Chapter 9
Angelo’s duplicate was not in the family archive.
It was with his former attorney.
Stored in a sealed client box no one had opened since his death.
The brass key from the vase opened it.
Domenico held the key for several seconds before turning it.
Camilla stood beside him.
Marco remained across the room with counsel.
Inside was another cassette.
A complete copy.
And a letter addressed to Domenico.
He read the letter first.
Angelo wrote that he had failed Enzo.
He had believed Raffaele’s accusation too quickly.
By the time doubt set in, Enzo was dead.
Angelo began investigating quietly because exposing Raffaele without proof would fracture the family.
That delay became another failure.
Domenico’s jaw tightened as he read.
His father had spent years protecting stability over truth.
Exactly the kind of choice Domenico himself had made many times.
Then he played the tape.
The missing section returned.
Young Marco’s voice:
“My father told me to shut the loading door.”
The investigator:
“Why?”
“He said Enzo was going to run with the ledger.”
Camilla gripped the edge of the desk.
Marco closed his eyes.
The tape continued.
“I pulled it down.”
“Was Enzo inside?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know the lock would engage?”
“No.”
“Then what happened?”
“My father poured something.”
A breath.
“I smelled gas.”
Camilla whispered:
“No.”
The recording had not reached the end.
Domenico raised one hand.
Nobody spoke.
Young Marco continued:
“I told him Enzo was inside.”
The investigator asked:
“What did your father say?”
Static.
Then Raffaele’s son answered:
“He said that was the point.”
Camilla stepped backward.
Her knees struck the chair.
Domenico thought that was the worst of it.
Then the investigator asked one final question.
“Did you reopen the door?”
A long silence.
Young Marco began crying.
The answer came so quietly everyone leaned toward the recorder.
“No.”
May you like
Camilla stared at the man she had married.
But the tape still had thirty seconds left.
