Chapter 7
The project was running more than sixty million dollars over budget.
Hale Hospitality had concealed part of the shortfall through short-term loans and delayed contractor payments.
Nothing automatically criminal.
But deeply dangerous.
If Marconi Capital signed the revised guarantee, much of the exposure would move to Giulietta’s side.
Warren had not merely wanted a favorable business term.
He needed someone else under the debt before lenders lost patience.
Daniel looked furious.
“They were using the wedding to make you less likely to walk away.”
“Could the deal still work?”
“Not on these terms.”
“Could Warren save it without us?”
“Maybe. But he’d lose control of most of the project.”
That explained motive.
Not assault.
Naomi kept separating those things.
“Financial desperation explains why Warren wanted leverage.”
“It doesn’t prove he told Preston to threaten me.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Naomi looked at her.
“Yes. That’s why I keep saying it.”
Giulietta exhaled.
She was accustomed to giving an order and seeing movement.
Evidence did not move faster because she was angry.
Later that day, Preston requested another meeting through counsel.
This one concerned the criminal case.
His attorney wanted a proffer conversation with prosecutors.
Preston was considering cooperation.
“With whom?” Giulietta asked.
Naomi understood the real question.
“Against Warren, presumably.”
Giulietta felt no satisfaction.
A son turning on his father did not make the son innocent.
Preston had locked the door.
Preston had raised the club.
Preston had swung it.
No childhood explanation would move those facts.
Naomi said, “If he cooperates, he may explain what Warren expected to happen in that room.”
Giulietta looked at the abandoned engagement ring, now sealed in an evidence-property bag after police photographed it where she had left it.
“What happens if he says Warren ordered everything?”
“That becomes evidence.”
“And if he says he acted alone?”
“That also becomes evidence.”
Giulietta nodded.
May you like
She could accept either truth.
What she would not accept anymore was a family deciding truth according to which version protected the most powerful man.
