alfred’s expression hardened.
Elena turned toward Mina.
“We have to go.”
“Why?”
“Because if Alfred finds that ledger, he'll learn what his father did.”
“What?”
Elena looked between them.
“He’ll learn why your father died.”
Mina stared at her.
Elena’s voice broke.
“And why Alfred Costello was never supposed to inherit anything.”
A shot rang out.
Elena collapsed.
“Mom!”
Mina screamed.
Alfred caught Elena before she hit the floor.
Blood spread across her side.
But before she lost consciousness, Elena grabbed Mina’s wrist.
“The music box.”
Her fingers weakened.
“Don't trust Salvatore.”
May you like
Then her eyes closed.
---
