Chapter 5 - THE VAULT BENEATH THE BANK
Damon had access to millions of dollars, private attorneys, and the kind of influence most people only dreamed about.
But Vault Seventeen was something even he had never heard of.
And the discovery frightened him more than he wanted Delaney to know.
"Tell me everything," he demanded.
Evelyn sat beside the fireplace.
Her hands twisted together.
"Your father established a private trust before he died."
Damon frowned.
"I know about the family trusts."
"Not this one."
Evelyn looked at Delaney.
"Margaret helped me create it."
"Why?"
"Because I no longer knew whom to trust."
Victoria appeared in the doorway.
"What's going on?"
Nobody answered immediately.
Her gaze moved toward Delaney.
"Why is she still here?"
Damon stood.
"Because someone broke into her apartment and threatened her."
Victoria's expression shifted.
"That's terrible."
"Yes," Damon replied. "It is."
Evelyn looked away from her.
Damon noticed.
"Victoria, I'd like to speak with my mother privately."
Victoria stiffened.
"I'm your fiancée."
"And this is my mother's business."
For several seconds, they stared at one another.
Then Victoria smiled tightly.
"Of course."
She left.
But Delaney noticed that her reflection remained visible in the hallway mirror for a moment longer than it should have.
The following morning, Damon took Delaney to a private bank in downtown Chicago.
Frank accompanied them.
The branch manager recognized Damon immediately.
"Mr. Bianchi."
"We need access to Vault Seventeen."
The manager's smile disappeared.
"One moment, please."
He returned carrying an old leather ledger.
After checking the brass key, he looked directly at Delaney.
"Your identification, miss?"
Delaney handed him her driver's license.
The manager studied it.
Then closed the ledger.
"Access granted."
Damon narrowed his eyes.
"Why did you need her identification?"
"Because she is one of the authorized beneficiaries."
Delaney stared.
"Beneficiary?"
The manager hesitated.
"Miss Whitfield, your mother established a protected account here twenty-seven years ago."
"My mother was barely making rent twenty-seven years ago."
"Nevertheless, the account exists."
He escorted them through a private corridor.
An employee opened a reinforced steel door.
Inside was a row of secure storage compartments.
Vault Seventeen was larger than the others.
Delaney inserted the brass key.
The lock turned.
Inside sat a metal document case.
And one sealed envelope.
Her name was written across the front.
For Delaney, when the truth finally finds her.
She recognized her mother's handwriting.
Her eyes filled with tears.
Damon quietly stepped away.
Delaney opened the letter.
My beautiful girl,
If you're reading this, someone has finally connected you to the Bianchi family.
I prayed this day would never come.
There is something you must understand about the night Damon Bianchi's father died.
Delaney's breath caught.
She read the next sentence.
Then slowly looked at Damon.
"My mother says your father wasn't killed by his enemies."
Damon became perfectly still.
May you like
Delaney continued.
"She says someone inside your own house murdered him."
