Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WHO REMEMBERED THE WRONG FUNERAL
Dante Moretti had spent fifteen years hunting the wrong explanation for his father's death.
And the only person who might prove it was a woman whose memory had been slipping away.
The next morning, he drove Alessia to Rosewood Care Center.
She insisted on going with him.
"Mom gets frightened around strangers," she explained. "Especially men in expensive suits."
Dante glanced at his charcoal jacket.
"Should I change?"
Despite everything, Alessia almost smiled.
"Just don't look like you're about to buy the building."
He nodded.
"I'll try."
Rosa Romano sat near a window overlooking a small garden.
Her silver hair was neatly braided.
A faded pink sweater hung loosely around her shoulders.
When Alessia entered, Rosa's face brightened.
"My girl."
Alessia rushed forward.
"Hi, Mom."
She kissed her forehead.
"I brought someone."
Rosa looked toward Dante.
Her expression changed immediately.
For a moment, she seemed terrified.
Then tears filled her eyes.
"Salvatore?"
Dante froze.
Alessia knelt beside her.
"Mom, this is Dante. Salvatore's son."
Rosa stared at him.
"His eyes."
Her voice trembled.
"He has his father's eyes."
Dante approached slowly.
"Mrs. Romano, did you know my father?"
Rosa looked toward the door.
"Don't let Lorenzo hear."
Alessia's stomach tightened.
"Mom, you're safe."
Rosa shook her head.
"No. The red folder."
Dante leaned forward.
"What red folder?"
Rosa gripped Alessia's hand.
"Bianca hid it. She said the truth would save her boy."
Dante's face drained of color.
"Where did she hide it?"
Rosa looked confused.
"Three... seventeen."
Alessia and Dante exchanged a glance.
The number engraved on the brass key.
317.
Rosa suddenly began trembling.
"He came after midnight."
"Who?" Dante asked.
"Lorenzo."
"What happened?"
Rosa squeezed Alessia's hand.
"Salvatore knew about the stolen money. He was going to call the authorities."
Dante's jaw tightened.
"Did Lorenzo hurt him?"
Rosa began crying.
"I heard them arguing. Then there was a crash."
Alessia held her mother.
"It's okay."
Rosa looked directly at Dante.
"Your father was alive when I reached him."
Silence filled the room.
Dante's voice became a whisper.
"What?"
"He was breathing."
Dante leaned closer.
"Then why did the doctors say he died immediately?"
Rosa covered her face.
"Because Lorenzo brought his own doctor."
Alessia felt cold.
Dante stood slowly.
For fifteen years, he had believed his father died instantly.
Now Rosa was telling him Salvatore had survived the initial attack.
Before Dante could ask another question, Rosa looked toward the hallway.
Her expression changed to terror.
"He's here."
Alessia turned.
A man in a dark coat stood beyond the glass door.
He wore a hospital visitor badge.
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And a small silver cufflink engraved with the letter B.
Lorenzo Bellini.
