Chapter 5 - THE STABLEMASTER'S SECRET
Patrick Doyle had worked at the Salvatore estate for nine years.
He knew the horses.
The staff.
The security schedules.
And every road leading through the vineyards.
When Alessandro summoned him, Patrick arrived smiling.
“Mr. Salvatore.”
Alessandro remained seated.
“Tell me what happened to Midnight.”
Patrick's smile faltered.
“He went wild.”
“Why?”
“Some horses are unpredictable.”
“Midnight has never behaved that way.”
“Animals change.”
Alessandro placed a veterinary report on the desk.
“Someone injured him.”
Patrick stared.
“That's terrible.”
“Someone also used an irritating chemical on the wound.”
Silence.
“Do you know anything about that?”
“No.”
Alessandro looked toward Gabriel Torres, a security consultant hired to assist Owen Cain with the investigation.
Gabriel opened a laptop.
Surveillance footage appeared.
Patrick entered Midnight's stall at 4:12 a.m.
He carried a black bag.
He remained inside for seven minutes.
Then left.
Patrick's face turned gray.
Alessandro watched him.
“Try again.”
Patrick swallowed.
“I was checking his tack.”
“With a chemical bottle?”
Patrick looked toward the door.
“I didn't have a choice.”
Alessandro leaned forward.
“Who told you to do it?”
Patrick began trembling.
“Matteo.”
***
Matteo Salvatore had arranged for Midnight to become uncontrollable.
The plan was simple.
Alessandro would be forced to sedate or remove the stallion.
Then Matteo would offer replacement horses through Daniel Mercer's company.
The transaction would create a legitimate-looking reason to bring stolen horses onto the estate.
Midnight's injuries were meant to make Alessandro desperate.
But the plan failed.
Because Elena stepped into the paddock.
Because she refused to treat fear as aggression.
Because she saw what the guards missed.
Patrick explained everything.
He also admitted that Matteo had paid him to alter veterinary records.
Alessandro listened without interrupting.
Then called Rebecca.
“Arrange for Patrick's statement to be documented.”
Patrick looked terrified.
“Mr. Salvatore, please—”
Alessandro stood.
“You injured an animal to help criminals move stolen property.”
“I have children.”
“So does the woman you nearly put in danger.”
Patrick lowered his head.
Alessandro continued.
“You'll have the opportunity to explain your actions to investigators.”
***
Elena learned the truth that afternoon.
She was sitting beside Midnight's stall.
Claire had allowed her to visit from outside the enclosure while the horse recovered.
Midnight stretched his neck toward her.
She smiled.
“Hello, handsome.”
Alessandro approached.
“He likes you.”
“He likes sugar.”
“He likes you.”
She laughed softly.
Then saw his expression.
“What happened?”
He told her.
About Patrick.
Matteo.
The false shipment.
Daniel's company.
Elena became quiet.
“So Daniel wasn't looking for me?”
“We don't know.”
She looked relieved for half a second.
Then ashamed.
“I shouldn't be relieved.”
“Why not?”
“Because he's hurting animals.”
Alessandro crouched beside her chair.
“Elena, you're allowed to be relieved that someone may not know where you are.”
She looked at him.
“Even if other people are suffering?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes filled.
“I'm so tired of being afraid.”
Alessandro said nothing.
Then Elena whispered:
“Sometimes I think my daughter can feel it.”
He looked at her belly.
“Then let's give her something else to feel.”
“What?”
“Safety.”
Elena studied him.
“Can you promise that?”
Alessandro hesitated.
“No.”
She looked surprised.
He continued.
“I can't promise nothing bad will happen. But I can promise I won't lie to you about the risks.”
Elena's expression softened.
For the first time, she believed him.
Not because he was powerful.
May you like
Because he had refused to promise the impossible.
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