Chapter 6: Elena’s Voice
Dominic ran for the back door.
Reid caught him before he reached the porch.
The cash box struck the floor and opened, scattering papers across the kitchen tiles.
Vanessa dropped to her knees.
“Those belong to me.”
Emily picked up a small recorder.
“No,” she said.
“They belonged to my mother.”
Dominic struggled against Reid.
“Vanessa told me the house was empty.”
Vanessa snapped her head toward him.
“Be quiet.”
“You said Luca had signed everything.”
“I said be quiet.”
One officer took Dominic’s access card and placed him in restraints.
The other gathered the documents while Mrs.
Russo photographed each page.
Luca pointed to the recorder.
“Can it still play?”
Michael pressed the power button.
A green light appeared, followed by Elena’s voice.
“If Emily is hearing this, then someone found the cabinet.”
Emily gripped Michael’s arm.
“Elena,” Luca whispered.
The recording continued.
“Dominic Bellini transferred money from the children’s medical fund into three shell companies.
His sister, Vanessa, delivered papers carrying Luca’s copied signature.”
Vanessa surged forward.
“That woman was confused.”
Mrs.
Russo blocked her.
“I witnessed Elena record this.
She was clear, and her doctor signed a statement confirming it.”
Elena’s voice filled the kitchen again.
“Luca did not take the money.
But when I asked him to investigate, he told me to rest and let him handle it.
He never understood that being dismissed by the man I loved hurt almost as much as the theft.”
Luca lowered his head.
Emily’s tears slid onto her coat.
“I did that to her.”
“You failed to listen,” Mrs.
Russo said.
“Do not fail again by turning away from what she left.”
Michael handed Luca the recorder.
Elena’s voice softened.
“Luca, if you hear this, I was not planning to leave because I stopped loving you.
I prepared the papers because I was afraid your world would swallow Emily after I was gone.
I needed the house and my remaining accounts beyond anyone else’s reach.”
Luca covered his eyes.
Emily stepped toward him, then stopped.
“Mom thought she had to protect me from you.”
“Yes,” he said.
“And I gave her reasons.”
Vanessa rose with one page hidden beneath her hand.
I saw the movement and caught her wrist.
“What are you holding?”
“Let go of me.”
She drove her shoulder into mine and reached toward the stove flame beneath a warming kettle.
Luca seized the paper before it touched the fire.
It was a list of accounts bearing Vanessa’s signature.
One officer took it.
“This is evidence now.”
Vanessa looked at me.
“Your mother’s house will be sold before the month ends.”
My grip loosened.
“What did you do?”
“I bought the tax lien through one of my companies.
Help me leave, and I cancel it.”
My knees almost gave way.
I pictured my mother standing on the porch with nowhere to go.
Luca moved toward me.
“Claire, look at me.”
“She’ll lose the house.”
“No,” Mrs.
Russo said.
She took the paper from the officer and studied the company name.
“Vanessa cannot enforce a lien purchased with diverted funds while those funds are under investigation.”
Vanessa laughed.
“You’re retired.”
Mrs.
Russo took out her phone.
“My daughter is the state’s deputy attorney general.”
For the first time, Vanessa looked afraid.
Mrs.
Russo put the call on speaker.
“Mother?” a woman answered.
“Grace, I have Elena Moretti’s original ledger, a recorded statement, two attempted property transfers, and Vanessa Bellini standing in front of me.”
There was a pause.
“Do not let anyone leave.”
Dominic sagged against the wall.
Vanessa’s eyes moved to the open back door.
Then she grabbed Emily and pressed the brass key against her throat.
May you like
“Everyone step back,” she said.
“Or the pregnant girl falls down those stairs.”
