Chapter 13
Adrian had his final opportunity three months later.
Prosecutors were interested in the false billing and financial misuse connected to the Arts Fund.
Adrian could fight.
Or cooperate.
He chose cooperation.
Not immediately.
Not nobly.
His lawyer showed him the evidence and explained what a jury would see.
Only then did Adrian stop behaving like loyalty required denial.
He provided records that helped identify money routed through the other two vendors.
Assets were recovered.
Some funds had been spent and would never come back.
Others were returned through restitution agreements.
Victoria also accepted responsibility for the false invoices connected to her company.
Her attorney negotiated separately.
Dante did not participate in deciding their criminal penalties.
He had spent enough of his life believing the Moretti family should determine everyone’s consequences.
The courts could do their job.
The Arts Fund’s independent board did theirs.
Maria surprised Dante by agreeing to serve temporarily as a community representative.
“I’m a housekeeper.”
“You ran Grace’s life more efficiently than half the executives ran her foundation.”
Maria frowned.
“That is not a qualification.”
“It’s more than they had.”
She eventually agreed only after Dante promised she could vote against him.
Especially against him.
Meanwhile Lily stopped asking why Victoria no longer came to dinner.
Then one evening she asked:
“Where piano lady?”
Dante sat beside her.
“She’s not coming back.”
“Why?”
He considered lying gently.
“She made choices that hurt people.”
Lily frowned.
“She hurt Mommy?”
The question caught him.
“Before Mommy died, she lied to her.”
Lily looked toward the piano room.
“Mommy song mad?”
Dante pulled her onto his lap.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Songs don’t belong to the people who lied about them.”
May you like
That seemed to satisfy her.
It also gave Dante an idea.
