Chapter 4 - The Brother Who Tried to Stop Them
Evan Bennett was released two days later pending further investigation.
He came to the hospital under police escort.
When he saw me, he stopped.
“I didn’t hurt her.”
“I know.”
His eyes were red.
“I tried.”
“I know that too.”
“Is she alive?”
“Yes.”
“The baby?”
I said nothing.
Evan covered his mouth.
“No.”
I looked away.
“He didn’t make it.”
Evan collapsed into a chair.
“I should’ve done more.”
“You were one man against eight.”
“She was my sister.”
“And you tried.”
He looked up.
“You don’t understand.”
“Then explain.”
Evan wiped his face.
“Dad had debts.”
“What kind?”
“Gambling. Loans. Bad investments.”
“How much?”
“Maybe fifteen million.”
I frowned.
Walter had demanded two million from Clara.
“Who did he owe?”
“I don’t know.”
“Think.”
Evan hesitated.
“A man named Russo.”
I froze.
“First name?”
“Vincent.”
My phone was already in my hand.
Vincent answered.
“Boss?”
“Do you know Walter Bennett?”
Silence.
“Vincent.”
“Yes.”
My voice went cold.
“How?”
“He borrowed money through one of our private lenders.”
“How much?”
“Twelve million.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
“I didn’t know he was Mrs. Moretti’s father when the original loan was approved.”
“After you knew?”
“I ordered collections suspended.”
Evan stared at me.
I turned away.
“Did Walter know the lender belonged to me?”
“No.”
Suddenly everything made sense.
Walter had attacked Clara trying to force her to obtain money from me—to pay a debt he unknowingly owed to my own organization.
The irony was almost unbelievable.
“Cancel the debt.”
Vincent went quiet.
“Boss?”
“Cancel it.”
“That’s twelve million dollars.”
“I know how numbers work.”
“Yes, boss.”
“And send the records to Detective Collins.”
“All of them?”
“All.”
“That exposes our financial structure.”
“Then restructure it.”
I ended the call.
Evan stared at me.
“You just erased twelve million dollars?”
“No.”
“What do you mean?”
“I removed the excuse your father will eventually use to claim this was about debt.”
Evan slowly understood.
“You want him prosecuted.”
“Yes.”
“You could make him disappear.”
“Yes.”
“But you won’t.”
I looked through the ICU window.
“I made a promise.”
Evan nodded.
“To Clara.”
“To my wife.”
The door opened.
Clara was awake.
She saw Evan.
For several seconds, neither sibling spoke.
Then Evan entered.
“I’m sorry.”
Clara started crying.
“So am I.”
“I tried to stop them.”
“I remember.”
He approached carefully.
“I should’ve gotten you out.”
“You were trying.”
“I failed.”
“No.”
Clara reached for his hand.
“You stayed when everyone else chose Dad.”
Evan broke down.
I quietly left the room.
Detective Collins was waiting outside.
“You gave us interesting financial records.”
“I assume your department appreciates paperwork.”
“You realize some of those records create questions about you.”
“I do.”
“Why give them to us?”
I looked through the glass.
“Because Walter Bennett spent his entire life believing power meant never facing consequences.”
“And what do you think power means?”
I watched Clara hold her brother’s hand.
“Having the ability to destroy someone and choosing justice instead.”
Collins studied me.
May you like
“That almost sounded respectable.”
“Don’t spread it around.”
