Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO SOLD A FAMILY'S GRIEF
Carlo Benedetti had built his reputation on patience.
He rarely shouted.
He preferred agreements made over dinner and threats delivered through intermediaries.
For twenty years, he had survived by making himself useful to powerful men.
But he had made one mistake.
He believed Lorenzo Vescari would never question the story of his brother's death.
Lorenzo summoned Carlo to a meeting at the family mansion.
Amelia advised against confronting him without law enforcement involvement.
Lorenzo listened.
Then arranged the meeting with investigators informed and security measures in place.
Carlo arrived smiling.
"Lorenzo."
"Sit."
Carlo glanced toward the empty chairs.
"Where are the others?"
"This concerns Matteo."
The smile disappeared.
Carlo sat slowly.
Lorenzo placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Matteo beside a medical transport vehicle.
The date was two days after his supposed death.
Carlo stared.
Then laughed.
"That could be anyone."
Lorenzo placed another document beside it.
A payment record.
Then a third.
A signed authorization.
Carlo's name appeared at the bottom.
"You arranged the transport."
Carlo leaned back.
"I arranged many transports."
"Where is my brother?"
Carlo looked toward the door.
Rafael stood there.
Lorenzo spoke again.
"Where?"
Carlo's expression hardened.
"You don't understand what Matteo discovered."
"Then explain."
Carlo hesitated.
Finally, he said:
"Your brother wanted to expose the port operation."
Lorenzo felt cold.
"What operation?"
Carlo looked down.
"Illegal shipments. False manifests. Payments to officials."
Lorenzo stared.
"And you stopped him?"
"He was going to ruin everything."
Lorenzo leaned forward.
"Did you kill him?"
Carlo's voice dropped.
"No."
The answer came too quickly.
Lorenzo studied him.
Carlo continued.
"He was injured during the warehouse fire. We moved him before the authorities arrived."
"Why?"
"Because he knew too much."
Lorenzo's hands curled into fists.
"And Clara?"
Carlo looked away.
"Bell handled her."
"Where is she?"
Carlo shook his head.
"I don't know."
Lorenzo stood.
For one terrible moment, he wanted to solve everything the way his father would have.
With violence.
With fear.
With an irreversible decision.
Then he remembered Millie asking whether grown-ups could fix mistakes by telling the truth.
He stepped back.
"Rafael."
"Yes, boss?"
"Make sure the investigators receive everything."
Carlo stared.
"You'd turn against your own family?"
May you like
Lorenzo looked at him.
"You stopped being family when you buried my brother alive."
