Chapter 10 - THE MAN WHO KNEW THE ORIGINAL CRIME
My father knew who had poisoned Matteo's mother.
And for nine years, he'd been hiding with that secret.
I sat inside the hospital, staring at the photograph of Daniel Parker.
He looked older.
His hair was almost completely gray.
But his eyes were the same.
The same eyes that had watched me perform in school plays.
The same eyes that filled with tears when I graduated high school.
The same eyes I'd believed were closed forever.
“Why didn't he come home?” I whispered.
Gabriel looked at me.
“Because Antonio threatened your mother.”
My heart tightened.
“My mother?”
He nodded.
“She was told that if Daniel returned, you'd both be hurt.”
I covered my mouth.
For years, I'd wondered why Mom rarely spoke about Dad's death.
Why she avoided questions.
Why she cried whenever I mentioned the cemetery.
Now I understood that she might have known more than she could safely tell me.
Matteo stood near the window.
His expression was dark.
“Antonio used everyone.”
Gabriel nodded.
“He controlled the medical facilities, the trusts, and the records.”
I looked up.
“But why?”
“Money,” Gabriel said. “And power.”
Matteo turned.
“What money?”
Gabriel opened a folder.
“Your mother controlled a trust worth more than two hundred million dollars.”
My breath caught.
Matteo stared.
“I know.”
Gabriel continued.
“The trust was supposed to transfer to her sons when Gabriel turned twenty-five.”
Matteo's face changed.
“But Gabriel was declared dead.”
“Exactly.”
I understood.
“If both sons were separated from the trust, someone else could control it.”
Gabriel nodded.
“Antonio.”
Matteo closed his eyes.
For years, his uncle had managed the family wealth.
Pretended to grieve Isabella.
Pretended to support Matteo.
And all that time, he had been benefiting from the lie.
Then Luca entered.
“Boss, investigators have found Daniel Parker.”
My heart stopped.
“Where?”
“Inside a small apartment near Albany.”
I stood too quickly.
The room tilted.
Matteo caught my elbow.
“Easy.”
I steadied myself.
“Is he alive?”
“Yes.”
Tears filled my eyes.
“Can I see him?”
Luca nodded.
“He's agreed to meet investigators and provide evidence.”
I began crying.
After nine years, I might finally see my father.
But then Luca continued.
“There's one complication.”
Matteo's expression hardened.
“What?”
“Daniel says Antonio wasn't the person who physically administered Isabella's medication.”
My stomach tightened.
“Then who was?”
Luca looked toward Dr. Bennett, who had just entered the room.
The doctor stopped.
His face went pale.
May you like
And Luca said:
“The medication was administered by a physician named Samuel Bennett.”
