Chapter 3 - THE SILVER WATCH
Maya had never intended to become involved in the Duca family's problems.
She needed her job.
Her rent was due.
And she had spent the last three years trying to build a life that didn't involve powerful men making decisions for her.
But Ethan kept holding her hand.
And Roman kept looking at her as though she had opened a door he didn't know existed.
The restaurant's security recordings revealed something strange.
At 4:17 the previous afternoon, a woman in a gray coat entered through the rear service door.
Her face was partially obscured.
She carried no handbag.
She moved quickly.
A man followed her.
Tall.
Dark coat.
Silver watch.
Roman stared at the screen.
"Zoom in."
The technician enlarged the image.
The man's face remained hidden.
But the watch was distinctive.
A silver chronograph with a black dial.
Roman recognized it.
His stomach tightened.
"Pause."
Marcus leaned forward.
"Boss?"
Roman whispered:
"That's my brother."
Gabriel Duca had been Roman's younger brother.
He handled the family's financial accounts.
He had been the one who identified Sofia's car after the accident.
He had arranged the funeral.
He had told Roman to stop searching.
And he wore a silver chronograph their father had given him on his twenty-first birthday.
Roman stepped away from the monitor.
Marcus watched him.
"Boss?"
Roman looked at him.
"Where's Gabriel?"
Marcus checked his phone.
"At the warehouse."
Roman's expression hardened.
"Get him here."
Meanwhile, Maya returned to the dining room.
Ethan sat alone at the booth.
She approached.
"How are you doing?"
He shrugged.
She sat across from him.
"Can I ask you something?"
He nodded.
"Why did you think something bad would happen when your dad's phone rang?"
Ethan stared at the table.
Then whispered:
"Uncle Gabriel told me."
Maya felt cold.
"What did he say?"
Ethan swallowed.
"He said if Dad answered the wrong call, Mom would disappear forever."
Maya looked toward the hallway.
"Did he tell you not to tell anyone?"
Ethan nodded.
"Did he threaten you?"
The boy hesitated.
Then whispered:
"He said Dad would be angry."
Maya's chest tightened.
"At you?"
Ethan nodded.
She leaned forward.
"Ethan, listen to me."
He looked up.
"None of this is your fault."
Tears filled his eyes.
Maya continued.
"You did the right thing by telling us."
The boy stared at her.
Then asked:
"Do you think my mom is alive?"
Maya swallowed.
"I don't know."
He looked down.
May you like
She reached across the table.
"But I think we should find out."
