Chapter 7 - THE MAFIA BOSS WHO OWED A DEBT
Adrien didn't look surprised when I told him I wanted answers.
We sat in his office.
The walls were lined with books.
A large window overlooked the garden.
Mrs. Ellis was downstairs.
"My father saved your life," I said.
Adrien nodded.
"Yes."
"Then help me find him."
He studied me.
"Sophie, this could be dangerous."
I laughed bitterly.
"Apparently my entire childhood was dangerous and nobody bothered telling me."
His expression softened.
I leaned forward.
"Do you know who was behind the crash?"
Adrien hesitated.
"We suspected someone inside the company."
"Who?"
He looked away.
"Victor Hale."
The name meant nothing to me.
Adrien explained that Hale had been his father's business partner.
After the crash, Hale gained control of several valuable transportation contracts.
He also became increasingly influential in Chicago's criminal underworld.
"Was he investigated?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"Nothing was proven."
I stared.
"Convenient."
Adrien nodded.
"Very."
He opened a drawer.
Inside was a folder.
He placed it before me.
"These are the records we still have."
I opened it.
Photographs.
Police reports.
Insurance documents.
Then I saw something.
A picture of my father standing beside a damaged vehicle.
He looked younger.
Tired.
But unmistakably himself.
My eyes filled.
Adrien watched quietly.
"Your father was brave."
I swallowed.
"He was stubborn."
Adrien smiled faintly.
"That too."
I looked up.
"Did you ever try to find him?"
Adrien's expression changed.
"Yes."
"How hard?"
He stared.
I held his gaze.
"Because if you owe him your life, I want to know whether you did everything you could."
For a moment, the room was silent.
Then Adrien nodded.
"That's a fair question."
He looked toward the window.
"I searched for years."
My anger softened slightly.
"But I stopped when the evidence suggested he was dead."
I swallowed.
"And now?"
May you like
Adrien looked at me.
"Now we start again."
