Chapter 9 - A Dead Man's Signature
Robert Costello had been buried with military honors.
At least, that was what Arthur had always believed.
He remembered standing beside his father's grave twelve years earlier while Chicago's most influential men lowered their heads respectfully.
Now he was staring at a document suggesting his uncle had been involved in a secret witness relocation.
Three months after his supposed death.
“That can't be right,” Arthur said.
Beatrice pointed to the date.
“It is either forged or he was alive.”
Arthur examined the signature again.
His uncle's handwriting had always been distinctive.
A large looping R.
A sharp downward stroke beneath the final letter.
He knew it immediately.
“It's his.”
Beatrice watched him.
“Then someone lied about his death.”
Arthur made a phone call.
“Leo. I need the original documentation from Uncle Robert's estate.”
His brother sounded confused.
“Why?”
“Because we may have buried the wrong man.”
Silence.
Then Leo said, “Arthur, there's something you should know.”
Arthur stiffened.
“Tell me.”
“Camila's mother has been asking about Robert's trust since the engagement.”
“Why?”
“She said it contained an old agreement between our families.”
Arthur's eyes narrowed.
“What agreement?”
“I don't know. She wouldn't explain.”
Beatrice took the phone.
“Leo, where are you?”
“At the hotel.”
“Is Camila with you?”
“No. She went to see her mother.”
Beatrice glanced at Arthur.
“Don't let either of them leave before we get there.”
Leo hesitated.
“Beatrice, Camila isn't involved in whatever this is.”
“I hope you're right.”
They arrived at the hotel thirty minutes later.
The ballroom had been cleared.
Workers were removing flowers.
The wedding cake sat untouched in a refrigerated display.
Leo waited in a private lounge.
He looked exhausted.
“I thought yesterday was supposed to be the happiest day of my life.”
Arthur placed a hand on his shoulder.
“It still can be.”
Leo gave a bitter laugh.
“That's optimistic.”
Before Arthur could reply, Camila entered.
Her eyes were swollen from crying.
“I heard my mother's name again,” she said. “Tell me what's happening.”
Beatrice approached gently.
“Camila, do you know anything about Robert Costello?”
Camila looked startled.
“Your uncle?”
“Yes.”
“My mother has an old photograph of him.”
Arthur went still.
“What photograph?”
Camila swallowed.
“She keeps it locked in her bedroom.”
“Can you get it?”
Camila hesitated.
Then she reached into her handbag.
“I already did.”
She handed Arthur a small black-and-white photograph.
Robert Costello stood outside a private airfield.
Beside him was Isabella DeLuca.
And between them stood Daniel Gallagher.
Beatrice stared at her father's face.
On the back, someone had written a date.
June 12, 2014.
Six years after Robert's supposed death.
Beneath the date were three words.
THE FINAL PAYMENT.
Camila's voice trembled.
“My mother told me that photograph was connected to my college fund.”
Arthur looked up sharply.
“Your college fund?”
Camila nodded.
“She said the money came from a trust Uncle Robert established.”
Beatrice suddenly understood.
She turned to Arthur.
“Richard wasn't stealing small amounts for himself.”
Arthur's eyes darkened.
“He was distributing payments.”
“To whom?”
Beatrice held up the photograph.
“To everyone who helped keep Daniel Gallagher silent.”
May you like
Then Camila whispered something that made both brothers turn.
“My mother told me yesterday that if I married Leo, the payments would finally stop.”
