Chapter 6
By afternoon, the foundation board was demanding answers.
The concert-hall altercation made everything worse.
Owen had already hired an attorney.
Bianca had sent photographs of her bruised face to Daniel Price with notice that she was considering a battery complaint.
Daniel met Vittorio at the townhouse.
“You’re temporarily stepping away from direct foundation decisions.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
Vittorio’s expression hardened.
Daniel did not move.
“You assaulted your sister at a charity event while now investigating her husband’s financial activity. If you personally run the investigation, every finding gets painted as retaliation.”
Vittorio knew he was right.
He hated that he was right.
“So what happens?”
“The board hires an outside forensic accountant and independent nonprofit counsel.”
“And Bianca?”
“Suspended from operational access if the board votes for it.”
“Owen?”
“Same.”
Vittorio looked toward the living room.
Nico was sitting with his occupational therapist trying to fit the broken wooden wing back into place.
The boy became frustrated and pushed the plane away.
“I don’t want it.”
Vittorio went to him.
“We can stop.”
Nico looked up.
“Why did Aunt Bee hate Mommy?”
The adults around him became quiet.
Vittorio crouched.
“I don’t know.”
“You said they were sisters.”
“Not sisters. Friends.”
Nico frowned.
“Were they friends?”
Vittorio could not answer.
That evening, the board voted to suspend Bianca and Owen from foundation operations pending review.
Three members opposed the decision.
One was Vittorio’s cousin Anthony.
Afterward Anthony called him.
“You’re blowing up Claire’s foundation over accounting mistakes.”
“Owen insulted Claire while his wife dragged my son out of his wheelchair.”
“That doesn’t prove theft.”
“No.”
“So get proof before you destroy people.”
The words stung because they were reasonable.
Vittorio had spent two days reacting.
Now he needed evidence.
Rachel agreed.
“I know what Claire believed. That isn’t enough.”
She started packing the archive box.
Vittorio noticed one folder had been opened but never discussed.
BLUE ROOM — ACCESSIBILITY PROJECT.
“What’s that?”
Rachel stopped.
For the first time that morning, she looked reluctant.
“It was Claire’s last project.”
Vittorio opened the folder.
The first page contained a renovation budget.
The second contained a photograph of Nico.
The third contained a handwritten note from Claire:
May you like
BIANCA SAYS CUT IT.
OWEN SAYS MONEY IS ALREADY GONE.
