Chapter 12 - ROMAN'S MOTHER STARTED THE WAR
Roman remembered his mother as gentle.
Quiet.
A woman who planted basil on the fire escape and hated when Salvatore raised his voice.
The ledger revealed someone else.
Rebecca Falco had secretly moved money out of her husband’s criminal accounts for years.
Not for herself.
For victims.
Families ruined by loan schemes.
Employees threatened into silence.
Women trying to escape abusive men connected to Salvatore.
“She was building escape funds,” Harper said.
Roman stared at the pages.
His mother had died when he was sixteen.
Car accident.
Another convenient death.
Marcus stole the ledger because it proved Rebecca discovered Salvatore’s offshore system.
Harper looked at Roman.
“You think your father killed her.”
“I know he did.”
But why would Marcus steal evidence that helped prosecutors?
The answer came from Derek.
Police finally located him in a motel after he called for medical assistance.
He surrendered.
Without negotiation.
Without bravado.
He looked smaller in custody.
Harper agreed to speak with him through glass.
Not alone.
Never alone.
“Marcus is going after Salvatore,” Derek said.
“Salvatore is in federal custody.”
“For now.”
Marcus had learned prosecutors were considering moving Salvatore to a secure medical facility because of heart problems.
Transfer route confidential.
Marcus stole Rebecca’s ledger because one page contained an old emergency contact code used by corrupt law-enforcement officers still loyal to the family.
He intended to intercept the transfer.
Roman stood.
“I have to stop him.”
Harper looked at Derek.
“Why tell us?”
For once Derek looked ashamed.
“Because I know what happens when anger becomes the only thing you have left.”
Harper did not forgive him.
But she believed him.
Federal authorities changed Salvatore’s transfer.
Marcus still found out.
Someone inside leaked the new route.
A pursuit ended at an abandoned bridge outside the city.
Roman arrived with officers.
Marcus stood on the other side of the barrier holding a gun.
Salvatore, handcuffed, knelt several feet away.
Marcus shouted,
“He killed Mom!”
Roman moved slowly.
“I know.”
“He ordered your shooting.”
“I know.”
“He destroyed everything.”
“I know.”
Marcus’s hand shook.
“Then why are you stopping me?”
Roman answered quietly.
“Because I already lost my mother.”
He took another step.
“I’m not losing my brother to him too.”
Marcus broke.
The gun lowered.
Police arrested him without a shot fired.
Salvatore was returned to custody.
Hours later, Roman sat outside the station.
Harper joined him.
He looked exhausted.
“My entire family is either arrested, dead, or cooperating with prosecutors.”
“Sounds peaceful.”
Roman laughed despite himself.
Then his phone rang.
His attorney.
Salvatore had agreed to a full confession.
There was one condition.
He wanted to speak privately with Roman first.
Roman refused.
The attorney hesitated.
“He says it concerns your mother.”
Roman went still.
Then came the secret.
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Rebecca Falco’s car accident had not killed her.
Salvatore claimed Roman’s mother was still alive.
