Chapter 13 - THE LAST NIGHT OF FEAR
The Bellandi mansion fell into darkness.
For one terrible second, Norah was nineteen again.
Smoke.
Screaming.
A locked door.
Then Roman's voice cut through the blackness.
“Everyone stay calm.”
Emergency lights flickered on.
Marco spoke into his radio.
“Security teams, secure the family wing. No one acts without confirmation.”
Roman guided Teresa and Sofia toward the protected interior hallway.
Norah followed.
But when they reached the library, she heard a familiar voice behind them.
“Such a touching reunion.”
Arthur Whitcomb stood near the doorway.
He was holding a handgun.
His suit was immaculate.
His expression was almost apologetic.
“I did warn Teresa not to trust strangers,” he said.
Roman stepped between Arthur and the women.
“Put it down.”
Arthur smiled.
“You sound exactly like your father.”
“Don't mention my father.”
“Giovanni understood business. You never did.”
Norah's hands shook, but she kept her voice steady.
“You ordered that fire.”
Arthur looked at her.
“An unfortunate necessity.”
“You tried to kill a nineteen-year-old babysitter.”
“I tried to eliminate a witness.”
Sofia began to cry.
Arthur glanced toward her.
“And the child was supposed to remain quiet.”
Roman's voice became dangerously calm.
“You're going to answer for everything.”
Arthur laughed.
“Do you think a courtroom frightens me?”
“No,” Roman said. “But the truth should.”
Behind Arthur, a faint click sounded.
Marco had entered through the adjoining room.
Arthur turned abruptly.
Roman moved at the same instant, grabbing Arthur's gun arm and forcing it away from the others.
A shot struck the ceiling.
Plaster scattered.
Marco tackled Arthur, driving him to the floor.
The weapon slid across the marble.
Two security officers rushed in.
Within seconds, Arthur was restrained.
Norah stood frozen.
Then Roman approached her.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
He gently touched her shoulder.
“It's over.”
But Arthur began laughing.
“You think stopping me changes anything?”
Roman turned.
Arthur's smile widened.
“You haven't seen the real documents.”
“What documents?”
“The ones Matteo hid.”
Roman remembered the bracelet.
The deposit box.
Arthur lifted his head.
“If you open that box, you'll destroy the only good thing your father ever did.”
Roman didn't answer.
But Arthur's final words followed him long after investigators took the accountant away.
May you like
“Your sister wasn't the first child they stole from your family.”
And the bank box held proof of another disappearance.
