Chapter 6 - The Recording Nobody Was Supposed to Hear
The vault was designed to survive a fire, not an ambush.
Adrian pounded on the door while Dante tried to reach the emergency release. Santos called for backup, but there was no signal underground.
I searched the metal case for anything we could use.
My fingers found a thin envelope taped beneath the recorder.
Inside was a handwritten letter from Sofia.
If Adrian reads this, tell him I tried to warn him. Silas has been paying Karen through the Saint Fund. They are moving the children’s money into private accounts. I found proof, but the proof is not the most dangerous thing I discovered.
The final paragraph had been underlined.
Emma is not safe in this house.
A metallic clang interrupted me.
The vault door opened several inches.
Dante pushed it wider, revealing a maintenance corridor beyond. We escaped into a stairwell and emerged behind the bank just as two black SUVs sped away.
Adrian called his driver.
“Get us to the mansion.”
“No,” Santos said. “Your estate is compromised. We need a secure location.”
“Then take us somewhere secure.”
She chose an unused police safe house.
Once we were inside, Dante cleaned the blood from his forehead. Adrian read Sofia's letter three times without speaking.
I remained by the window, staring at the street.
“Emma would have died if I hadn't found her,” I said.
Adrian lowered the paper.
“I know.”
“You called me a murderer. You hit me. You threw me into a basement and had me arrested.”
“I know.”
“You could say you're sorry.”
His mouth tightened.
For one terrible second, I thought he would refuse.
Then he looked directly at me.
“I'm sorry, Isabella.”
It wasn't enough to repair what he had done, but it was the first honest thing he had offered me.
My phone rang.
The screen displayed an unfamiliar number.
I answered without speaking.
A man's voice came through.
“Isabella.”
I gripped the phone.
“Dad?”
Adrian immediately stood.
“Listen carefully,” my father said. “You have to stop investigating the Saint Fund.”
“Where is Lucia?”
“Safe, for now.”
“Give her back!”
“I am trying to keep you alive.”
“You disappeared for twelve years. You don't get to tell me what keeps me alive.”
There was a long silence.
Then my father spoke again.
“I did not put Emma in that dumpster.”
“Then who did?”
“Karen.”
“Why?”
“Because Emma's death would transfer control of the Saint Fund to Silas.”
I looked at Adrian.
He was listening, his expression growing darker.
“Where are you?” I asked.
“I can't tell you.”
“Then tell me why Karen is working with you.”
“She isn't working with me. She's using me.”
A crash sounded at the other end of the call.
My father's breath caught.
“Isabella, whatever happens, do not let Adrian take Emma to the old Valente chapel.”
The line went dead.
Adrian stared at me.
“What old chapel?”
Before I could answer, Santos's phone rang.
She listened for five seconds before her face turned white.
“My brother has been found,” she whispered.
“Where?” I asked.
May you like
She swallowed.
“Inside the old Valente chapel.”
