Chapter 9
The brooch incident produced consequences separate from the financial investigation.
Several guests had witnessed Odessa search Mabel.
Others saw her grab the child afterward.
Video captured both.
Luciano’s strike against Grant and slap against Odessa were also visible.
His attorney advised him not to pretend the footage began only when other people behaved badly.
Luciano agreed.
He provided the complete recording.
That decision surprised Odessa.
“You’re willing to get yourself charged just to make a point?”
“No.”
Luciano looked at her.
“I’m willing to stop editing reality based on who I want protected.”
Odessa understood the reference.
For months she and Grant had done exactly that with the fund.
Then Mabel’s caregiver brought Luciano something unexpected.
A drawing.
Mabel had made it two weeks before the benefit.
Three figures stood beside a fencing strip.
Mabel.
Luciano.
Catherine, drawn with wings because Mabel had recently learned that was how another child represented a dead parent.
Behind them was a blue square.
“What’s this?”
Luciano asked.
“Mommy money.”
He looked at the caregiver.
She explained that Odessa had once told Mabel her mother “left money to help fencing kids.”
Mabel remembered.
That explained why she recognized the logo on the blue paper at the gala.
Not the words.
The photograph.
She picked it up because Catherine’s face was printed on it.
Luciano sat alone with the drawing afterward.
Odessa had framed Mabel because a four-year-old recognized her dead mother.
That detail made the entire scheme feel uglier.
Then Grant requested a private meeting.
Luciano refused unless attorneys attended.
Grant agreed.
At the meeting, he arrived with a single folder.
“You want the whole story?”
Luciano waited.
Grant placed the folder down.
“The first transfer wasn't my idea.”
Luciano looked at him.
Grant pushed the folder across the table.
On top was an email printed eleven months earlier.
May you like
Sender:
Luciano Moretti.
