Chapter 9 - Uncle Thomas
Thomas Hale had been a state judge for seventeen years.
Respected.
Connected.
Garrett spoke about him constantly.
“Uncle Thomas taught me that reputation is everything.”
Now Alessia understood why.
Carlo’s notebook documented three occasions where shell companies connected to Evelyn appeared before Thomas Hale in unrelated civil matters.
All received favorable rulings.
One involved Victor Shaw.
Another involved the company used to pay Nathan.
Detective Reese handed the information to state and federal investigators.
Alessia stayed out of it.
For the first time in weeks, she focused on Miriam.
Her mother’s injuries were healing.
The bruises faded.
But Miriam startled whenever a man raised his voice on television.
Alessia hated Garrett most for that.
Not the money.
Not the fake romance.
The fear.
One evening Miriam found Alessia standing in the ballroom.
The fountain had been repaired.
The silver console replaced.
“Why are you here?”
Alessia looked at the marble.
“I keep seeing you fall.”
Miriam took her hand.
“And I keep seeing you stand up.”
Alessia smiled sadly.
“That punch probably isn’t going to help me in divorce court.”
Miriam laughed for the first time since the attack.
Then her expression softened.
“I’m sorry I kept Carlo’s letter from you.”
“You followed his instructions.”
“I still should have trusted you.”
Alessia shook her head.
“We’ve had enough people blaming themselves for trusting the wrong person.”
Days later, Thomas Hale became the subject of a formal investigation.
He denied wrongdoing.
Garrett publicly accused Alessia of orchestrating a vendetta against his family.
His attorney released a statement describing him as:
“A devoted husband facing a coordinated effort to destroy his reputation.”
Then Garrett did something Alessia had not expected.
He petitioned the court for temporary access to Moretti House.
Not to live there.
To retrieve “personal marital property.”
Among the items listed was Carlo’s antique watch collection.
Alessia almost laughed.
Garrett never cared about watches.
Samuel did not laugh.
“Do any of Carlo’s watches contain storage?”
“I don’t know.”
Then Alessia remembered the Belladonna letter.
Some things only tell you what they need when the house is quiet.
Carlo loved hidden compartments.
Marcus inspected the watches.
Inside the presentation case beneath one removable velvet panel was another memory card.
One video.
No title.
It showed Evelyn meeting Nathan Cross in the parking garage beneath Moretti Hospitality.
She handed him an envelope.
Then she said:
“Once Garrett controls the vote, Alessia becomes optional.”
Nathan asked:
“Optional how?”
May you like
Evelyn smiled.
“That depends on how difficult she decides to be.”
