Chapter 8
Rocco’s attorneys separated the problems.
The attack at the reception.
The earlier fall.
The financial misuse of Moretti connections.
Audrey’s marriage.
They would not all produce the same evidence or consequences.
That frustrated Rocco.
Reality did not care.
Meanwhile, investigators interviewed event staff from the night of the winter-garden attack.
Several people heard Brenda threatening Audrey earlier in the evening.
One server remembered Preston pulling Brenda aside.
The server could not hear the entire conversation.
Only:
“Not here.”
Brenda replied:
“Then when?”
That did not prove a plan.
It established tension.
More useful was Gary.
He finally explained what happened before he shouted.
He had overheard Brenda tell Preston in a service corridor:
“I’m not waiting another three months.”
Preston answered:
“We already tried your way.”
Gary followed them into the pavilion because he realized they were discussing Audrey.
Then Brenda attacked.
Rocco asked:
“Why didn't you warn Audrey before?”
Gary looked ashamed.
“I thought they were talking about business.”
“After the first fall?”
Gary said nothing.
There was no good answer.
His silence had become its own betrayal.
Yet Gary’s cooperation now mattered.
Rocco had to hold two truths at once.
Gary failed Audrey.
Gary was also the person whose panic stopped Brenda from hiding the first attempt forever.
Families rarely divided cleanly into innocent and guilty.
That evening Audrey asked Rocco:
“Do you hate Gary?”
“Yes.”
She almost smiled.
“At least you're consistent.”
Then she became serious.
“I don't.”
Rocco looked at her.
“I’m angry.”
“That’s different?”
“For me.”
She placed a hand against her stomach.
“If he had stayed quiet for five more seconds, I don't know what Brenda would've done.”
May you like
Rocco did.
He chose not to say it.
