Chapter 3 - The Girl in the Photograph
I had never met Adrian Moretti's missing sister.
At least, that's what I believed until he showed me her photograph.
She was twenty-three, with dark curls, warm brown eyes, and a smile that reminded me of someone.
Someone I couldn't immediately place.
"Her name is Isabella Moretti," Adrian said.
I leaned closer.
"Wait."
He watched me.
"What?"
"I know her."
His expression changed.
"From where?"
"She used to visit the rehabilitation center where my brother received treatment."
Adrian went completely still.
"When?"
"Last winter. She volunteered there. Mostly with younger patients."
"Are you certain?"
"She went by Bella."
Adrian grabbed the photograph.
"What else?"
I thought carefully.
"She was kind. Really quiet. She helped Ethan when he was learning to walk with crutches."
Adrian's breathing changed.
"Did she ever mention me?"
"No."
"Did she mention being afraid?"
I hesitated.
"Actually, yes."
His eyes sharpened.
"Tell me."
"One afternoon, she asked whether my brother and I had family nearby. When I told her it was just us, she said sometimes family could be the most dangerous place in the world."
Adrian closed his eyes.
For a moment, he looked less like a mafia boss and more like a frightened older brother.
"She disappeared three weeks later," he whispered.
I sat down.
"What happened?"
"Six months ago, Isabella discovered something about our father's businesses. She intended to bring the information to me."
"And?"
"She vanished before we could meet."
I stared at the photograph.
Bella.
The woman who had brought Ethan homemade cookies during his worst days.
The woman who had once slipped me forty dollars for groceries and insisted she'd found it on the sidewalk.
My chest tightened.
"She helped us."
Adrian looked up.
"What?"
"Your sister helped my brother when nobody else would."
Silence filled the office.
Then Adrian slowly sat across from me.
"Do you remember anything unusual about her final visit?"
I searched my memory.
There had been snow.
Ethan had been having a difficult therapy session.
Bella had arrived carrying a red backpack.
And she'd seemed frightened.
"She gave Ethan something."
Adrian leaned forward.
"What?"
"A children's book."
"What book?"
I tried to remember.
Then it came back.
"The Secret Garden."
Adrian stared at me.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes. Ethan still has it."
His expression turned pale.
"That was Isabella's favorite book when we were children."
I reached for my phone.
"I can call Ethan."
Adrian shook his head.
"Not yet."
"Why?"
"Because if Victoria has been watching your family, she may know about the book."
My heart pounded.
Adrian walked toward the window.
Then he spoke quietly.
"Mara, my sister was investigating a network of stolen medical funds before she disappeared."
I swallowed.
"What kind of funds?"
"Money intended for injured children and rehabilitation patients."
My stomach twisted.
Ethan's treatment had been delayed twice because our medical assistance had mysteriously disappeared.
I looked at Adrian.
"Do you think Isabella found out why my brother's treatment was canceled?"
His expression darkened.
"I think she found the answer."
May you like
He turned toward me.
"And I think she hid it inside that book."
