Chapter 9 - THE SISTER WHO STOLE FROM A DYING CHILD
Dante didn't speak for almost a full minute.
His sister had apparently helped steal money intended for my ten-year-old brother.
I watched him stare at the financial records.
Then he picked up his phone.
"Call Vanessa."
Marcus nodded.
"Boss—"
"Now."
The call connected after four rings.
"Dante?"
Vanessa sounded irritated.
"What is it?"
"Where are you?"
"Shopping."
"Come to my office."
"Why?"
"Because I have questions about Gregory Hale."
Silence.
Then Vanessa laughed nervously.
"I don't know who that is."
Dante's expression hardened.
"Don't lie to me."
The call ended.
Marcus looked up.
"She hung up."
Dante placed the phone down carefully.
"Then we involve the investigators."
I stared at him.
"She's your sister."
"Yes."
"And you're going to report her?"
He looked directly at me.
"Toby is ten years old, Elena."
His voice was steady.
"My sister doesn't get to steal from a sick child because she shares my blood."
For the first time, I understood why people feared Dante Vancel.
It wasn't only his money.
Or his reputation.
It was the certainty in his voice when he made a decision.
Within hours, Detective Mitchell obtained information linking Vanessa to several suspicious accounts.
Investigators questioned her.
At first, she denied everything.
Then they showed her the transfers.
She began crying.
According to her statement, Gregory had approached her with evidence of their father's old financial crimes.
He threatened to expose her involvement in several unauthorized transactions unless she helped move the stolen funds.
Vanessa claimed she never knew Toby's name was attached to the application.
I wanted to believe her.
But ignorance wouldn't undo the harm.
Dante met me outside the interview room.
"Elena."
I looked up.
"I'm sorry."
I shook my head.
"You didn't do this."
"My family did."
"Then help us make it right."
He nodded.
"I will."
That evening, Vanessa agreed to cooperate with investigators.
She identified the person who had directed Gregory's activities.
A wealthy businessman named Richard Vale.
Vale had been a partner in Dante's father's medical investments.
He was also connected to the original financial conspiracy my parents had investigated.
Detective Mitchell searched the records.
And what she discovered changed everything.
Richard Vale had controlled a private account receiving monthly payments for twelve years.
The account was labeled:
CATHERINE VANCE - CONTINUED CARE.
I stared at the screen.
"My mother died seven years ago."
Detective Mitchell looked at me carefully.
"Elena, we need to verify something."
My heart began pounding.
"What?"
She hesitated.
"The account records suggest someone has been receiving medical care under your mother's name."
I couldn't breathe.
May you like
Then she spoke the words I had never imagined hearing.
"Your mother may still be alive."
