Chapter 3
Helena’s first explanation was insultingly simple.
“I protected you.”
Roman sat across from her in the library the next morning.
No capos.
No relatives.
Only Roman, Helena, and outside counsel Rebecca Sloan.
Helena had refused the family lawyer.
Roman considered that intelligent.
“From what?”
“Nora.”
Roman stared at her.
“She was twenty-two. Unstable. Frightened. Constantly threatening to take Sophie somewhere you couldn’t reach.”
Nora had been twenty-two.
That part was true.
She and Roman had fought bitterly after Sophie’s birth.
Roman’s world frightened her.
Roman’s absences angered her.
They had never married.
When Sophie turned one, Nora said she wanted a separate home.
Roman had agreed to fund it.
That was the last decision he remembered making before everything went wrong.
Helena continued.
“She wanted out.”
“So you told her I died?”
“I told her what was necessary.”
Rebecca stopped writing.
Roman’s voice lowered.
“You fabricated my death.”
“I prevented a custody war.”
“You stole my money.”
“I redirected it.”
“To where?”
Helena looked at Rebecca.
“I will discuss financial matters with family counsel.”
Rebecca said calmly, “I represent Roman personally.”
Helena’s mouth tightened.
Roman leaned forward.
“My daughter lived in a motel.”
Helena’s expression flickered.
Only once.
“I didn’t know that.”
Roman believed she might be telling the truth.
That did not help her.
“You controlled the account.”
“I controlled distributions.”
“Then where did the money go?”
“Security.”
“For who?”
Helena did not answer.
Roman noticed something.
When he spoke about Nora, Helena was defensive.
When he spoke about the money, she became careful.
Different fear.
Different problem.
Rebecca asked:
“Did Nora ever sign an agreement refusing support?”
Helena looked at her.
“No.”
“Did she ever authorize your office to manage funds for Sophie?”
“No.”
“Did Roman?”
“Yes.”
Rebecca shook her head.
“Not like this.”
Helena stood.
“I will not be interrogated in my brother’s house.”
Roman looked up.
“My father has been dead fourteen years.”
Helena stopped.
“This is my house.”
Silence.
Roman continued.
“And until I know where one point eight million dollars intended for my child went, you do not leave it.”
Helena turned toward him.
“You would imprison your own mother?”
“No.”
He looked at Rebecca.
“She can leave whenever her lawyer advises her to.”
Helena relaxed slightly.
Roman finished.
“But she leaves without access to a single D’Angelo account, employee, vehicle, or property.”
The relief disappeared.
May you like
Helena had expected family power to protect her.
Roman had just made the first cut.
