Chapter 7 - THE MAUSOLEUM OF LIES
The Valerio family mausoleum stood on a wooded hillside north of the city.
Dante had visited it only twice since his father's burial.
Once for the funeral.
Once on the anniversary.
Now he returned with Selene, Luca, an independent attorney, and a forensic document specialist.
The air smelled of wet stone and fallen leaves.
Selene examined the carved inscription above the entrance.
A lion.
Three waves.
The same emblem as Dante's ring.
But beneath it, almost invisible in the weathered stone, was another line.
The keeper is not the owner.
Selene translated it quietly.
Dante frowned.
"My father used to say that."
"What?"
"That a man could inherit responsibility without inheriting the right to abuse it."
Selene looked at him.
"Maybe he was trying to tell you something."
Inside the mausoleum, they found a small archival compartment behind a commemorative plaque.
It had been installed decades earlier to preserve family documents.
The attorney supervised its opening.
Inside lay a sealed metal cylinder.
Dante stared at it.
"That's what he wanted me to find?"
Selene nodded.
"Perhaps."
The cylinder contained several microfilm reels and a letter.
The letter was addressed to Dante.
He opened it.
His father's handwriting filled the page.
My son, if you are reading this, you have learned that the money was never the true inheritance.
Dante swallowed.
The reserves were created to support our legitimate businesses and the families dependent on them. Massimo has diverted funds through companies I do not recognize. I have hidden evidence of those transactions because I no longer know whom to trust.
Selene watched Dante's face.
He continued reading.
I made terrible compromises in my life. I told myself they were necessary to protect our family. You must decide whether you will repeat them.
Dante lowered the letter.
His hands were shaking.
For years, he'd believed his father wanted him to preserve the Valerio organization at any cost.
Now the old man was asking him to choose something else.
Selene gently touched his arm.
"What does it say?"
Dante looked at her.
"That my father knew the family was being robbed."
"And?"
He took a breath.
"That he wanted me to become a better man than he was."
Before Selene could answer, Luca's phone rang.
He listened, then looked at Dante.
"Massimo has called an emergency Commission meeting."
"When?"
"Tonight."
May you like
Dante folded the letter.
"Then he's running out of time."
