Chapter 10 - THE SECRET BURIED WITH HIS MOTHER
Elliot's mother had died when he was eleven.
At least, that was what he'd been told.
A sudden medical emergency.
A private funeral.
A closed casket.
And a father who refused to speak her name.
Elliot turned slowly toward Dominic.
“What happened to Mom?”
Dominic's hands shook.
Norah had never imagined seeing the feared mafia boss look so completely defeated.
“Your mother found out Enzo was involved in something dangerous,” he whispered.
“What?”
“He was fifteen. Already stealing from my accounts and helping one of my associates move illegal money.”
Elliot stared at him.
“Mom discovered it?”
“Yes.”
Dominic swallowed.
“She wanted to report him. I begged her to let me handle it.”
“And then she died.”
Dominic closed his eyes.
“She was in a car accident.”
“Was it an accident?”
“I believed it was.”
Elliot's voice broke.
“Did you investigate?”
Dominic said nothing.
Norah felt cold.
Another life destroyed by silence.
Another truth buried because a powerful man feared exposing his own family.
Elliot stepped back.
“I need a moment.”
Norah nodded.
“Take whatever time you need.”
He entered the adjoining room and closed the door.
Dominic stared after him.
“I lost one son by protecting the other.”
Norah shook her head.
“You haven't lost Elliot. But you need to stop deciding what truth he can handle.”
Before Dominic could answer, Margaret appeared.
“We found something.”
She held a tablet.
“Thomas Whitmore left instructions with an attorney five years ago. They were sealed until certain conditions were met.”
“What conditions?” Norah asked.
“Proof that Enzo was involved in witness intimidation.”
Elliot returned to the doorway.
“I can provide that.”
Margaret nodded.
“The attorney has agreed to release the material to investigators.”
Within an hour, they were viewing a recording Thomas Whitmore had made shortly before his disappearance.
His face filled the screen.
Norah covered her mouth.
“Dad.”
Thomas looked exhausted.
“If anyone is watching this, then Enzo Russo has probably tried to silence me.”
He explained the financial transfers, the medical facilities, and the threats.
Then his expression changed.
“There is one more person Enzo has targeted.”
Elliot leaned forward.
Thomas continued.
“His own mother knew enough to destroy him.”
Dominic stopped breathing.
“But despite what the family believes, her death was never confirmed.”
Norah stared at the screen.
May you like
And Thomas spoke the sentence that changed everything.
“Isabella Russo may still be alive.”
