Chapter 2 - The Sister Who Died Twice
A dead woman had brought the most feared mafia boss in New York to my apartment.
And now he was telling me that my father's gambling debts were connected to her disappearance.
"Your sister died?" I asked.
Julian nodded.
"Eleven years ago. I watched them cover her body in the emergency department."
My heart tightened.
"What happened?"
"She was seventeen. She needed emergency surgery after a car accident. Her treatment was delayed during a chaotic night, and she died before I could get another specialist."
I looked at the photograph.
May had warm eyes and a mischievous smile.
She didn't look like someone who belonged in Julian's violent world.
"Then how could she be alive?"
"That's what I need to find out."
He showed me another image.
It had been taken three days earlier.
A woman stood near a window, her face partly hidden.
Around her neck was a silver necklace shaped like a crescent moon.
"My mother gave May that necklace," Julian said. "She never took it off."
"Someone could have stolen it."
"Yes."
"Then it could be a trick."
"That's what I'm afraid of."
I handed the phone back.
"What does this have to do with Walter?"
Julian studied me.
"Your father worked at St. Catherine's Hospital."
I froze.
"My father sold medical equipment. He never worked in a hospital."
"He was a maintenance supervisor there for seven years."
I stared.
"No."
"He left shortly after May died."
My knees weakened.
I remembered my father coming home with hospital visitor badges when I was younger.
He'd claimed he was repairing equipment.
I'd never questioned him.
Julian continued.
"Someone used Walter's old credentials to access archived hospital records last month."
"Then talk to him."
"I'm trying."
I turned away.
I had spent years paying for my father's mistakes.
Now those mistakes seemed connected to a tragedy I knew nothing about.
"I need proof before I believe any of this."
Julian nodded.
"Fair."
Then he did something unexpected.
He handed me his phone.
"Call your father."
I dialed.
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
On the third attempt, a stranger answered.
"Hello, Cora."
My entire body went cold.
"Who is this?"
The man chuckled.
"Lorenzo Dresco."
Julian instantly straightened.
I looked at him.
Lorenzo continued.
"Your father has been telling us interesting stories."
"Let me speak to him."
"Not yet."
My hands trembled.
"What do you want?"
"Something your mother left you."
I froze.
"My mother?"
"She was a clever woman, Cora. Much cleverer than your father."
Julian's expression changed.
Lorenzo lowered his voice.
"Find the silver locket she gave you before she died."
My heart began pounding.
I hadn't worn that locket in twelve years.
"Why?"
"Because what is hidden inside belongs to me."
The line went dead.
I stared at the phone.
Julian took one look at my face.
"What did he say?"
I swallowed.
"He wants my mother's locket."
Julian went completely still.
May you like
Then he whispered something that made my blood run cold.
"Your mother's name wasn't always Whitaker, was it?"
