Chapter 6 - THE WIFE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Vincent Moretti had spent fourteen months grieving his wife.
Sophia had died in a car accident.
The police called it tragic.
Unavoidable.
A terrible collision on a rain-soaked highway.
Vincent had believed them.
Now an elderly woman was telling him Sophia had once helped his missing sister escape.
He stared at Elaine Dawson.
"Sophia?"
Elaine nodded.
"Yes."
Vincent looked confused.
"Twenty-six years ago, Sophia was only nineteen."
Elaine smiled sadly.
"Old enough to be brave."
Evelyn watched his expression change.
For the first time, the feared mafia boss looked like a man who no longer knew his own life.
"How did Sophia know Isabella?" he asked.
Elaine took a breath.
"They were friends."
Vincent stared.
"Before Sophia met me?"
"Yes."
He looked down.
Sophia had never mentioned knowing Isabella.
Not once.
Even after they married.
Even when Vincent told her how much he missed his sister.
Why?
Elaine continued.
"Your sister discovered evidence connected to your father's business."
Vincent's jaw tightened.
"She tried to report it?"
Elaine nodded.
"Yes."
"And Sophia helped her?"
"She arranged transportation."
Evelyn leaned forward.
"Where did Isabella go?"
Elaine shook her head.
"I was never told."
Then she added:
"But Catherine kept a letter."
Evelyn stopped breathing.
"A letter?"
Elaine nodded.
"She hid it in your old apartment."
Evelyn frowned.
"The building was sold years ago."
"I know."
Elaine looked toward Vincent.
"But your mother marked the location."
Evelyn stared.
"My mother?"
Elaine shook her head.
"Catherine."
She smiled sadly.
"She knew you would eventually need to find it."
Elaine described a small wooden panel beneath the kitchen sink.
A place Catherine used to hide emergency cash.
Evelyn remembered it.
As a child, she'd once watched her mother remove a screwdriver from the drawer and open the panel.
Catherine had told her:
"Never forget where the safe place is."
Evelyn had assumed she meant the money.
Now she understood.
They contacted the current property owner, who agreed to allow an inspection.
Inside the old apartment, Evelyn felt memories rush back.
The tiny kitchen.
The narrow hallway.
The window where her mother kept plants.
She crouched beneath the sink.
The panel was still there.
Her fingers trembled as she removed it.
Inside was a small metal box.
Dust covered the lid.
Vincent helped her lift it.
They opened it carefully.
Inside were photographs.
Financial documents.
And a letter addressed to Vincent Moretti.
He unfolded it.
The handwriting belonged to Sophia.
Vincent,
If you're reading this, then Catherine has finally found a way to bring you the truth.
I knew Isabella before I met you.
She was my friend.
And I helped her escape because your father intended to silence her.
Vincent stopped breathing.
He continued.
I wanted to tell you, but Isabella begged me to protect her location.
I believed I could keep everyone safe by staying silent.
I was wrong.
A tear rolled down Vincent's cheek.
Then he read the final paragraph.
There is one person you should never trust.
She has been inside your household for years.
She knows where Isabella went.
Vincent looked toward Evelyn.
His face was pale.
May you like
Then he read the name.
Margaret Sloane.
