Chapter 5 - the fire in the woods
Julian backed toward the door, but the heavy oak panel clicked open behind him.
Marco Bellaro, Victor’s grizzled fifty-eight-year-old capo and trusted uncle, stepped into the doorway, blocking the exit. Marco’s face was crisscrossed with old scars, his broad hands resting calmly inside his overcoat.
“Evening, Julian,” Marco growled.
Julian spun back toward Victor, his hands held up defensively. “Listen to me, Victor. You’re putting pieces together that don't fit! Yes, my firm handled the insurance claim on the cabin. Yes, Celeste wanted this marriage to secure her standing. But Silvio’s death was an ischemic stroke. The doctors confirmed it! Three different specialists signed the autopsy report!”
“Autopsy reports can be bought,” Victor said evenly. “Especially in counties where your father funds the district attorney’s reelection.”
“Then ask Clara!” Julian spat, his composure cracking into frantic desperation. “Ask your little maid why she really took the job here! She didn't come to deliver that birth certificate out of the goodness of her heart. Ask her how much money she demanded from Silvio the night before he collapsed!”
Victor’s eyes hardened. “What did you say?”
“Silvio cut a check for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars to Clara Hayes three days before he died,” Julian said, pointing an accusing finger at the floor. “Check the private estate ledger in the library safe. The wire went to an account in Clara’s name. If anyone was extorting the old man, it was her!”
Marco glanced at Victor, his brow furrowed with genuine concern. “Boss... that ledger is in Silvio’s private library. Only Silvio and Celeste had the combination.”
Victor felt a chill pass through him. He didn’t show it, keeping his face like stone.
“Marco,” Victor commanded. “Bring Clara to the library. Now.”
Ten minutes later, Clara stood in the center of the dark, cavernous library. The smell of centuries-old books hung thick in the air.
Victor pulled the thick leather-bound ledger from the open wall safe behind a portrait of his grandfather. He flipped through the crisp pages until he reached the final entries from six months ago.
There it was.
*October 4. Wire transfer to Clara M. Hayes. Amount: $250,000. Memo: Full and final settlement.*
Victor looked up from the page, his voice devoid of emotion. “Clara. Did you take two hundred and fifty thousand dollars from my father?”
Clara didn’t flinch. She met Victor’s gaze, her eyes clear and unyielding.
May you like
“Yes,” Clara said. “I did.”
***
