Chapter 5 - THE SAFE THAT HELD A FAMILY'S FATE
The abandoned bakery stood on a narrow street in the French Quarter, its windows boarded and its sign hanging crookedly above the entrance.
Nell hadn't visited in years.
The moment she stepped inside, the scent of old wood and burned plaster seemed to pull her backward through time.
She remembered her mother humming while kneading dough.
She remembered Emmett lifting her onto the counter so she could sprinkle pecans over warm pastry.
And she remembered the night the flames turned the windows orange.
Carmine followed her into the ruined kitchen with Benny and Victor close behind.
"Stay behind me," Carmine instructed.
Nell gave him a sharp look.
"I survived three years in your mansion without anyone protecting me."
"Yes, and apparently you also survived a childhood full of people trying to steal your inheritance. Allow me one moment of concern."
Despite everything, she almost smiled.
Victor pointed toward a section of blue ceramic tile near the old oven.
Nell knelt and removed a loose piece.
Beneath it was a small metal lock.
Her hands shook as she inserted the key.
A click echoed through the empty building.
A narrow compartment opened in the floor, revealing a steel safe.
Nell entered her mother's birthday into the keypad.
The door unlocked.
Inside lay a leather ledger, several sealed envelopes, and a velvet pouch containing an antique gold ring.
Nell picked up the ring.
Her mother's initials were engraved inside.
She pressed it against her lips.
Carmine opened the ledger carefully.
The pages contained records of payments, property purchases, and transfers between companies. Several entries were marked with the same symbol: a black raven.
Benny recognized it.
"That's Voss's old mark."
Victor nodded.
"Silas used it to identify accounts that belonged to his private organization."
Nell opened one of the envelopes.
Inside was a letter written by her mother.
If you're reading this, my daughter, the truth has survived even if I haven't.
Tears blurred the words.
She continued reading.
Her mother explained that the Fontaine fortune had been placed in trust to protect the family from Silas Voss, who had attempted to seize control of their business.
But the final paragraph was different.
It named the person who had helped Silas access the bakery's accounts.
Nell read the name aloud.
"Anthony Orsini."
Carmine stopped breathing.
May you like
Anthony was his father.
And the ledger showed that on the night of the fire, Anthony had authorized a payment to the man who later became the chief suspect in the murders.
