Chapter 9 - THE MOTHER WHO WAS NEVER BURIED
Matteo's mother might still be alive.
I watched the realization spread across his face.
For eleven years, he'd visited her grave.
For eleven years, he'd believed she'd died because someone tampered with her medication.
Now the records suggested she had been transferred somewhere after her supposed death.
“Where?” he demanded.
Luca checked the documents.
“A private facility outside Albany.”
Matteo's hands trembled.
“Is she alive?”
“We don't know.”
Gabriel stepped forward.
“Antonio told me she was dead.”
Matteo looked at him.
“When?”
“Three months ago.”
My stomach tightened.
Why would Antonio discuss Isabella with Gabriel?
Unless he knew exactly who Gabriel was.
And had been controlling him too.
Matteo turned toward me.
“Naomi, you need rest.”
I shook my head.
“I need to know what happened to my father.”
“You will.”
His voice softened.
“But you're still recovering.”
He was right.
My headaches had begun improving under medical care, but I remained exhausted.
For the first time, I allowed someone else to handle the danger.
Investigators obtained the facility's records.
They discovered that Isabella Marino had been registered under another name.
Anna Bell.
Her medical history contained years of conflicting information.
The facility claimed she had suffered severe memory problems.
But one note stood out.
Patient repeatedly requests contact with sons Matteo and Gabriel.
Matteo covered his mouth.
Gabriel began crying.
“She remembered us.”
I looked away, overwhelmed.
Then another document appeared.
A visitor log.
Someone had been visiting Isabella every month.
Antonio Marino.
My stomach turned.
“He knew.”
Matteo's expression became frighteningly calm.
“Yes.”
Then Luca opened another entry.
A second visitor.
Daniel Parker.
My father.
I stared.
“Dad?”
The records showed he'd visited Isabella repeatedly over the years.
But the most recent entry was from three weeks earlier.
And beside his name was a note.
Visitor attempted to remove patient. Security intervention required.
My hands began shaking.
“He tried to rescue her.”
Gabriel nodded.
“He's been working with a former employee to expose everything.”
I stared at him.
“Where is he now?”
Gabriel hesitated.
Then looked toward Matteo.
“I know.”
My heart raced.
“Tell me.”
“He's hiding near the facility.”
Matteo stepped closer.
“Can you contact him?”
Gabriel nodded.
“But there's something you should know first.”
I swallowed.
“What?”
Gabriel looked directly at me.
“Your father didn't disappear because he was afraid.”
I stared.
“Then why?”
May you like
Gabriel's voice broke.
“Because he was the only person who knew who really poisoned Isabella Marino.”
