Chapter 9 - THE TRAP INSIDE THE CONFESSION
Bianca Russo had known about the ring for months.
That was what Elena finally understood.
The humiliation in the lounge.
The stolen financial records.
The forged divorce paperwork.
None of it had been spontaneous.
Bianca wanted Elena angry enough to leave the ring behind.
She wanted Dante frightened enough to retrieve it.
And she wanted both of them distracted while Victor completed the transfer of Moretti Shipping.
Rachel called the federal investigator.
“Do not connect the substituted drive,” she warned. “Preserve it as evidence.”
Elena sat back.
“How did Bianca get into my handbag?”
Luca looked uncomfortable.
“The night of the gala, you left it in the dressing room.”
Elena remembered.
Bianca had offered to send someone to bring it downstairs.
She had even complimented the dark blue silk dress.
You always look so modest, Elena.
Elena's jaw tightened.
“I thought she was being polite.”
Luca shook his head.
“She was measuring how easily she could hurt you.”
Elena turned toward him.
“Why did you wait eight years to tell Dante you were alive?”
Luca's expression changed.
“I didn't trust him.”
The answer stung.
“Why?”
“Because when our father died, Dante inherited everything. I inherited the debts.”
Elena stared.
“Our father made enemies,” Luca continued. “Victor approached me with an offer. Help him move money through the family businesses, and he'd clear what I owed.”
“You agreed?”
“At first.”
Elena stood.
“Luca.”
“I was twenty-four and stupid.”
“And then?”
“Then I found out what Victor was really doing.”
Luca explained that Victor had used the money to finance illegal operations and bribery.
When Luca tried to leave, Victor arranged the warehouse explosion.
The world believed Luca died.
Elena had unknowingly paid for the emergency treatment that kept him alive.
For years, he had worked under an assumed name, collecting evidence.
“Why come back now?” she asked.
“Because Victor's plan is almost finished.”
Before he could explain, Rachel's phone rang.
She answered.
Then she went very still.
“Dante has been arrested.”
Elena felt the floor disappear.
“For what?”
Rachel's voice was grim.
“The murder of Victor Salerno's financial adviser.”
Luca swore.
“That happened this morning.”
Rachel nodded.
“Police found evidence connecting Dante to the victim.”
Elena closed her eyes.
The frame-up had begun.
Then Rachel continued.
“There's something else.”
“What?”
“The authorities received an anonymous statement claiming Dante ordered the murder to protect his wife's financial secrets.”
Elena stared.
“Who's the witness?”
Rachel swallowed.
“The statement was signed by Bianca Russo.”
Elena shook her head.
“She knows he's innocent.”
“Perhaps.”
Rachel turned the tablet around.
A photograph appeared.
Dante being escorted into a police vehicle.
His expression was grim.
But what stopped Elena's heart was the woman standing behind him.
Bianca.
May you like
Smiling.
And on her left hand was Elena's missing diamond ring.
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