Chapter 4 - The Secret Samuel Left Behind
We returned to Boston by a route Brendan changed three times.
Tessa sat beside me in the back seat.
She had barely spoken.
Finally, I said, “What's in the suitcase?”
“Clothes.”
“Tessa.”
“And documents.”
“What documents?”
She sighed.
“You're exhausting.”
“So I've been told.”
“Frequently?”
“Mostly immediately before people disappear.”
She stared at me.
I realized how that sounded.
“That was a joke.”
“You should stop making those.”
“Probably.”
For the first time in four years, Tessa laughed.
It lasted less than a second.
But I heard it.
When we reached the mansion, security surrounded the property.
Nobody had been hurt.
The intruder had entered through the servants' wing and left before my men arrived.
Tessa's old room had been destroyed.
Mattress cut open.
Drawers broken.
Lavender plant smashed.
Tessa knelt beside it.
“That was unnecessary.”
I watched her gather the spilled soil.
“You're upset about the plant?”
“It didn't do anything.”
Something about that sentence hit harder than it should have.
I crouched beside her.
“Tessa.”
She looked at me.
“Show me what Samuel left.”
We went to my study.
Brendan locked the doors.
Tessa opened her suitcase.
Inside was a thick envelope and a small digital recorder.
“My father put these in the bank.”
She handed me the envelope.
Financial records.
Photographs.
Copies of payments.
Names.
Victor had been selling confidential information to rival organizations for years.
Then I saw something else.
A signed transfer.
My father's signature.
Except it wasn't his signature.
“This is forged.”
“Yes.”
Tessa pointed to a second document.
“Victor was preparing to seize control of several companies before your father died.”
My jaw tightened.
“My father died of a heart attack.”
Tessa said nothing.
I looked at her.
“What?”
“My father wasn't sure.”
“Tessa.”
“He found payments to one of your father's nurses.”
The room went still.
Brendan stepped closer.
“Luca…”
I raised a hand.
“Play the recorder.”
Tessa pressed the button.
Static.
Then Samuel's voice filled the room.
If you're hearing this, I wasn't able to finish what I started.
Tessa closed her eyes.
It had probably been years since she heard her father's voice.
The recording continued.
Victor believes loyalty can be purchased. He's wrong. It can only be tested.
Papers rustled.
I have enough evidence to prove the theft. I'm less certain about Carlo Moretti's death. Do not accuse Victor without proof.
Then Samuel said something that made me look at Tessa.
If something happens to me, Tessa, don't avenge me.
Her breathing stopped.
Live.
A long silence followed.
And if you need somewhere safe, go to Luca.
My throat tightened.
He's harder than his father. Too hard sometimes. But he keeps his word.
The recording ended.
Nobody spoke.
Finally, Tessa reached for the recorder.
I caught her hand.
“I'm sorry.”
“For what?”
“Your father trusted me.”
“He trusted your character. He didn't expect you to predict the future.”
“He died after coming to me.”
“And you've punished yourself for six years.”
She pulled her hand away.
“That isn't justice.”
I studied her.
“When did you become brave enough to lecture me?”
“Approximately forty minutes after resigning.”
Brendan looked away again.
Smart man.
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
“Luca.”
Victor's voice.
Six years had changed it, but not enough.
“Nephew.”
Tessa went rigid.
“Where are you?”
Victor laughed.
“You always ask the least interesting question first.”
“What do you want?”
“Samuel's records.”
“No.”
“Then perhaps you'd like to know why Tessa worked in your house for four years.”
I looked at her.
“I already know.”
“Do you?”
Victor paused.
“Ask her what happened the night Samuel died.”
Tessa's face changed.
Victor heard my silence.
“She never told you?”
“What happened?”
“Ask her.”
The call ended.
I lowered the phone.
Tessa stood perfectly still.
“What happened that night?”
She whispered, “Luca…”
“What didn't you tell me?”
Her eyes met mine.
“My father wasn't alone in the car.”
My blood went cold.
“Who was with him?”
May you like
“Me.”
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