Chapter 3 - The Man Who Ordered the Funeral
At 6:03 a.m., Carmine Rossi announced Gabriel Falcone’s death to the family.
Matilda watched the broadcast from a private clinic thirty miles outside Chicago.
Carmine stood in Gabriel’s library.
“My brother in everything but blood died tonight.”
Matilda almost threw the remote.
“Liar.”
Behind her, Evelyn worked beside Gabriel’s bed.
His temperature was slowly rising.
Dr. Mercer studied blood samples.
Victor guarded the door.
Carmine continued.
“Until permanent arrangements are made, I will ensure stability within the Falcone organization.”
Victor laughed bitterly.
“Permanent arrangements. There it is.”
Mercer looked up from the microscope.
“I found something.”
Everyone turned.
He held up a vial.
“A neuromuscular suppressant.”
Evelyn stared at him.
“In Gabriel’s blood?”
“Yes.”
“Enough to simulate death?”
“With severe blood loss, absolutely.”
Matilda’s face hardened.
“So someone drugged him.”
Mercer nodded.
“And the cold room?”
Evelyn answered.
“Would’ve ensured he never recovered.”
Victor swore.
Matilda stared at Gabriel.
This wasn’t a medical mistake.
It was an execution disguised as death.
Suddenly Gabriel coughed.
Everyone froze.
His chest tightened.
Evelyn moved immediately.
“Gabriel?”
His eyelids fluttered.
Matilda stepped closer.
“Mr. Falcone?”
His eyes opened.
Dark.
Confused.
Dangerous.
His hand suddenly closed around Matilda’s wrist.
Victor stepped forward.
“Boss.”
Gabriel tried to sit up.
Evelyn pushed him down.
“Absolutely not.”
His voice was barely audible.
“Where?”
“Private clinic.”
Gabriel looked at Victor.
“Carmine?”
Victor answered.
“He announced your death.”
Something changed in Gabriel’s face.
Not shock.
Recognition.
“He moved quickly.”
Matilda stared at him.
“You knew?”
Gabriel looked toward her.
“Who are you?”
“Matilda Higgins.”
His eyes narrowed.
“The maid.”
“Yes.”
“The foyer.”
She blinked.
“You remember?”
“I remember everything in my house.”
His eyes dropped toward her hand still trapped beneath his.
Gabriel released her.
“Why are you here?”
Matilda crossed her arms.
“Because apparently everyone important was busy trying to bury you.”
Victor laughed.
Gabriel almost smiled.
Then pain crossed his face.
Evelyn checked his monitors.
“You need rest.”
Gabriel ignored her.
“Phone.”
“No.”
“Evelyn.”
“You were clinically indistinguishable from dead six hours ago.”
“Phone.”
Matilda picked it up.
Everyone looked at her.
She placed it out of Gabriel’s reach.
“No.”
Silence.
Victor slowly turned away, hiding a smile.
Gabriel stared at Matilda.
“Excuse me?”
“You can barely lift your head.”
“I run—”
“Nothing right now.”
Matilda pointed at the bed.
“Carmine thinks you’re dead. That is the only advantage we have. The moment you call somebody, we lose it.”
Gabriel stared at her for several seconds.
Then looked at Victor.
“She always talk to people like this?”
Victor shrugged.
“Apparently only dead billionaires.”
Gabriel looked back at Matilda.
“What do you suggest?”
Nobody in the room expected that question.
Least of all Matilda.
She hesitated.
“Let Carmine believe he won.”
Gabriel’s expression sharpened.
“Continue.”
“He’s moving too fast. People who think they’ve won get careless.”
Gabriel slowly nodded.
“Victor.”
“Yes?”
“Tell nobody.”
“Understood.”
“Mercer?”
The doctor swallowed.
“I’ll maintain the death certificate.”
Gabriel looked at Evelyn.
“Keep me alive.”
Then finally Matilda.
“And you.”
“Yes?”
“You’re coming back to the estate.”
Matilda stared at him.
“I just stole your corpse from it.”
“Exactly.”
His eyes became cold.
“Carmine overlooks you.”
Matilda understood.
“You want me to spy on him.”
“No.”
Gabriel’s voice strengthened.
May you like
“I want you to let him underestimate you.”
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