Chapter 4: The Proof Marco Couldn’t Explain
Gabriel seized Marco’s wrist before his fingers touched the phone.
“You said Luca was de@d.”
“He is.
That recording could have been made by anyone.”
“My daughter knows that voice,” Claire said.
“So does Gabriel.”
Marco pulled free.
“A frightened child and a grieving brother are not evidence.”
On the screen, Luca continued speaking.
“Claire knew me as Luke Vale.
I lied about my surname because Marco had been watching everyone connected to Elena.”
Claire sank onto the sofa.
“Luke Vale.
That’s what he called himself.”
Gabriel faced Marco.
“Still a fairy tale?”
Marco pointed at the screen.
“Look carefully.
You cannot see the date clearly enough to verify it.”
Mia walked to the television.
“Daddy has my bracelet.”
A pink thread circled Luca’s wrist.
Claire touched the matching thread on Mia’s arm.
“She tied that around his wrist yesterday,” Claire whispered.
Marco grabbed the blue phone.
Gabriel drove his hand down onto the table.
The phone slid beneath a chair.
“Deputies!” Marco shouted.
“He ass@ulted me.”
The older deputy remained at the doorway.
“I saw you reach for potential evidence.”
Marco’s attorney stepped between them.
“This has gone far enough.”
“No,” Claire said.
“It started long before I arrived.”
Gabriel’s security chief, Daniel, entered carrying a sealed plastic bag.
“We searched Ruth’s hidden room.
Someone had already removed most of the files, but this was behind a loose baseboard.”
He placed an old cassette recorder on the table.
Marco laughed once.
“You expect anyone to believe an antique machine proves something?”
Daniel pressed play.
A younger Marco’s voice filled the room.
“Elena, sign the transfer and leave Chicago.”
Then Elena answered, clear and furious.
“You moved employees’ retirement money into companies you control.”
“You cannot prove that.”
“I copied every ledger.”
“You have until midnight.
After that, the lake will tell whatever story I give it.”
Nobody moved.
Marco’s attorney slowly stepped away from him.
Marco reached for the recorder, but the older deputy blocked him.
“That sounds like an explicit threat.”
“It is fabricated,” Marco snapped.
“Gabriel has wanted control of Valenti Holdings for years.”
Gabriel looked at the attorney.
“Who prepared the papers declaring Elena legally de@d?”
The attorney lowered his eyes.
“Marco brought them to my former partner.”
“And Luca?”
“The same office handled that filing.”
Marco’s face hardened.
“Say another word and your career ends.”
The attorney removed a Valenti company pin from his lapel and placed it on the table.
“My career may end.
I will not let yours continue this way.”
Marco backed toward the door.
“You think a damaged tape and a child’s story can touch me?
By morning, Gabriel will be removed as chief executive.
The board meeting is already scheduled.”
“You cannot call a board vote without notifying me,” Gabriel said.
“I notified your office three days ago.
Your assistant signed for it.”
Daniel checked his phone.
“Mr.
Valenti, your company access has just been suspended.”
Marco smiled again.
“You wanted the truth, Gabriel.
Now you can search for it without an office, a salary, or security.”
He stepped outside with his attorney hurrying after him.
The older deputy stayed behind.
“I cannot detain him from a recording alone.
Make copies of everything.”
The blue phone rang again.
Gabriel answered.
“Luca?”
A woman spoke instead.
“Gabriel, it’s Elena.”
His knees nearly gave way.
“Elena, where are you?”
“Ruth and Luca were moved ten minutes ago.
Marco has someone inside the sheriff’s department.”
The older deputy stiffened.
Elena’s voice dropped to a whisper.
“And Gabriel—your assistant didn’t betray you.”
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“Then who signed for that notice?”
“Our mother.”
