Chapter 7 - THE MAN WHO LIED TO SAVE US
Tommy Bellini had lied to Roman for three years.
That much was true.
But the rest of the story was more complicated.
Detective Bennett asked him to provide a formal statement.
He agreed.
Roman stood near the window, looking as though he wanted to tear the room apart.
But he didn't.
He waited.
Tommy explained that Victor Bellini was his older brother.
Their family had spent decades involved in the Moretti organization.
When Victor began using Elena's identity for fraudulent financial transactions, Tommy discovered the scheme.
He tried to stop it.
Victor threatened him.
Then threatened Margaret.
Sophia.
And me.
“So you helped them disappear?” I asked.
Tommy nodded.
“Yes.”
My hands trembled.
“Without telling me?”
“You'd already run.”
I stared.
“You knew where I was?”
“Not until recently.”
Roman turned sharply.
“Did you know Nora was alive?”
Tommy looked at him.
“Yes.”
Roman's face tightened.
“And you let me believe she was gone?”
Tommy lowered his head.
“I believed you were still under your father's influence.”
Silence.
Roman looked wounded.
Then he whispered:
“You were right to be careful.”
That surprised everyone.
Including me.
Tommy continued.
“Margaret and Sophia were placed in separate protected locations. Elena worked with investigators to gather evidence.”
“What happened to Elena?” I asked.
His expression darkened.
“Victor found out she was cooperating.”
My stomach tightened.
“And now he's taken her again.”
Tommy nodded.
“But she planned for that possibility.”
He reached into his jacket.
The officers immediately became alert.
Tommy stopped.
“It's a document.”
Detective Bennett retrieved it.
Inside was a photograph of an old mansion near Albany.
A private medical facility once owned by the Moretti family.
Roman recognized it.
“My father's country estate.”
Tommy nodded.
“Victor converted part of it into a residential treatment center.”
I swallowed.
“What does that have to do with Elena?”
“She believed the original identity records were hidden there.”
Detective Bennett looked up.
“Do we have grounds for a search?”
Tommy handed her another document.
A sworn statement.
Signed by Elena.
Describing unlawful confinement, financial fraud, and threats.
The detective immediately began coordinating with the appropriate authorities.
I looked toward Roman.
His face was grim.
But he wasn't calling armed men.
He wasn't ordering revenge.
He was cooperating.
For the first time, I saw the possibility that he might have changed.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered cautiously.
A woman's voice whispered:
“Nora?”
My heart stopped.
“Elena?”
“Yes.”
She sounded frightened.
“Please listen.”
I gripped the phone.
“Where are you?”
“I can't say.”
“Are you safe?”
A pause.
Then she whispered:
“No.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“Elena…”
She interrupted.
“You need to know something about Victor.”
My stomach tightened.
“What?”
“He isn't trying to keep us apart because of the money.”
I froze.
“Then why?”
Her voice broke.
“Because he knows the truth about Roman's father.”
Roman stepped closer.
May you like
Then Elena whispered:
“Vittorio Moretti didn't die naturally. Victor killed him—and Roman was supposed to be next.”
