Chapter 4 - The Photograph on the FloorNobody spoke.
Elena picked up the shoe.
Her hands trembled.
“My mother died.”
Daniel looked at her.
“No.”
“You told me she died.”
“I told you she disappeared.”
Elena stared at him.
“You lied to me.”
“I was trying to protect you.”
“From what?”
Daniel's eyes shifted toward Victor.
“From the people who believed you had inherited your mother's secret.”
Victor stepped forward.
“What secret?”
Daniel hesitated.
Then he pulled a folded document from the metal box.
“Your father gave this to her.”
Victor read it.
It was a property transfer.
A warehouse.
Several offshore companies.
A trust.
And a final clause.
If Anthony Russo died under suspicious circumstances, control would pass to a person named Elena Marlow.
Victor looked up.
“Your mother put you in the will.”
Daniel nodded.
“Your father trusted her.”
Victor frowned.
“Then why did Carlo want her?”
Daniel's answer came quietly.
“Because she had the master ledger.”
Elena stared at him.
“What ledger?”
“The one that can destroy the Russo empire.”
A siren sounded outside.
Gabriel looked through the broken window.
“Police.”
Victor frowned.
“How did they find us?”
Daniel's face changed.
“Someone told them.”
Victor turned.
Gabriel had gone silent.
Elena noticed.
“Gabriel?”
He looked at Victor.
“I didn't.”
Victor stared.
“You're the only person who knew where we were going.”
Gabriel shook his head.
“I followed you.”
“From where?”
“The mansion.”
Victor's eyes narrowed.
“Then who knew?”
Daniel answered.
“Matteo.”
Everyone froze.
Victor looked toward the entrance.
“Where is he?”
Daniel pointed toward the roof.
“He followed us.”
Victor drew his gun.
They climbed the stairs.
At the top, wind tore across the rooftop.
Matteo stood near the edge.
His jacket was soaked.
He was holding something in his hand.
Victor pointed his gun.
“Drop it.”
Matteo looked at him.
“You finally figured it out.”
“What?”
Matteo laughed bitterly.
“You're not the one they fear.”
Victor stepped forward.
“Who are they?”
Matteo looked at Elena.
“Your father told you everything?”
“No.”
“Good.”
Victor shouted:
“Drop the weapon.”
Matteo slowly placed it on the roof.
Then he lifted both hands.
“I never wanted anyone to die.”
Victor lowered his voice.
“Why did you disappear from the mansion?”
“Because Carlo was going to kill me.”
Elena stepped forward.
“Why?”
Matteo looked at her.
“Because I found your mother.”
Elena's heart stopped.
“Where is she?”
“I don't know.”
“Liar.”
Matteo shook his head.
“I saw her three days ago.”
“Where?”
“She came to me.”
“What did she want?”
“A file.”
“What file?”
Matteo looked at Victor.
“Your father's.”
Victor stiffened.
“What was in it?”
“The truth about the warehouse.”
Elena stepped closer.
“Tell me where my mother is.”
Matteo looked down.
“She went into the mansion.”
Victor frowned.
“When?”
“Tonight.”
Elena stared.
“So she's inside.”
Matteo nodded.
“But she's not trying to escape.”
“Then what is she doing?”
Matteo's voice dropped.
“She wants Carlo dead.”
A shot rang out.
Matteo jerked.
Blood spread across his shirt.
Elena screamed.
Victor fired toward the distant rooftop.
The sniper disappeared.
Matteo fell into Victor's arms.
Victor pressed his hand against the wound.
“Stay awake.”
Matteo whispered:
“Basement.”
Victor leaned closer.
“What about it?”
“Your mother…”
Elena's breath caught.
Matteo looked directly at her.
“She isn't looking for the ledger.”
May you like
His eyes closed.
“She’s looking for the room where they buried the bodies.”
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