Chapter 4 - THE CLINIC WITH NO PATIENT RECORDS
The private clinic sat behind iron gates on a wooded property outside Greenwich.
Officially, it specialized in neurological rehabilitation.
Unofficially, investigators had found almost no public information about its patients.
Luca waited at his attorney's office while law enforcement coordinated a lawful search.
He hated waiting.
Every instinct told him to drive there himself.
But Emma's bruised wrists reminded him what happened when powerful people decided rules didn't apply to them.
He wasn't going to become another person who used fear to get what he wanted.
At eleven forty, Vincent called.
"Sir, they've entered the facility."
Luca stood.
"Adrian?"
"They're checking."
Minutes passed.
Then another call.
"Mr. Moretti, we found a patient registered under the name Andrew Bennett."
Luca stopped breathing.
"Is it him?"
"We're confirming his identity."
Another agonizing pause.
Then Vincent spoke.
"It's Adrian."
Luca sat heavily.
His brother.
Alive.
Five years.
For five years, Luca had imagined hearing those words.
And now he couldn't speak.
"Is he okay?" he finally whispered.
"He's conscious. Weak, but responsive."
Luca closed his eyes.
"Thank God."
But the relief didn't last.
Investigators discovered that Adrian had been receiving medication without clear documentation of proper consent.
His medical records contained inconsistencies.
Several treatment authorizations appeared to have been signed by individuals whose legal authority was questionable.
And the facility's financial accounts were connected to the same shell companies involved in the Bennett transaction.
Rebecca Shaw, an independent forensic accountant hired by Luca's legal team, arrived with additional findings.
"The acquisition wasn't simply a business deal."
Luca looked up.
"Then what was it?"
"A mechanism to transfer company ownership through fraudulent authorizations."
He frowned.
"Why use Adrian?"
Rebecca opened another document.
"Because your father's estate divided certain voting rights between you and your brother."
Luca stared.
"Our father left Adrian a minority interest."
Rebecca nodded.
"Those shares were supposed to remain in trust while Adrian was missing."
"So?"
"So someone has been attempting to exercise those rights using documents supposedly signed by Adrian."
Luca felt sick.
"Forged?"
"That's what investigators are examining."
He looked toward the window.
Bianca had planned to marry him.
Gain access to his finances.
Push him into the Bennett acquisition.
Then transfer control of the companies.
But there was still something he didn't understand.
"Who was directing her?"
Rebecca hesitated.
"We traced several payments."
"To whom?"
She turned the screen toward him.
A company name appeared.
BELL INVESTMENT GROUP.
Sophia Bell.
Bianca's closest friend.
The woman who had stood behind Emma holding the riding crop.
Luca stared.
Then Rebecca revealed the final detail.
"The company is owned by Sophia's father."
Luca's heart tightened.
"Who is he?"
Rebecca answered quietly.
May you like
"Martin Bell."
The man who had arranged Adrian's original car insurance settlement.
