Chapter 3 - THE MAN WHO DIED TWICE
Gabriel's younger brother, Luca Duca, had died at thirty-one.
Officially, it was a boating accident on Lake Michigan.
His body had never been recovered.
The police concluded he had drowned during a storm.
Gabriel had spent four years believing that conclusion.
Until Matteo played the video.
The footage was grainy.
A man stood in a dim room wearing a gray sweater.
His face was partially obscured.
But the resemblance was unmistakable.
Dark hair.
Sharp cheekbones.
A distinctive scar near the right eyebrow.
Luca.
Or someone who looked exactly like him.
The man faced the camera.
“Gabriel,” he said.
Gabriel gripped the back of a chair.
The voice was Luca's.
“If you're watching this, you finally found the microphones.”
Olivia felt the hairs rise on her arms.
The man continued.
“You've been listening to the wrong people for four years.”
A pause.
“Ask Matteo what happened at Pier Nineteen.”
The video ended.
Nobody spoke.
Then Gabriel turned slowly toward his security chief.
“What happened at Pier Nineteen?”
Matteo went pale.
“Gabriel—”
“Answer me.”
Matteo looked toward Olivia.
Gabriel's voice hardened.
“She's already heard enough to be in danger. Don't insult either of us by pretending otherwise.”
Matteo exhaled.
“Luca met someone there the night before the accident.”
“Who?”
“A federal investigator.”
Gabriel stared.
“You never told me.”
“Luca made me promise.”
“Why?”
Matteo's face tightened.
“Because he believed someone inside your organization was stealing from you.”
Gabriel stepped closer.
“And you kept that from me?”
“I thought telling you would put you in danger.”
Gabriel gave a humorless laugh.
“Four years.”
Matteo lowered his eyes.
“I know.”
Olivia wanted to leave.
She had discovered microphones.
Now she was listening to a conversation about a supposedly dead brother, federal investigators, and betrayal.
She had a daughter who needed her.
This was no longer a mystery she could afford.
“Mr. Duca,” she said.
Gabriel turned.
“I need to go home.”
His expression softened slightly.
“Of course.”
Matteo looked surprised.
“Boss, we haven't finished questioning the staff.”
Gabriel didn't look at him.
“Mrs. Carter isn't under arrest.”
Olivia took a breath.
“Thank you.”
Gabriel added, “We can arrange a driver.”
“I have my car.”
“Then we'll make sure the gates are opened for you.”
She nodded.
For the first time that night, she felt she could breathe.
In the staff parking area, Olivia discovered that someone had slashed both rear tires of her car.
She stood staring at the rubber.
A folded piece of paper rested beneath the windshield wiper.
She opened it.
Four words.
STOP LISTENING TO THE DOG.
Her hands went cold.
Nero had found the devices.
She had opened the vent.
Now someone knew.
She stepped backward.
A security camera turned above the garage.
Then a voice spoke behind her.
“Olivia?”
She spun.
Gabriel stood near the doorway.
His gaze moved from her face to the note.
He held out his hand.
She gave it to him.
He read it.
The change in his expression was immediate.
“Matteo.”
His voice carried through the parking area.
Within seconds, guards appeared.
Gabriel looked at Olivia.
“Your daughter is with your mother?”
“Yes.”
“Call them.”
Olivia's stomach dropped.
“Why?”
“Because someone has just made you part of this.”
She dialed.
The phone rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then her mother answered.
“Olivia?”
Relief nearly buckled her knees.
“Mom. Is Lily there?”
“Of course. What's wrong?”
Olivia closed her eyes.
“Lock the doors.”
Her mother went silent.
“Olivia?”
“Please. Just lock them.”
Gabriel stood beside her without touching her.
May you like
For the first time, Olivia understood that the danger was not confined to the Duca estate.
It had followed her home.
