Chapter 6 - The Man Who Bought Silence|
Richard Bellini had built his reputation on appearing respectable.
He attended charity galas.
Donated to museums.
Sat on hospital boards.
And spoke frequently about family values.
Most people in Chicago knew him as a wealthy investor.
Fewer knew that his companies had accumulated enormous debts.
And almost nobody knew that his financial survival depended on assets that had never belonged to him.
By noon, Luca's attorneys had begun reviewing the documents in Elena's notebook.
The records suggested a long-running scheme involving false authorizations, diverted charitable funds, and property transfers.
Richard's company names appeared repeatedly.
So did Vanessa's.
Luca sat in his study while Marco spoke with investigators.
I brought him coffee.
He looked exhausted.
“Emma.”
“Yes, sir?”
“Sit for a moment.”
I hesitated.
Then sat across from him.
He looked toward the piano photograph on his desk.
“My mother trusted people too easily.”
I wasn't sure how to answer.
Then he shook his head.
“No. That's not fair.”
His voice softened.
“She believed people should be given chances. That wasn't weakness.”
I nodded.
“She sounds like a kind woman.”
“She was.”
He smiled faintly.
“She used to tell me money couldn't buy a good heart.”
I looked down.
“My mother says something similar.”
He turned.
“What does she say?”
I smiled sadly.
“That a person who breaks something precious because they can afford to replace it doesn't understand what made it valuable.”
Luca looked toward the piano.
Then laughed softly.
“I think our mothers would've liked each other.”
My chest warmed.
“Maybe.”
For a moment, the room felt peaceful.
Then Marco entered.
“Boss.”
Luca stood.
“What?”
“We found the Bellini storage property.”
His expression hardened.
“And?”
“Security footage shows Richard entering with a small metal case this morning.”
Luca looked toward the window.
“Have the authorities been notified?”
“Yes.”
“Then let them handle the search.”
Marco nodded.
But before he could leave, his phone rang again.
He answered.
Listened.
Then his expression changed.
“Boss, there's another issue.”
Luca frowned.
“What?”
“Vanessa is trying to leave the country.”
My stomach tightened.
Luca slowly looked up.
“Where?”
“A private aviation terminal outside Chicago.”
“Is Richard with her?”
“No.”
“Then where is he?”
Marco hesitated.
“We don't know.”
Luca took a breath.
“Give the information to the investigators.”
He turned toward me.
“Emma, would you check on the piano?”
I blinked.
“The piano?”
“Yes.”
He looked toward the west sitting room.
“I don't want anyone touching it without permission.”
I nodded.
“Of course.”
As I walked toward the hallway, I noticed something strange.
The service entrance was open.
A delivery van stood near the back steps.
Two men in gray uniforms were carrying boxes into the building.
I frowned.
No deliveries had been scheduled.
I approached.
“Excuse me.”
One man turned.
“Yes?”
“Who authorized this delivery?”
He glanced toward the other man.
“Mr. Bellini.”
My stomach tightened.
“This is the Moretti residence.”
The man nodded.
“We're collecting items from the west sitting room.”
I stopped breathing.
“What items?”
“An old piano.”
For one terrible second, I couldn't move.
Then I shook my head.
“No.”
The man frowned.
“We have a signed authorization.”
I looked at the paper.
Vanessa Bellini's signature.
Dated that morning.
She had tried again.
Even after Luca discovered the missing keys.
Even after investigators began examining the records.
Vanessa still wanted the piano removed.
I stepped between the movers and the hallway.
“You're not taking it.”
The man sighed.
“Ma'am, we're just doing our job.”
I nodded.
“I understand.”
Then I pointed toward the door.
“But you need to leave until Mr. Moretti confirms the order.”
One man reached for his phone.
The other looked irritated.
“Lady, move.”
My heart pounded.
I thought about my paycheck.
My mother's arthritis.
The bills waiting at home.
Then I remembered the blue mark on the ivory.
The little bench.
The hidden note.
And Isabella's frightened voice.
I stood my ground.
“No.”
A familiar voice came from behind me.
“Emma?”
Luca.
He approached.
His expression changed when he saw the movers.
“What's happening?”
I showed him the authorization.
He read it.
Then slowly looked toward the men.
“Who sent you?”
They exchanged glances.
Finally, one answered.
“Mr. Richard Bellini.”
Luca went completely still.
Then he looked toward Marco.
“Call the police.”
The men immediately stepped backward.
But Luca didn't raise his voice.
He simply pointed toward the exit.
“Leave the piano where it is.”
Then he looked at me.
For a moment, his expression softened.
“You stopped them.”
I nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
He studied my face.
May you like
Then whispered:
“Thank you for protecting something my mother loved.”
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