Chapter 7 - The Lie That Became Real
The drive back to Pennsylvania began in silence.
Dominic drove faster than Sophia had ever seen him drive.
Daniel sat in the rear seat beside Marco.
Lily remained in Manhattan under the care of Mrs. Alvarez and two guards Sophia finally agreed to accept.
The decision had nearly broken her.
But Margaret was in Pennsylvania.
Lily was currently safe.
And for once Sophia had no choice except to trust people she had spent years avoiding.
“Call Emma again,” Dominic said.
Sophia did.
No answer.
She tried Ben.
Nothing.
Uncle Robert.
Nothing.
Her fear grew.
“Why aren't they answering?”
“Maybe they're asleep.”
“My sister never puts her phone on silent.”
Dominic called the security man Marco had placed nearby.
No answer.
Marco muttered a curse.
Sophia turned.
“What?”
“Could be poor reception.”
“Stop lying to me.”
Dominic looked in the mirror.
Marco said, “Our man checked in twelve minutes ago. He hasn't since.”
Sophia's breathing changed.
Dominic reached across.
“Look at me.”
She didn't.
“Sophia.”
Finally she turned.
“Your mother is going to be okay.”
“You don't know that.”
“No.”
“Then don't say it.”
Dominic withdrew his hand.
“You're right.”
That surprised her.
He added, “But we are getting there.”
Four hours became three.
Then two.
Daniel finally spoke.
“Matteo won't kill Margaret.”
Sophia turned violently.
“Do not say my mother's name.”
“Sophie—”
“Don't call me that.”
Daniel looked down.
“I know him.”
Dominic glanced in the mirror.
“How well?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Better than I told you.”
Marco leaned forward.
“Now would be an excellent time to stop rationing information.”
Daniel looked out the window.
“Matteo hated Victor.”
“Everyone hates Victor.”
“No. Matteo wanted him gone.”
Daniel explained.
Four years earlier, Matteo had learned that Victor planned to pass control of several legitimate businesses to an older cousin rather than him.
Matteo wanted leverage.
He needed evidence.
Daniel happened to be working nights at the warehouse where Victor's accountant kept records.
“You were recruited,” Dominic said.
Daniel nodded.
“Matteo told me which office. Which night.”
“And after you took the ledger?”
“He changed his mind.”
“Why?”
“Because the book tied Matteo to things too.”
Dominic's eyes narrowed.
“What things?”
“Payments. Stolen shipments. Deals Victor didn't authorize.”
Marco laughed without humor.
“So the genius arranged a robbery of evidence proving he was also stealing.”
Daniel looked ashamed.
“I told you. I panicked.”
“You keep saying that like it explains four years.”
Sophia's voice sliced through the car.
Daniel became quiet.
They reached Bellwood shortly before dawn.
Dominic killed the headlights half a mile from the farm.
Marco checked his phone.
“Our local guy just responded.”
Sophia turned.
“And?”
“He's okay. Somebody knocked him unconscious.”
Her eyes widened.
“But he saw two men enter the house.”
Dominic parked.
“You stay here.”
Sophia opened her door.
“No.”
“Sophia.”
“My mother.”
“Fine. Stay behind me.”
Daniel moved to follow.
Dominic looked at him.
“You stay.”
Daniel laughed bitterly.
“Still giving orders.”
“Yes.”
“Feels good?”
“No.”
For some reason, that answer silenced him.
They crossed the field.
The farmhouse was dark.
The front door stood partly open.
Sophia's heart pounded.
“Mom?”
Dominic caught her before she rushed inside.
“Wait.”
He entered first.
No gun visible.
Sophia had made him promise.
Marco followed.
Kitchen.
Empty.
Living room.
Empty.
A broken lamp lay near the staircase.
Sophia saw it.
Her knees weakened.
“Mom.”
She ran upstairs.
“Mom!”
The bedroom door was open.
Margaret sat in bed.
Very much alive.
And very annoyed.
A man lay on the floor beside the dresser groaning.
Uncle Robert sat on his back.
Another man had been tied to a chair with what appeared to be Christmas ribbon.
Emma stood nearby holding a fireplace poker.
Sophia stopped.
“What happened?”
Margaret looked at her.
“Oh, good. You're here.”
Sophia stared.
Dominic stared.
Marco looked impressed.
Uncle Robert waved.
“Your friends?”
Dominic walked toward the tied man.
Sophia grabbed his sleeve.
“No violence.”
“I remember.”
The man in the chair looked up.
Dominic recognized him.
Carlo Vescari.
Snake tattoo.
Carlo's face changed.
“Moretti.”
Dominic crouched.
“Good morning.”
Carlo swallowed.
Marco closed the bedroom door.
Margaret pointed at him.
“That one opened my closet without asking.”
Dominic looked at Carlo.
“That was rude.”
“I didn't know—”
Dominic's eyes hardened.
Carlo stopped.
Sophia rushed to Margaret.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Mom.”
“They scared me.”
Margaret admitted it reluctantly.
Then she touched Sophia's cheek.
“But I'm okay.”
Sophia hugged her.
For a long time.
Dominic watched.
He remembered Isabella.
Again.
Always Isabella.
Eventually Sophia stood.
“What were they looking for?”
Dominic looked at the closet.
“The bag.”
Margaret frowned.
“What bag?”
“Blue canvas.”
Margaret's eyes narrowed.
“I have six blue bags.”
Daniel appeared in the doorway.
Everyone turned.
Dominic's expression darkened.
“I told you to stay outside.”
Daniel ignored him.
Margaret stared.
Her mouth opened.
“Daniel?”
Sophia went rigid.
Daniel looked at Margaret.
“Hi, Mom.”
Margaret reached for the water glass on her nightstand.
Sophia thought she was going to drink.
Instead Margaret threw it.
Daniel ducked.
The glass shattered against the wall.
“You miserable son of a—”
“Mom!”
“I am dying. I have limited opportunities.”
Daniel raised both hands.
“I deserve that.”
“You deserve the pitcher.”
Margaret reached for it.
Sophia took it away.
“Later.”
Dominic turned toward Carlo.
“Who sent you?”
Carlo remained silent.
Dominic looked at Sophia.
She crossed her arms.
“You promised.”
He sighed.
Then he looked back at Carlo.
“I cannot threaten you.”
Carlo blinked.
“What?”
“Unfortunately.”
Marco looked toward the ceiling.
Dominic continued.
“But I can tell you Victor does not know Matteo arranged the ledger theft.”
Carlo's face changed.
There.
Tiny.
Enough.
Dominic saw it.
“So you work for Matteo.”
“No.”
“Victor will be interested to hear that.”
Carlo's confidence vanished.
“Wait.”
Dominic stood.
“Marco, call Victor.”
“No!”
Everyone looked at Carlo.
Dominic slowly turned back.
“Then talk.”
Carlo swallowed.
“Matteo wants the ledger.”
“We established that.”
“He needs it before noon.”
“Why?”
Carlo hesitated.
“Because Victor is meeting someone.”
“Who?”
“A federal prosecutor.”
Marco and Dominic exchanged a glance.
That made no sense.
Victor Romano did not volunteer to meet prosecutors.
Carlo continued quickly.
“Victor wants immunity.”
Dominic's expression darkened.
“For what?”
“I don't know everything.”
“You know enough.”
Carlo stared at him.
Then whispered:
“Victor is giving them Matteo.”
The room went silent.
Dominic understood.
Victor had discovered his nephew's betrayal.
Matteo needed the ledger because it contained evidence that could strengthen Victor's case.
Sophia shook her head.
“Then give the ledger to the police.”
Dominic looked at her.
“That simple?”
“Why isn't it?”
“Because we don't know which names in it belong to police.”
Margaret cleared her throat.
Everyone turned.
“I may know where your bag is.”
Sophia rushed to her closet.
Margaret directed her toward the attic.
Twenty minutes later, they found the faded blue canvas hospital bag inside a plastic storage bin.
Sophia brought it downstairs.
Daniel took a knife.
Dominic stopped him.
“I'll do it.”
He cut the inner lining.
Nothing.
Daniel's face fell.
“No.”
He searched.
Nothing.
“No, no, I put it there.”
Sophia stared at him.
“You're sure?”
“Yes.”
Margaret looked thoughtful.
Then she said:
“I had that bag repaired.”
Everyone froze.
“What?”
“The lining ripped years ago. I took it to Mrs. Landry's alteration shop.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“Did she replace the lining?”
“I suppose.”
“What happened to the old one?”
Margaret shrugged.
“Ask Mrs. Landry.”
Sophia looked at the clock.
Six twenty in the morning.
“Where does she live?”
“Above the shop.”
They were out the door five minutes later.
But when they reached Main Street, Dominic saw smoke before they turned the corner.
Sophia whispered, “No.”
Mrs. Landry's alteration shop was burning.
Firefighters surrounded the building.
And across the street stood a man in a gray coat.
Watching.
Matteo Romano.
Dominic recognized him immediately.
Matteo smiled.
Then he lifted one hand.
Not a wave.
A warning.
Sophia stared at him.
Dominic stepped in front of her.
And Matteo mouthed three words from across the street.
May you like
You're too late.
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