Chapter 11 - THE MAN WHO TOOK NOEL TWICE
Clara did not scream when she learned Noel was gone again.
That frightened Raphael more.
She simply looked at him and said:
“Bring me my daughter.”
He nodded.
“I will.”
Anthony’s car was tracked north toward Gloucester.
Daniel insisted on coming.
So did Bianca.
Raphael almost refused.
Then Bianca gave him the notebook.
“You need me.”
“Why?”
“Because Anthony won’t hurt Noel if he thinks I’m still on his side.”
Clara stared at the woman who had threatened her family.
“You expect me to trust you?”
“No.”
Bianca’s voice broke.
“But I can help.”
They found Anthony at an abandoned coastal house.
Noel sat at a kitchen table coloring.
Again, unharmed.
Anthony stood behind her.
“No guns.”
Raphael entered with empty hands.
Clara remained outside with Daniel.
“Let her go.”
Anthony smiled sadly.
“You’re more like your father than you think.”
“My father would already have you buried.”
“No. Your father changed at the end.”
Raphael stopped.
Anthony continued.
“Leon wanted peace. That made him dangerous to Victor.”
“You killed him.”
“I helped.”
Finally.
The truth.
Anthony had disabled the streetlight.
Victor drove the car.
Anthony removed the notebook and coat afterward.
Years later, when Clara found the coat, Anthony pushed her down the stairs to silence her.
“But why Noel?”
Anthony looked at the little girl.
“Because Victor is dying.”
Raphael frowned.
“He wants to see his granddaughter.”
Clara appeared in the doorway.
“No.”
Anthony went pale.
She walked inside.
“You do not get to decide that.”
Noel saw her.
“Mommy!”
Anthony released the child.
Clara ran forward.
Noel wrapped herself around her.
Raphael watched Anthony.
“You could have run.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you?”
Anthony looked exhausted.
“Because I am tired of carrying dead men's secrets.”
Sirens approached.
Daniel had called federal agents.
Anthony lifted his hands.
Before they took him away, he looked at Raphael.
“One more thing.”
“What?”
“Your father survived the crash.”
Raphael’s face hardened.
“We know.”
“No.”
Anthony shook his head.
“I mean he survived after the hospital pronounced him dead.”
Raphael stared at him.
“That’s impossible.”
May you like
Anthony whispered:
“Leon Duca lived for another eleven months.”
