Chapter 4 - ROOM 17
Adrian reached the marina before midnight.
He had brought no security team.
At least, none that could be seen.
He entered the abandoned building carrying the brass key.
Room 17 was at the end of a rusted hallway.
The key turned.
Inside was a small office untouched for more than a decade.
Dust covered everything.
Except one chair.
Someone had recently been sitting there.
Adrian found a tape recorder.
He pressed play.
His mother's voice filled the room.
“If you're hearing this, Adrian, then I failed to protect both of my sons.”
He closed his eyes.
“Luca discovered that Vincent had been using the family company to move stolen money. Your father found out and tried to stop him.”
A pause.
“Vincent arranged the boating accident.”
Adrian's fists clenched.
“Luca survived. Your father helped him disappear. We believed it was the only way to keep him alive.”
Another pause.
“Then Elena became pregnant.”
Adrian stopped breathing.
The baby.
His niece.
His brother's daughter.
His mother continued.
“Vincent discovered the child existed. He wanted her because Elena had hidden the ledger inside a bracelet.”
Adrian looked at the silver bracelet.
Everything finally connected.
The ledger was not merely financial evidence.
It was proof of murder.
Proof that Vincent had ordered the accident.
Proof that he had eliminated anyone who threatened his control.
The recording continued.
“Adrian, there is one more truth.”
His mother's voice trembled.
“Luca did not leave because he hated you.”
Adrian looked down.
“He left because he loved you.”
The tape ended.
Footsteps sounded behind him.
Adrian turned.
Luca stood in the doorway.
Older.
Scarred.
Alive.
For several seconds, neither brother moved.
Then Luca whispered:
“You got my daughter.”
Adrian's eyes filled with anger.
“You let me bury you.”
“I had no choice.”
“You had eleven years.”
“I had enemies watching every person I loved.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“And now?”
Luca looked toward the door.
“Now they know she survived.”
A gunshot cracked outside.
Luca grabbed Adrian.
“Down!”
The window exploded.
They dropped behind the desk.
May you like
Then Luca whispered the sentence Adrian had feared most.
“Vincent isn't working alone.”
