Chapter 5 - THE SECURITY CHIEF WHO KNEW MY HUSBAND
Vincent Rinaldi had been standing beside Peter Castiglione for fifteen years.
He knew Peter's schedule.
His cars.
His business partners.
And every security procedure surrounding the Castiglione family.
Now my dead husband was accusing him of betrayal.
I wanted to call Peter immediately.
Then I remembered Daniel's warning.
Someone close to Peter had helped conceal the truth.
What if Peter was involved?
What if he'd known about his parents all along?
Detective Laura Bennett, the officer assigned to the investigation, examined the evidence.
“We need to verify what Daniel believed,” she said.
I nodded.
“But Vincent was at the diner.”
“Yes.”
“He knows Leo's name.”
“Yes.”
My chest tightened.
“He knows where we live.”
Detective Bennett's expression grew serious.
“We'll address the safety concerns.”
That morning, I received a call from Peter.
“Mara?”
His voice sounded tired.
“How are you and Leo?”
I hesitated.
“We're safe for now.”
“Good.”
Then he said something unexpected.
“My father wants to see you.”
I stared at the phone.
“Sam?”
“Yes.”
“He's awake?”
“Very much.”
For a moment, I smiled.
Then Peter continued.
“He says he remembers Daniel.”
My heart tightened.
“What does he remember?”
“He wants to tell you himself.”
The meeting took place at the hospital with Detective Bennett present.
Peter looked exhausted.
His parents were resting in adjoining rooms.
Vincent was nowhere in sight.
That surprised me.
“Where's your security chief?”
Peter's expression changed.
“Why?”
I studied him.
For a moment, I considered lying.
Then I remembered Daniel.
He'd died trying to tell the truth.
I wasn't going to begin by hiding it.
“I found something in my husband's belongings.”
Peter went still.
“What?”
“A recording.”
His jaw tightened.
“Of what?”
“Daniel believed Vincent was working with your uncle.”
Peter stared at me.
Then looked toward Detective Bennett.
For a long moment, nobody spoke.
Finally, Peter said:
“Vincent disappeared this morning.”
My stomach dropped.
“What?”
“He didn't report for duty. His phone is off.”
The detective immediately requested the relevant information.
Then Sam called us into his room.
He looked stronger.
Rose sat beside him.
“Mara,” he whispered.
I took his hand.
“Hi, Sam.”
He smiled sadly.
“Your husband was a brave man.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“Thank you.”
Sam looked toward Peter.
“Domenico, I need to tell you why Silvio took everything.”
Peter sat down.
“I'm listening, Papa.”
Sam swallowed.
“Your grandfather left a trust worth almost nine hundred million dollars.”
Peter's face changed.
“What trust?”
Sam looked toward Rose.
Then whispered:
“Your uncle needed the world to believe we were dead. Because if your mother and I were alive, every dollar he stole would have to be returned.”
Peter went completely still.
But Sam wasn't finished.
“And Domenico, Silvio didn't merely steal our money.”
May you like
His voice broke.
“He stole your real name.”
