Chapter 8 - THE KEY LUCA DIDN'T KNOW HE GAVE AWAY|
When I returned to the mansion, Luca was waiting in the library.
Michael stood beside him.
The moment I entered, Luca closed the door.
"Claire, Michael told me where you went."
I looked from one man to the other.
"Then you know why."
Luca nodded.
"Did you find him?"
I took a breath.
"Yes."
For several seconds, Luca didn't speak.
Then he sat down slowly.
"Daniel Sullivan is alive?"
I nodded.
"And he says your father is in danger."
Luca leaned forward.
"Where is he?"
"Somewhere safe for the moment."
I hesitated.
"He wants to speak with you."
"Then bring him here."
"Not until you understand what happened twenty years ago."
Luca's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean?"
I explained everything Daniel had told me.
Andrew Cole.
The substituted body.
The forged death notice.
The threats that had kept Daniel away from Margaret.
And finally, the private study.
Luca listened without interrupting.
When I mentioned the security pass, he went completely still.
"That's not possible," he whispered.
"Daniel believes Victor used your pass."
Luca stared at the fireplace.
I watched a memory return to him.
"I was nineteen."
He spoke so quietly that I almost missed the words.
"It was the week before Christmas."
I sat opposite him.
"What happened?"
"Victor came to the house while Father was away."
Luca rubbed his forehead.
"He said Frank had asked him to retrieve some old business documents."
"Did you believe him?"
"Victor had been around the family for years."
Luca swallowed.
"I trusted him."
"What did you give him?"
"My access card."
His face twisted.
"He said the guards had forgotten to update his permissions."
I watched him struggle with the memory.
"He returned it that night."
Luca stood and walked toward the window.
"Three days later, Daniel Sullivan was reported dead."
His voice broke.
"I thought those events had nothing to do with each other."
I looked at him.
"You were nineteen."
"Old enough to know better."
"Victor lied to you."
Luca shook his head.
"I opened a door that helped him hurt innocent people."
For the first time, I saw the feared Chicago mafia boss as something other than a powerful man.
I saw a son who had been carrying guilt without knowing its name.
"Daniel doesn't believe you knowingly betrayed him," I said.
Luca turned.
"Then why tell me now?"
"Because Victor may use that old security record to blame you for what happened."
Luca's expression hardened.
"He wants control of my father's companies."
"Daniel believes so."
"And Vanessa?"
I lowered my eyes.
"I don't know how much she knows."
Luca was silent for a long time.
Then he picked up his phone.
He instructed Michael to preserve the archived security records and contact an independent attorney.
I watched him make a decision that clearly frightened him.
"Tell the lawyer I want the authorities to see everything," Luca said.
"Even the records that might implicate me."
Michael hesitated.
"Sir, those files could expose other dealings."
Luca looked at him.
"Then those dealings will have to face the light, too."
A moment later, Frank entered the library.
He looked exhausted.
But he smiled when he saw me.
"Claire, Margaret says you went to see someone."
I nodded.
"Frank, Daniel is alive."
The old man's knees almost buckled.
Luca caught his arm.
Frank began crying.
"Did he ask about Margaret?"
"She was the first person he asked about."
Frank covered his face.
"I prayed I'd live long enough to hear that."
I told him Daniel wanted to speak with him.
Frank nodded repeatedly.
"Anything."
"Whatever he wants, anything."
Then the library door opened.
Vanessa entered carrying a silver tray.
On it were three cups of tea.
"Frank, you look terrible," she said sweetly.
"I thought something warm might help."
Frank shook his head.
"I'm fine."
"Nonsense."
She placed a cup in front of him.
"You've been upset since last night."
I watched her hands.
One cup had a thin gold line around its rim.
She placed that cup directly beside Frank.
Then she looked toward Luca.
"Darling, your father shouldn't be worrying about all these old stories."
Luca remained silent.
Vanessa smiled.
"Drink your tea, Frank."
He lifted the cup.
I noticed a faint medicinal smell as he brought it toward his mouth.
Before I could speak, Vanessa turned and walked toward the door.
I looked at the other cups.
Neither smelled the same.
"Frank," I said, "wait."
But he had already taken several sips.
A moment later, his hand began trembling.
He placed the cup on the table.
"Luca?"
His voice sounded strange.
Luca turned.
"Father?"
Frank tried to stand.
Instead, he stumbled.
The cup fell from his hand and shattered against the marble floor.
I rushed forward.
Frank's face had turned gray.
His breathing became shallow.
"Call an ambulance!" I shouted.
Luca caught his father before he hit the ground.
"Father, look at me!"
Frank tried to speak.
His lips barely moved.
Luca bent closer.
And I heard the words that escaped between his broken breaths.
"Don't sign anything."
His eyes closed.
May you like
Luca began shouting his name.
And from the doorway, Vanessa watched without moving.
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