Chapter 9 - THE MAN WHO WANTED HIS BROTHER BACK
Anthony did not want money.
That was what surprised me.
He wanted Vincent.
Why?
Not to kill him immediately.
To make him admit something.
We traced the call to an abandoned lakeside medical facility once funded by Elena’s foundation.
Police surrounded it quietly.
Vincent insisted on going in.
I said:
“No.”
His eyebrow lifted.
“You’re not in charge of me.”
“Correct.”
I looked at him.
“But if you go in alone, Anthony gets exactly what he wants.”
Luca agreed.
Vincent looked betrayed.
His own son.
Good.
We created a monitored entry.
Vincent went inside unarmed.
Police teams nearby.
Luca stayed outside with me.
I hated waiting.
Inside, Anthony sat beside my mother and Mara.
Anthony looked like Vincent aged differently.
Same eyes.
Same bone structure.
But thinner.
Sharper.
Mara sat in a wheelchair.
Burn scars along one side of her face.
Mom had oxygen tubing.
Neither restrained.
That mattered.
Anthony wanted an audience.
Vincent entered.
“You look terrible.”
Anthony smiled.
“You look rich.”
No brotherly reunion.
Then Anthony looked toward the hidden cameras.
“I know police are watching.”
Vincent did not react.
“Then speak.”
Anthony laughed.
“Still ordering.”
“Still hiding.”
That landed.
Then Anthony said:
“Elena died because of you.”
Vincent went still.
Outside, Luca’s hand tightened.
Anthony continued.
“She found out about the money.”
Vincent:
“I know.”
“She wanted federal protection.”
“I know.”
“She asked you to leave the organization.”
Vincent’s face changed.
“I never heard that.”
Anthony smiled.
“Because I intercepted the letter.”
Mara spoke.
“Anthony.”
“Quiet.”
She ignored him.
“Elena wrote Vincent three letters.”
Vincent stared.
Anthony had kept them.
Why?
Because he wanted Vincent trapped inside the organization.
Vincent as violent public face.
Anthony hidden underneath.
Mara continued:
“He needed you angry after Elena died.”
Anthony snapped:
“I said enough.”
Mara laughed weakly.
“You’ve been saying that for twenty years.”
My mother spoke next.
“Helen found the letters.”
Vincent looked at her.
She nodded.
“That’s why Anthony took us.”
Not to silence only.
To recover them.
Vincent asked:
“Where are they?”
Mom looked at Mara.
Mara smiled.
“Not here.”
Anthony’s expression changed.
For the first time, fear.
Vincent noticed.
“Where?”
Mara looked toward the camera.
“Emily has them.”
I froze outside.
“What?”
Luca looked at me.
I had nothing.
Then Mom said:
“The hospital bill envelope.”
My stomach dropped.
The envelope Luca brought into the diner.
I had stuffed it into my apron pocket.
Still at work.
Inside the diner.
The letters were hidden in the lining.
Anthony had staged everything to locate them.
Vincent’s coffee outburst.
Luca’s delivery.
My mother’s disappearance.
All roads led back to the envelope.
Then Anthony looked directly toward the hidden camera.
“Emily.”
He knew I was listening.
“Go get the letters.”
His smile widened.
“Before Paul does.”
May you like
Paul Greco was still missing.
And he knew exactly where I worked.
Related Stories
