Chapter 3 - THE ACCOUNT THAT BELONGED TO A DEAD WOMAN
Rosa Moretti's bank account had transferred thirty thousand dollars two days before Paulie was poisoned.
That was what Leo's financial report showed.
The account had been inactive for years.
Then someone suddenly accessed it.
A transfer.
A withdrawal.
And a payment to one of Gabriel's kitchen employees.
I stared at the documents.
“That doesn't make sense.”
Gabriel sat beside the diner window.
His face was pale.
He'd managed half a bowl of stew before nausea and exhaustion forced him to stop.
For eight days, he'd barely eaten.
I could see how weak he was.
“Have you seen a doctor?” I asked.
He looked at me.
“What?”
“You haven't eaten properly in over a week. You're dehydrated. Your hands are shaking.”
Leo stepped forward.
“He refuses hospital food too.”
I frowned.
“Then find a medical team you can verify independently.”
Gabriel studied me.
“You're very direct.”
“I work in a diner. Being indirect doesn't get breakfast served.”
For the first time, he almost smiled.
Then he nodded.
“Fine.”
I wasn't about to pretend a bowl of stew had magically cured his fear.
Gabriel needed medical attention.
And whatever had happened to Paulie needed proper investigation.
The next morning, an independent physician evaluated him.
Dehydration.
Significant weight loss.
Exhaustion.
And severe anxiety following the poisoning incident.
The doctor developed a monitored recovery plan and recommended mental health support.
Gabriel didn't like that last part.
I could tell.
But he agreed.
Meanwhile, investigators examined the payment connected to Rosa's account.
The original banking documents had been altered.
Several signatures appeared inconsistent.
And the account had been controlled through a private trust established by Anthony Hayes.
Gabriel's father.
I stared.
“Why would your father keep using Rosa's name?”
Gabriel looked toward the report.
“Because he controlled her finances.”
That made my stomach turn.
Rosa had lived in a tiny apartment.
Wore repaired sweaters.
Bought groceries with coupons.
And sometimes skipped meals so I could eat.
Yet her name had been attached to accounts worth millions.
I looked at Gabriel.
“She didn't know?”
He shook his head.
“I doubt it.”
The investigation expanded.
Several old trust documents linked Anthony Hayes to questionable charitable payments.
Some funds had been intended for medical assistance programs.
Others came from businesses connected to Gabriel's organization.
But one account stood out.
A savings trust established seventeen years earlier.
Beneficiary: Gabriel Hayes.
Secondary beneficiary: Norah Bennett.
I stared.
“My name?”
Gabriel looked equally shocked.
Rebecca Shaw, the attorney reviewing the documents, nodded.
“Yes.”
I felt cold.
“Why would Rosa leave me money?”
Rebecca considered the question.
“Perhaps she wanted to support your education.”
I shook my head.
“Rosa barely had enough for groceries.”
Gabriel studied the document.
Then his eyes narrowed.
“The account wasn't funded by Rosa.”
Rebecca looked toward him.
“Who funded it?”
Gabriel pointed toward the signature.
“Anthony Hayes.”
His father.
Then Rebecca turned another page.
The trust included a sealed statement.
It was marked:
TO BE OPENED IF GABRIEL AND NORAH EVER MEET.
I stopped breathing.
May you like
Someone had anticipated that the most feared man in the city would someday sit across from an ordinary waitress.
And according to the document, our meeting was never supposed to be accidental.
