Chapter 5 - the tape in the dark
By two o'clock the following morning, a heavy rainstorm rolled off Lake Michigan, hammering against the high glass windows of the estate.
While Baby Leo slept peacefully in his crib, Clara walked through the nursery suite, inspecting the adjoining storage wardrobe to organize Leo's fresh clothes. Behind a stack of plush blankets on the top shelf, her fingers brushed against a small wooden box bound with a silver latch.
She brought the box to Dominic, who was sitting at the nursery desk reviewing security logs.
"Dominic... I found this hidden in the back of the wardrobe," Clara said gently.
Dominic took the wooden box, opening the latch. Inside lay three old audio cassette tapes labeled in delicate, sweeping handwriting—the handwriting of his late wife, Elena.
Dominic inserted the first tape into a desktop recorder, pressing play.
Elena's soft voice filled the quiet nursery:
"Dominic... if you are listening to this, it means Marcus Vance has made his move. Before I went into labor, I discovered that Vance had bribed someone inside our High Council. They are planning to use an insider to tamper with our newborn's medical care..."
Dominic's eyes narrowed into twin points of burning fire. "Elena knew before she died..."
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The tape continued: "The manager of Bellavita, Marco Bellini, owes five hundred thousand dollars in gambling debts to Vance's syndicate. He is the bridge between Vance and our security detail..."
Dominic stood up from his chair, his dark suit jacket snapping as he buttoned it over his chest. "Dante! Bring Marco Bellini to the study."
