Chapter 3
Adrian removed his wristwatch.
His fingers trembled while he worked the clasp.
Raffaele watched without helping.
Not because he was impatient.
Because the boy needed control over at least one thing in the room.
Adrian pressed the side of the watch.
A tiny memory card slid from beneath the band.
Grant swore under his breath.
Raffaele heard it.
So did Vanessa.
She looked sharply at her brother.
“What did you put on that?”
Adrian’s eyes moved toward her.
“You don't know?”
The question changed her expression.
For the first time, Raffaele saw uncertainty instead of arrogance.
Adrian had photographed the helmet boxes.
Labels.
Shipping invoices.
Inventory sheets.
One picture showed Grant standing beside an open carton filled with uncertified helmets.
Another showed stacks of premium safety gear listed on the charity inventory but physically missing from storage.
Raffaele enlarged the invoice.
Supplier:
Cole Performance Safety.
Grant’s company.
Raffaele looked at him.
“You sold the charity helmets.”
Grant’s jaw tightened.
“I supplied equipment.”
“The invoice says premium certified units.”
“That’s what they are.”
Adrian pointed toward the screen.
“Those aren't the same helmets.”
Grant’s eyes flashed.
“You’re twelve.”
Adrian flinched.
Raffaele’s voice cut quietly through the room.
“And apparently twelve was old enough to notice what adults were being paid not to.”
Nobody spoke.
Raffaele asked his security director to lock the equipment inventory.
Vanessa stepped forward.
“You’re treating Grant like a thief because Adrian thinks two helmets look different.”
Raffaele watched her.
“Why are you defending him before the audit starts?”
Her lips pressed together.
A long pause.
Then she answered.
“Because I know what you do when you decide someone betrayed you.”
Raffaele’s eyes stayed on hers.
Her breathing slowed deliberately.
She was trying to regain control.
“I’m asking you not to destroy my brother over a child’s theory.”
Adrian lowered his eyes.
Raffaele noticed.
He turned back toward the boy.
“You did exactly what you were supposed to do.”
Adrian looked up.
Something behind his eyes loosened.
Then the inventory director entered.
He carried two helmets.
One premium.
One from Grant’s cartons.
“Boss.”
Raffaele looked at him.
“They're not the same.”
Grant’s confidence finally cracked.
The director placed both helmets on the table.
“The second model doesn't carry the certification shown on the invoice.”
Raffaele’s gaze dropped to the cheaper helmet.
Then the director added:
“And we checked the old rally archive.”
His voice became quieter.
“The helmet Luca Moretti wore the day he died came from the same supplier.”
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Raffaele saw it.
May you like
Not confusion.
Recognition.
