Chapter 5 - THE WITNESS WHO LIVED NEXT DOOR
Evelyn had spent her childhood in a small Chicago apartment above a laundromat.
Her mother worked two jobs.
They rarely had money.
But Catherine Gallagher always made sure Evelyn felt loved.
Now she was learning her mother had spent years hiding a dangerous secret.
And someone had tried to use that secret to manipulate Vincent.
"Who was the witness?" Evelyn asked.
The investigator opened another file.
"Your mother's former neighbor."
Evelyn frowned.
"Mrs. Dawson?"
He nodded.
"Elaine Dawson."
Evelyn remembered her.
An elderly woman who smelled like lavender soap.
She used to bring cookies on Sundays.
And whenever Catherine worked late, Elaine watched Evelyn.
"She's still alive?" Evelyn whispered.
"Yes."
Her eyes filled.
"Where?"
"In a retirement community outside Milwaukee."
Vincent looked toward her.
"Would you like to visit?"
Evelyn nodded.
"Yes."
The following morning, they traveled together.
Elaine Dawson was eighty-two.
Her silver hair was neatly curled.
She sat beside a window overlooking a garden.
When she saw Evelyn, she began crying.
"Oh, sweetheart."
Evelyn rushed forward.
"Mrs. Dawson."
They embraced.
Elaine held her tightly.
"You look so much like your mother."
Evelyn smiled through tears.
"I missed you."
Elaine looked toward Vincent.
Her expression changed.
"Moretti."
Vincent nodded.
"Yes, ma'am."
She stared at him.
Then whispered:
"You finally came."
Vincent frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Elaine looked toward Evelyn.
"Your mother told me this day might come."
Evelyn's heart pounded.
"What day?"
"The day the Moretti family discovered the truth."
Vincent sat beside her.
"Please tell us what happened to Isabella."
Elaine closed her eyes.
For several seconds, she seemed to travel backward through time.
Then she began.
"Isabella Moretti came to Catherine's apartment twenty-six years ago."
Vincent leaned forward.
"Why?"
"She was frightened."
"Of whom?"
Elaine hesitated.
"Your father."
Vincent went still.
"My father?"
Elaine nodded.
"Isabella had discovered something about the family business."
Evelyn looked between them.
"What?"
Elaine's voice trembled.
"Illegal shipments. Stolen money. And records showing that innocent people had been harmed."
Vincent lowered his head.
His father had been ruthless.
He knew that.
But he'd never imagined Isabella had tried to expose him.
Elaine continued.
"Catherine agreed to help her."
"How?" Evelyn asked.
"She arranged a safe place for Isabella to stay."
Vincent leaned forward.
"Where?"
Elaine hesitated.
"She left Chicago."
"Where did she go?"
"That was kept secret."
Vincent's hands trembled.
"Is she alive?"
Elaine looked down.
"I don't know."
Silence filled the room.
Then Evelyn asked:
"Why did Mom never tell me?"
Elaine reached for her hand.
"Because Catherine was afraid the people looking for Isabella would harm you."
Evelyn's chest tightened.
All those years.
Her mother's fear.
The locked doors.
The sudden moves.
The way Catherine avoided questions about her past.
Now it made sense.
Elaine looked toward Vincent.
"There's something else you need to know."
He waited.
"Isabella didn't disappear alone."
Vincent froze.
"What?"
Elaine nodded.
"Someone went with her."
"Who?"
Elaine swallowed.
May you like
Then whispered:
"Your late wife, Sophia Moretti."
