Chapter 12 - The Brother Nobody Mentioned
Margaret refused to believe it.
"There is no Gabriel."
Lucian sat handcuffed to a chair while private security waited for police and attorneys.
Valeria sat across the room.
Her arrogance had vanished.
Dominic stood beside the fireplace holding Angelo's list.
"My father called him Romano."
Margaret shook her head.
"Angelo had one brother. Michael. He died when they were children."
Lucian laughed softly.
"That is the story."
Dominic turned.
"Tell me the real one."
"Why should I?"
"Because right now you're facing fraud, attempted theft, forgery, unlawful entry, and assault."
Lucian looked toward Valeria.
She refused to meet his eyes.
Dominic continued.
"Help me and my attorneys tell prosecutors you cooperated."
Valeria suddenly spoke.
"Don't believe him."
Lucian looked at her.
"Interesting."
"You'll say anything."
"You searched Margaret's house."
Valeria went pale.
"You told me to."
"You planted the medication."
"You bought it."
Dominic listened as their marriage began collapsing under pressure.
Valeria stood.
"He created Meridian."
Lucian shouted, "Because you introduced me to Gabriel."
The room became silent.
Margaret gripped the chair.
Dominic approached Valeria.
"You know him."
Valeria looked away.
"Answer me."
She whispered, "Yes."
Margaret stared at her.
"Who is he?"
Valeria slowly sat.
"My mother worked for a private investment office when I was young. Gabriel was one of their clients."
"Gabriel Romano?"
"He didn't use Romano."
"What name?"
"Gabriel Raines."
G.R.
Dominic felt the pieces aligning.
"GR Legacy Trust."
Valeria nodded.
Margaret whispered, "Why did Angelo call him Romano?"
Valeria's voice became quieter.
"Because Romano was his real name."
Dominic waited.
Valeria finally looked at him.
"Gabriel said Angelo stole his inheritance."
Margaret stood.
"That's a lie."
"Maybe."
"What did he claim?"
Valeria looked at Dominic.
"That he was Angelo's older brother."
Margaret laughed once from pure disbelief.
"Impossible."
Lucian spoke.
"Ask Arthur Bell."
Margaret turned sharply.
Lucian smiled.
"Your retired bookkeeper knows."
Dominic called Arthur immediately.
No answer.
Again.
No answer.
They drove to Arthur's apartment with security.
The door was open.
The apartment was empty.
No sign of struggle.
On the dining table sat one envelope.
Dominic's name was written across the front.
Inside was a note.
Dominic,
If they have spoken Gabriel's name, then Angelo's secret is already loose.
I am leaving because I made a promise years ago.
Do not look for me.
If you want the truth, find the record of the Romano fire, October 1961.
A.B.
Margaret sat slowly.
"I know about the fire."
Dominic looked at her.
"What fire?"
"Your grandfather's house burned before Angelo and I met."
"Was Michael killed?"
"That's what Angelo told me."
Dominic's phone rang.
Samuel Keene.
"We got the injunction."
"Good."
"There's more. Lucian attempted an emergency board vote before arriving at your house."
"To remove me?"
"Yes."
"Did it pass?"
"No. We froze the proxy votes."
Dominic closed his eyes.
They had stopped the takeover.
One major battle was over.
But Samuel continued.
"Dominic, somebody tried to access the GR Legacy Trust twenty minutes ago."
"Lucian is in custody."
"I know."
"Valeria is too."
"I know."
Dominic's expression changed.
"Then who accessed it?"
Samuel answered.
"An authorized trustee."
"Name?"
"The records are sealed."
"Location?"
"Boston."
Margaret looked at Dominic.
Someone else was moving.
May you like
The mastermind had heard the trap close.
And he was still free.
