Chapter 10 - THE FORTY MILLION DOLLAR LITTLE GIRL
Forty million dollars.
That was the estimated value of the assets listed in Sophie's trust.
I stared at the document, struggling to understand how a five-year-old girl living in a small apartment with her mother could possess rights to that much money.
Clara looked equally stunned.
"This can't be real."
The investigator examined the papers.
"The documents need independent verification."
I nodded.
"Of course."
Clara stepped closer.
"Why would Gabriel leave this to Sophie?"
I looked toward my mother.
She sat beside the window, her hands trembling.
"Because Gabriel's family helped finance the original Silver Harbor company," she explained.
I frowned.
"What?"
"Before Vincent corrupted the operation, Gabriel's grandfather invested heavily in its development."
Clara stared.
"Gabriel never told me."
"He may not have known the full extent of his family's ownership."
I looked at the trust agreement.
It appeared that Gabriel's family had retained a significant minority interest in several companies.
Over the years, those assets had grown.
But Vincent and his associates had concealed the ownership rights behind complicated corporate structures.
When Gabriel started asking questions, he became a threat.
Clara sat down heavily.
"All this time..."
Her voice broke.
"We struggled to pay rent."
I looked at her.
"I'm sorry."
She shook her head.
"Money doesn't bring Gabriel back."
"No."
She wiped her tears.
"But it could give Sophie a future."
I nodded.
"Yes."
Clara looked toward the investigator.
"If this is real, I want everything handled through independent attorneys. I don't want anyone using my daughter again."
I respected her more with every sentence.
"That's exactly what should happen."
The following week, the trust documents were submitted for legal review.
Investigators also examined the financial records recovered from the gallery.
Those records pointed toward a network of shell companies used by Vincent Cole.
Millions had been diverted.
False invoices created.
And legitimate businesses had been used to conceal illegal transactions.
But then something unexpected happened.
One of the recovered recordings contained Luca's voice.
It was dated three months earlier.
He sounded tired.
Angry.
But unmistakably alive.
"If you're hearing this, then Vincent has probably made his move."
I leaned forward.
Luca continued.
"Don't trust the obvious evidence. He's been preparing to frame someone close to Dante."
A pause.
Then he said, "Marcus is not the traitor."
I looked toward Marcus.
He closed his eyes.
Luca continued.
"Marcus has been helping me recover the records. Vincent threatened his family to force him to participate in the birthday plan."
I felt sick.
Marcus had been trying to warn me.
But Luca's next words were even worse.
"Vincent doesn't want Dante dead."
I frowned.
"Then what does he want?"
Luca answered from the recording.
"He wants Dante blamed for an attempted murder."
The room went silent.
My brother continued.
"The device inside the birthday box was designed to create evidence against Dante and trigger a larger investigation that Vincent could manipulate."
I stared.
Then the recording ended with a warning.
"Whatever happens, protect Clara and Sophie. Vincent knows the girl is connected to the trust."
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A familiar voice spoke.
"Dante."
My heart stopped.
"Luca?"
May you like
Silence.
Then my brother whispered, "I'm coming home."
