Chapter 12 - THE CONFESSION|
Luca wanted to call Vanessa immediately.
Maya told him not to.
"She's frightened," Maya said over the phone.
"That doesn't make her trustworthy."
I sat beside the kitchen window, still holding my phone.
The courtyard outside was empty.
Every passing car made my heart beat faster.
Vanessa had threatened me.
She had offered me money to lie.
She had planted stolen jewelry in my locker.
And now she was warning me that Silas Voss might come after me.
I didn't know whether she wanted protection or whether this was another trap.
Luca crouched beside my chair.
"Claire, look at me."
I raised my eyes.
"You're not handling this alone."
I nodded.
He continued.
"Whatever Vanessa knows, the investigators can obtain it."
"But what if she really is scared?"
"Then she should tell them the truth."
The following morning, Maya arranged for Vanessa's attorney to contact the investigators directly.
A formal interview was scheduled at a federal office in downtown Chicago.
Luca was advised not to attend the interview itself.
He hated that restriction.
But he agreed.
I stayed at the apartment with Benjamin while Olivia accompanied him to Maya's office.
For hours, we heard nothing.
Benjamin spent the morning drawing a picture of our temporary home.
In the picture, he drew himself between Luca and me.
Aunt Olivia stood beside us.
Above everyone was a bright yellow sun.
I studied the drawing.
"What's this?"
Benjamin pointed at a small blue bird near the roof.
"Grandma."
I smiled.
"Why a bird?"
"Because she liked things that could fly wherever they wanted."
I felt tears gather in my eyes.
"That's beautiful."
He looked at me.
"Do you think she'll be happy when we're all home again?"
"I think she would love seeing you safe."
Benjamin carefully added another yellow line around the sun.
At three o'clock, Luca returned.
He walked into the apartment without his coat.
His expression was unreadable.
I stood.
"What happened?"
He sat at the table.
"Vanessa gave a statement."
I waited.
"She admitted she worked for Voss before we met."
Olivia entered behind him.
"She also admitted that he paid her to get close to Luca."
I covered my mouth.
"She married him because of the foundation?"
"At first," Luca said.
His voice was hollow.
"She told investigators she was supposed to find whatever records my mother had left behind."
"Did she know about the second notebook?"
"Not until Benjamin mentioned the piano."
I looked toward the bedroom where Benjamin was playing.
"And the transfer?"
Luca's face hardened.
"She admitted arranging it."
I felt sick.
"Why?"
"Because Voss believed Benjamin could identify him."
Olivia placed a hand on the table.
"And because the boy had seen him entering the safe."
Luca stared at his hands.
"She was supposed to keep Benjamin away from anyone who might listen to him."
I thought about all the nights Benjamin had asked whether his father still loved him.
Vanessa had been trying to convince the boy he was unwanted.
If he believed his father no longer cared, perhaps he would stop asking for help.
It was a cruel plan.
And it had almost worked.
"What about Rosa?" I whispered.
Luca looked up.
"Vanessa admitted she helped Voss gain access to the garage the night Mom died."
Olivia's voice shook.
"She claims she didn't know the car had been sabotaged until afterward."
"Do you believe her?"
Luca stared out the window.
"I don't know."
He paused.
"But she knew about the false inspection report."
I felt cold.
"Then she helped cover it up."
"Yes."
Olivia wiped her eyes.
"She continued working for Voss after the funeral."
The betrayal had lasted for years.
Luca finally spoke.
"She told investigators that Voss promised her money, influence, and protection."
I remembered Vanessa's expensive dresses.
Her jewelry.
Her constant obsession with status.
But I also remembered Benjamin begging his father not to leave.
No amount of money could explain choosing to hurt a child that way.
"What happens to her now?" I asked.
"She's under investigation, and her attorney is negotiating the terms of her cooperation."
Luca looked at me.
"I won't interfere with whatever charges she faces."
His voice carried no satisfaction.
Only exhaustion.
Maya arrived shortly afterward with another update.
Vanessa had turned over a second phone.
It contained messages from Silas Voss.
Some discussed the forged placement order.
Others referred to the charity accounts.
And several mentioned a storage facility on Halsted Street.
"What's there?" Luca asked.
Maya placed a photograph on the table.
"An archive used by one of Voss's companies."
Olivia leaned forward.
"Original records?"
"Possibly."
"Can investigators search it?"
"They're working to preserve the evidence."
Maya paused.
"Vanessa says Voss intends to destroy the files."
Luca stood.
"When?"
"Tonight."
For several seconds, the apartment was silent.
Then Maya opened one final message.
Her face changed.
"What?" Luca asked.
She turned the phone toward him.
The message had been sent from Voss to Vanessa two days earlier.
IF THE BOY TALKS, THE MAID BECOMES THE PROBLEM.
Below it was another message.
SHE'S THE ONE HE TRUSTS. REMOVE HER, AND HE'LL STOP TALKING.
Luca stared at the screen.
Then he slowly turned toward me.
"Claire, you've been protecting my son."
I tried to speak.
Nothing came out.
May you like
He placed his hand over mine.
"And now they're coming after you."
