Chapter 10 - THE FORGERY THAT OPENED EVERY BOOK
Victor’s mistake was using a dead woman’s signature.
It seemed almost insulting after thirty years of sophisticated fraud.
“Arrogance,” Luca said.
Rose stared at the document.
“He assumed no one would look.”
“Exactly.”
The forged waiver did more than weaken Victor’s lawsuit.
It gave the court probable cause to examine related partnership records.
The audit began.
And once accountants opened Benedetti Distribution’s old books, everything came out.
Shell vendors.
Construction kickbacks.
False legal fees.
Payments routed to Vance entities.
Thirty years.
More than forty million dollars.
Luca stood in Rose’s kitchen at 2:00 a.m. reading the preliminary report while she rolled pie crust.
“You should sleep.”
“So should you.”
“I own the bakery.”
“I own insomnia.”
She almost smiled.
Then he said:
“Victor will be indicted.”
Serena had agreed to cooperate.
Carmela too.
Luca turned over company records voluntarily.
Rose noticed something.
“You could have buried this.”
“Yes.”
“And kept control.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you?”
He looked at her as though the question confused him.
“Because it would still be theft.”
That answer was annoyingly attractive.
Rose pushed harder on the rolling pin.
Luca watched.
“Are you angry at the dough?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Personal reasons.”
“Am I one?”
“Possibly.”
He smiled.
Then Tessa appeared in pajamas.
“You two are weird.”
Rose nearly jumped.
“Go to bed.”
“I was getting water.”
Tessa looked at Luca.
“Are you dating my aunt?”
“No,” Rose said.
“Not yet,” Luca said simultaneously.
Rose stared.
He looked entirely unashamed.
Tessa grinned.
“I like him.”
“Traitor.”
She left.
Rose pointed the rolling pin at Luca.
“Not yet?”
“Optimism.”
“Dangerous.”
“I’ve survived worse.”
She should have rejected him immediately.
Instead:
“You were engaged to my sister.”
“That sentence is disturbing.”
“Exactly.”
“Serena and I ended eighteen months ago.”
“Why?”
He became serious.
“Because she wanted a version of me who never said no to her father.”
That sounded familiar.
“Did you love her?”
“Yes.”
Rose appreciated the answer.
“And now?”
“No.”
“Does she know?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Luca stepped closer.
Not touching.
“Would you have dinner with me?”
Rose looked at herself.
Flour on her shirt.
Hair tied up.
No makeup.
Body exactly as Serena had used to humiliate her.
Luca’s gaze did not move away.
“Why?”
“Because I want to.”
“That simple?”
“Yes.”
Rose did not trust simple.
But she wanted to.
“After the audit.”
“Fine.”
Then Luca’s phone buzzed.
His expression changed.
“What?”
He showed her.
The audit had uncovered another account.
Beneficiary:
STANLEY KOWALIK.
Balance:
$3,840,000.
Rose stopped.
“My father had nearly four million dollars?”
“No.”
Luca scrolled.
“The money was deposited after his death.”
By Carlo Benedetti.
Every year for seven years.
The account had never been touched.
Attached memo:
May you like
FOR ROSE — WHEN VICTOR CAN NO LONGER TAKE IT.
Carlo had been secretly saving restitution for her.
