Chapter 11 - THE TRAITOR WHO SAT BESIDE HIM
Roman Moretti had trusted Anthony Bellini for fifteen years.
Anthony was his closest adviser.
A man who attended family dinners.
Handled security arrangements.
And knew nearly every business secret Roman possessed.
He had been present at Beatrice's birthday celebrations.
Helped arrange Elena's medical appointments.
And personally supervised the security team that brought Owen to Connecticut.
Now Michael Voss was accusing him of helping operate the original adoption network.
Roman sat across from the investigator.
His expression was dangerously calm.
"Anthony?"
Michael nodded.
"He handled the transfers."
I stared at him.
"How do you know?"
Michael reached into a folder.
He removed copies of shipping manifests.
Signatures.
Photographs.
And an internal ledger.
Anthony's name appeared repeatedly.
Roman closed his eyes.
For years, Anthony had been the man who warned him not to trust strangers.
Now he was discovering that the greatest danger had been standing beside him.
"What about Owen?" I whispered.
Michael looked toward me.
His eyes filled with tears.
"He was supposed to be moved overseas."
My stomach dropped.
"Why?"
"Because he witnessed an argument involving one of the people running the operation."
I swallowed.
"He was thirteen."
Michael nodded.
"He understood more than they realized."
I looked toward Owen.
He was sitting beside Elena, laughing at something she signed.
For seven years, I'd believed he was dead.
Now I understood that he'd survived because people had risked everything to protect him.
Roman stood.
"I'll provide these records to the investigators."
Michael looked at him.
"Even if they implicate your organization?"
Roman nodded.
"Yes."
For a moment, Michael seemed surprised.
Then he said quietly:
"Your mother would be proud of that choice."
Roman looked away.
His eyes were wet.
The investigation moved quickly.
Anthony Bellini was questioned.
Several associates were detained.
Financial records were secured.
The criminal operation that had hidden behind charitable foundations began to unravel.
But that evening, Anthony disappeared.
His office was empty.
His phone disconnected.
And one of Roman's security vehicles was missing.
Then I received a message.
From Anthony.
Want to know what really happened to your mother?
My blood ran cold.
A second message followed.
Come to Warehouse 12.
I showed Roman immediately.
He looked furious.
Then took a breath.
"We're calling Detective Bennett."
I nodded.
The police traced the message.
Warehouse 12 was an abandoned building near the Hudson River.
Investigators secured the area.
Inside, they found records, financial documents, and an old medical file.
The file belonged to Margaret Hayes.
My adoptive mother.
The woman I had buried three years earlier.
But the final page contained a photograph taken only two months ago.
Margaret stood beside Anthony Bellini.
Alive.
May you like
And beneath the photograph was a handwritten note.
"Keep Harper away from Roman until the final transfer is complete."
