Chapter 4 - Dinner With the Man Who Killed My Husband
The old Moretti hotel had been closed for renovations for eight months.
At eleven that night, every window was dark except the penthouse.
Nicholas hated my plan.
He reminded me of this approximately fourteen times.
“You stay in the car.”
“No.”
“Claire.”
“No.”
“This man tried to kill me.”
“And watched me for months.”
“That is exactly my point.”
“And exactly mine.”
Marco leaned between the seats.
“I’m going to say something dangerous.”
Nicholas looked at him.
“What?”
“She has a point.”
“Get out.”
Marco smiled.
“Gladly.”
The plan was simple.
I would enter carrying the files.
Nicholas and Marco would follow through a service entrance.
Police had anonymously received copies of the evidence twenty minutes earlier.
Victor had spent years protecting himself from accusations.
Financial records were different.
So were conspiracy charges.
I entered the penthouse alone.
Victor Moretti stood beside the windows.
Gray hair.
Expensive suit.
The same warm smile he had worn at Nicholas’s funeral.
“Claire.”
“Victor.”
“You look well.”
“You look disappointing.”
His smile faded.
“You were always sharper than Nicholas realized.”
“No. Nicholas knew exactly who I was.”
“Then why didn't he trust you?”
That hit its target.
Victor saw it.
“He let you mourn him.”
“He protected me.”
“Is that what you're calling it?”
I placed the case on the table.
“You wanted the files.”
Victor approached.
“Where is Nicholas?”
“Dead.”
He laughed.
“Try again.”
A voice came from behind him.
“She doesn't need to.”
Nicholas stepped from the hallway.
Victor froze.
For the first time, I saw fear in his eyes.
Nicholas walked toward us.
“You wanted me?”
Victor recovered quickly.
“I wanted the family.”
“You could've asked.”
“You would've said no.”
“Correct.”
Victor glanced toward the exits.
Nicholas noticed.
“Your men aren't coming.”
“What did you do?”
“Marco offered them a choice.”
“And?”
Marco appeared behind Nicholas.
“They chose continued employment.”
Victor’s face darkened.
“You think this ends because you found paperwork?”
Nicholas shook his head.
“No.”
Sirens became audible outside.
“It ends because Claire sent copies to federal investigators.”
Victor looked at me.
“You?”
“Yes.”
His face twisted.
“You stupid little waitress.”
Nicholas moved.
I caught his arm.
“No.”
He looked at me.
I shook my head.
“He wants you angry.”
Victor laughed.
“Listen to your wife, Nicholas.”
I looked at Victor.
“She stopped you from making one more mistake.”
The elevator doors opened.
Investigators entered with officers behind them.
Victor stared at Nicholas.
“You're letting police take me?”
Nicholas answered calmly.
“No.”
He looked at me.
“My wife is.”
As Victor was led away, he stopped beside me.
“He'll never choose you over that family.”
I met his eyes.
“We'll see.”
Then he was gone.
The penthouse became quiet.
Marco walked toward the elevators.
“I'll give you two privacy.”
Nicholas watched him leave.
Then looked at me.
“It’s over.”
“No.”
His expression changed.
“Victor is over.”
I stepped closer.
May you like
“But you and I haven't even started.”
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