Chapter 12 - THE BROTHER WHO FINALLY TOLD THE TRUTH|
Matteo Moretti came to meet his brother on Tuesday morning without his expensive coat, his polished shoes, or the arrogance I had come to associate with his name.
He looked like a frightened man who hadn't slept in days.
Detective Brooks had arranged the meeting in a secure interview room.
Maya attended.
So did Matteo's attorney.
Luca insisted that I remain nearby, because much of Matteo's account concerned the forged documents bearing my name.
I didn't object.
I wanted to hear the truth from the man who had helped destroy Frank's Thanksgiving.
When Matteo entered, he wouldn't look at me.
He sat across from Luca.
For several moments, neither brother spoke.
Then Luca asked one question.
"Did you know they were going to hurt Dad?"
Matteo lowered his head.
"No."
"Did you know Vivienne was lying to him?"
Matteo closed his eyes.
"Yes."
Luca's expression hardened.
"Did you know she told him I didn't want him at Thanksgiving?"
"Yes."
"Did you help arrange the guardianship petition?"
Matteo nodded.
"Yes."
Luca leaned back.
His face was unreadable.
"Then you helped make our father believe his own family had abandoned him."
Matteo's hands began shaking.
"I know."
"You let him sit alone in the kitchen while people celebrated in his home."
"I know."
"Don't tell me you know."
Luca's voice cracked.
"Tell me why."
Matteo covered his face.
"Because I was desperate."
The room fell silent.
He explained that Victor Sloan, the owner of Lakefront Capital, had spent years using his financial problems to control him.
Even after Frank made the final settlement payment, Sloan claimed additional obligations remained.
Matteo had questioned those demands.
But he was also hiding new debts and transactions that could destroy his own business.
Sloan used those secrets against him.
When the value of Rosa's Table increased because of redevelopment plans, Sloan saw an opportunity.
The restaurant and adjacent property could be purchased cheaply through fraudulent documents and later resold for far more.
But Frank refused to sell.
"So Sloan told me there was another way," Matteo said.
Luca stared at him.
"Guardianship."
Matteo nodded.
"He said if Dad was declared unable to manage his affairs, somebody could control the legal process."
Maya interrupted.
"A guardianship wouldn't automatically authorize a property sale."
"I know that now."
Matteo's voice cracked.
"But Sloan had other forged documents prepared."
He explained that the petition was supposed to create pressure and confusion while Lakefront pursued questionable claims against the property.
Vivienne had agreed to provide access to the mansion, family records, and signatures.
The plan included isolating Frank, manipulating medical reports, and persuading people that he could no longer make reasonable decisions.
I leaned forward.
"And my identity?"
Matteo looked at me for the first time.
"I'm sorry, Claire."
I felt my anger rise.
"That isn't an answer."
He swallowed.
"Vivienne needed a household employee to support the petition."
"So she forged my name."
"Yes."
"And the bank account?"
"That was part of Sloan's financial setup."
"To make it look like I'd been paid?"
Matteo nodded.
"Yes."
My hands clenched.
For five years, I had worked honestly.
I had cleaned floors, washed dishes, carried groceries, and spent holidays serving other people's families.
And these people had decided my reputation was disposable.
"Do you have any idea what you did to me?" I asked.
Matteo lowered his eyes.
"I know I can't repair it with an apology."
"Then don't try."
Luca glanced at me.
But he didn't interrupt.
For once, someone in that family was allowing a housemaid to express her anger without telling her to be quiet.
Detective Brooks asked Matteo about the fire.
His face grew pale.
"Sloan hired the men."
"Did you know about the plan beforehand?"
Matteo hesitated.
"I knew he wanted the records destroyed."
He swallowed.
"But I didn't know he intended to trap anyone inside."
Brooks made a note.
"You'll need to identify everyone involved."
Matteo nodded.
"I will."
"Do you have evidence supporting your statements?"
"Yes."
He opened a folder.
Inside were financial records, messages, and copies of payment instructions.
There were communications between Vivienne and Sloan concerning the guardianship scheme.
There were records linking the hired security men to Lakefront's contractors.
And there were instructions for preparing the false property documents.
Some of those records would need further authentication.
But they gave investigators specific leads that could be checked.
Then Matteo said something that made everyone stop.
"The original payoff acknowledgment is still in the mansion."
Luca frowned.
"Where?"
"Vivienne took it from the restaurant."
"Why keep it?"
"Because Sloan wanted the original destroyed after the property transfer."
"Does she still have it?"
Matteo nodded.
"Last night she did."
Detective Brooks leaned forward.
"Where are those documents being stored?"
"In a locked cabinet in Luca's study."
I stared at him.
Vivienne had hidden the evidence in the very room where Luca conducted his business.
"How did she get access?" Luca demanded.
Matteo looked ashamed.
"I gave her the duplicate key."
Luca closed his eyes.
The betrayal seemed endless.
Then Matteo spoke again.
"Victor is coming to the mansion tonight."
"Why?"
"To collect the original papers and the electronic records."
Detective Brooks stood.
"We'll coordinate with the investigators handling the financial case."
Matteo looked toward Luca.
"There's something else."
Luca didn't answer.
Matteo's voice trembled.
"I know you hate me."
Luca stared at his brother.
"I don't know what I feel."
Matteo nodded.
"I deserve that."
He wiped his face.
"But I need you to tell Dad something."
"What?"
Matteo's eyes filled with tears.
"Tell him I remember the Sunday dinners."
Luca didn't move.
"Tell him I remember how he used to cut the last meatball in half so neither of us would go hungry."
His voice broke.
"And tell him I'm sorry I became the kind of man who would take his last meal away."
For several moments, Luca said nothing.
Then he stood.
"I won't deliver another message built around what you want, Matteo."
His brother looked devastated.
"If you want Dad to hear you, tell the truth."
Luca paused.
"All of it."
Matteo nodded through his tears.
"I will."
Before we left, Detective Brooks received a call.
She listened carefully.
Then she looked toward Maya.
"The search warrant is being executed tonight."
I felt my heartbeat quicken.
Vivienne and Sloan would finally face an investigation they couldn't control with money.
But as we stepped into the hallway, Matteo caught Luca's arm.
"Brother."
Luca turned.
Matteo looked terrified.
"There's something I haven't told the police yet."
"What?"
"Vivienne has a second copy of the records."
"Where?"
Matteo swallowed.
"On a drive she carries with her."
Luca frowned.
"Why does that matter?"
"Because she plans to leave Chicago tonight."
May you like
He looked toward the closed interview-room door.
"And if she gets away, she'll take the only evidence that could prove Sloan ordered the fire."
