Chapter 16 - HIS MOTHER'S VOICE
The recording began with static.
Then:
“Roman.”
My husband stopped breathing.
I had never heard Isabella Vascari’s voice.
Warm.
Low.
Tired.
“If Sophia gives you this, then either I have failed or you have become wiser than the men who raised you.”
Roman looked down.
Isabella continued.
“I hope it is the second.”
She explained that Martin Devereux had been the family lawyer since before Roman was born.
He did more than hide crimes.
He manufactured dependency.
He encouraged Roman’s father, Salvatore, to keep Carlo close.
Encouraged Carlo to borrow.
To steal.
To compromise officials.
Then solved every crisis.
For a price.
“Martin does not serve this family,” Isabella said.
“He survives through it.”
Roman’s expression changed.
The tape continued.
Salvatore had discovered Halsted Freight’s chained exits three days before the fire.
He ordered them opened.
Someone changed the order.
After the fire, Devereux convinced Salvatore that admitting negligence would destroy the company and send employees to prison.
He arranged settlements.
He told the families the Vascaris would retaliate if anyone spoke publicly.
Salvatore never knew.
Leah began crying silently.
Her entire childhood had been built around a lie.
Then Isabella said:
“Angelo Moretti came to me because he had proof.”
Leah covered her mouth.
Angelo had survived the initial fire.
Smoke inhalation.
Burns.
He died eighteen days later from complications.
Before his death, he told Isabella someone had deliberately chained the doors again after the inspector left.
He had seen the man.
A Devereux employee.
The tape crackled.
Roman whispered:
“My father didn’t kill him.”
“No,” Leah said.
The hatred in her voice had nowhere to go.
Then Isabella’s voice changed.
“If something happens to me, do not avenge me.”
Roman closed his eyes.
“You will want to.”
A sad laugh.
“You are your father’s son.”
Roman almost broke.
“But revenge is another inheritance. Refuse it.”
I looked at him.
His hands were shaking.
Then came the final sentence.
“There is one person Martin fears more than me.”
Static.
A pause.
“His daughter.”
The tape ended.
Agent Hall frowned.
“Martin Devereux has no daughter.”
Sophia whispered:
“Yes, he does.”
Roman looked at her.
“Who?”
Sophia’s answer changed everything.
May you like
“Rebecca Hall.”
Agent Hall went completely still.
