Chapter 7 - The Letter Roman Should Have Read Six Years Ago|
Roman sat on the floor of the blue room with Grace's letter in his hands.
The silence was unbearable.
Evie remained near the doorway.
She didn't know whether to sit beside him or give him privacy.
But when Roman looked up, his eyes were wet.
“Stay.”
So she did.
He unfolded the letter again.
Then began reading aloud.
Roman, if you're reading this, I hope I'm sitting beside you and we're laughing about how dramatic I can be.
His voice broke.
He swallowed.
Then continued.
But if I'm not there, I need you to understand something.
I have found records showing that Northline Freight has been used to move illegal shipments and hide money through false invoices.
Roman closed his eyes.
Grace continued.
I believe someone inside the family is involved.
I wanted to tell you everything, but the last time I asked questions, your father became angry.
Evie's stomach tightened.
Roman read the next paragraph.
Bennett warned me to stop looking.
His face hardened.
He said I was putting Lily at risk.
For several seconds, Roman couldn't speak.
Then he continued.
I don't believe he is acting alone.
I think someone close to you has been using the family's businesses without your knowledge.
Roman looked toward Evie.
“Did she tell you this?”
Evie nodded.
“Some of it.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
Her eyes filled.
“I tried.”
Roman lowered his head.
She continued.
“Grace asked me to keep Lily safe while she collected evidence. She didn't want you confronting anyone without proof.”
Roman looked toward the letter again.
Mercy has agreed to protect Lily if something happens.
She is the only person I trust completely.
Evie covered her mouth.
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
Grace had trusted her.
Even when the entire world later believed she'd betrayed that trust.
Roman continued.
The evidence is hidden somewhere nobody would think to search.
Lily knows the place, though she doesn't understand why it matters.
Roman frowned.
“Lily?”
Evie looked up.
He continued.
If anything happens, ask her about the blue elephant.
The room became silent.
Evie slowly looked toward the stuffed elephant in the cabinet.
Roman followed her gaze.
He stood.
Then carefully picked up the toy.
It was old.
One ear had been repaired with blue thread.
A small brass bell hung around its neck.
Roman remembered Lily carrying it everywhere when she was little.
After Grace died, the toy disappeared.
He assumed it had been lost.
Now it sat inside the hidden cabinet.
Roman examined it.
Nothing seemed unusual.
Then Evie noticed a seam along the back.
“Roman.”
He looked up.
She pointed.
“Has that been repaired?”
Roman frowned.
“Grace used to sew Lily's toys.”
Evie gently touched the stitching.
Something small and hard rested beneath the fabric.
Roman's expression changed.
He called Marco, the estate's newly appointed independent security director.
Within minutes, a forensic technician arrived.
The toy was photographed and carefully examined.
Inside the lining sat a tiny storage device sealed in plastic.
Roman stared.
Grace had hidden evidence inside their daughter's favorite toy.
The technician connected the device to a secure computer.
Folders appeared.
Financial records.
Shipping manifests.
Copies of correspondence.
Then an audio recording.
Roman clicked play.
Grace's voice filled the room.
“If anything happens to me, the people responsible are connected to Northline Freight.”
Her voice trembled.
“Bennett has been threatening me. He says Roman's father knows everything.”
Roman stopped breathing.
The recording continued.
“I don't know whether Salvatore is protecting the operation or being blackmailed by the people running it.”
A long pause.
Then Grace whispered:
“But I know one thing. If Roman discovers the truth, someone will try to make him choose between his family and justice.”
The recording ended.
Roman stared at the screen.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then his phone rang.
Bennett.
He answered.
“Boss?”
Roman's voice became dangerously quiet.
“Where are you?”
“At the estate security office.”
“Stay there.”
A pause.
“Why?”
Roman looked toward Grace's letter.
May you like
Then whispered:
“Because we need to talk about the night my wife died.”
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