Chapter 2 - Nine Phones Ringing
Detective Sarah Collins approached me.
“Mr. Moretti?”
“Yes.”
“I need to speak with you.”
Walter immediately interrupted.
“This is a family matter.”
Collins turned.
“A pregnant woman is in intensive care.”
“She’s my daughter.”
“That doesn’t make assault a family matter.”
Michael stepped forward.
“You don’t understand what happened.”
“Then explain it downtown.”
Walter looked at me.
“You called them?”
“No.”
“Then why are they here?”
“Because the hospital did what you apparently forgot decent people do when someone is nearly killed.”
Collins studied me.
“You’re surprisingly calm.”
“I’m standing ten feet from my wife’s ICU room. Calm is the only thing keeping this hallway quiet.”
She understood.
“Can we speak privately?”
I nodded.
Inside an empty consultation room, Collins placed a recorder on the table.
“We already have preliminary statements from hospital staff.”
“What do you need from me?”
“History.”
I leaned back.
“Walter controlled Clara’s life. Her brothers enforced his decisions.”
“Physically?”
“Clara never told me they had attacked her before.”
“Did she fear them?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Walter believed daughters were property.”
Collins paused.
“And you?”
“What about me?”
“He didn’t know who you were?”
“He knew what Clara knew.”
“A businessman.”
“Yes.”
She stared at me.
“Are you?”
“Yes.”
“That wasn’t the whole answer.”
“No.”
Before she could continue, someone knocked.
A nurse entered.
“Mr. Moretti?”
I stood immediately.
“Your wife is awake.”
Everything else stopped mattering.
I entered Clara’s room alone.
Her eyes opened slowly.
When she saw me, tears formed instantly.
“Adrian.”
“I’m here.”
She tried to move.
“Don’t.”
“My baby.”
I lowered my head.
She knew.
“Adrian…”
I pressed my forehead against her hand.
“I’m sorry.”
“No.”
Her voice cracked.
“I tried.”
“I know.”
“I protected him.”
“I know.”
“They kept—”
“You don’t have to explain anything tonight.”
Her eyes suddenly widened.
“My father.”
“He’s outside.”
Fear flashed across her face.
“Don’t let him come in.”
“He won’t.”
“My brothers?”
“With him.”
She gripped my hand.
“Adrian, don’t do anything.”
I knew what she meant.
She knew more about my world than she admitted.
“Look at me.”
She did.
“They’re alive.”
Her breathing steadied slightly.
“And they will remain alive.”
She searched my face.
“What did you do?”
“I sent one message.”
“Oh God.”
“They lost access to everything my organization was quietly keeping alive.”
“What does that mean?”
“Contracts. Protection arrangements. financing channels. business partnerships.”
“You controlled all that?”
“Indirectly.”
Clara stared at me.
“How much haven’t you told me?”
“Enough that we’re going to have a very difficult conversation when you’re stronger.”
A weak laugh escaped her, followed immediately by pain.
“Don’t make me laugh.”
“Sorry.”
She closed her eyes.
Then whispered, “They killed our son.”
My composure nearly disappeared.
“Yes.”
“Promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“Don’t become them.”
I stared at her.
She squeezed my hand.
“Please.”
I kissed her forehead.
“I promise.”
Outside, Walter was shouting.
“You can’t arrest all of us!”
Detective Collins answered calmly.
“Actually, we can.”
Clara looked toward the door.
“Are they being arrested?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
I almost smiled.
“That sounded remarkably unlike forgiveness.”
“I didn’t ask you to forgive them.”
Her eyes opened.
May you like
“I asked you not to become them.”
That distinction would change everything.
