Chapter 7 - THE BOY WHO HEARD EVERYTHING
Matteo had been listening.
Not intentionally.
He had been sitting behind the library sofa with his toy train when Hannah and Lucas began talking.
He heard his nanny crying.
He heard his father's voice.
And he heard one word that frightened him.
Murdered.
That night, Matteo refused to sleep.
Hannah sat beside his bed.
“What's wrong?”
He looked down.
“Did someone hurt your daddy?”
Hannah froze.
“Matteo?”
He began crying.
“I heard you.”
Hannah's heart broke.
She moved closer.
“Sweetheart, that happened a long time ago.”
Matteo wiped his eyes.
“Is someone going to hurt you?”
Hannah swallowed.
“No one is hurting me right now.”
He stared.
“Promise?”
Hannah hesitated.
Then answered carefully.
“I promise I'll do everything I can to stay safe, and I'll tell your dad if I need help.”
Matteo nodded.
Then whispered:
“Mommy said that.”
Hannah went still.
“What?”
He looked at the photograph beside his bed.
“My mommy.”
Hannah followed his gaze.
Matteo continued.
“She said she'd be careful.”
Hannah felt cold.
“When did she say that?”
He thought.
“Before she went away.”
Hannah leaned closer.
“Do you remember anything else?”
Matteo nodded.
“She was talking to Grandma.”
Hannah's heart began pounding.
“What did they say?”
Matteo looked down.
“Grandma said Daddy couldn't know.”
The next morning, Hannah told Lucas.
His expression changed.
“Are you sure?”
Hannah nodded.
“That's what he said.”
Lucas stared toward the hallway.
His mother had been the last person to speak with Sofia before her fatal car accident.
At least, that was what the police report suggested.
He had never questioned it.
Now he wondered whether he should have.
Lucas contacted Detective Rebecca Shaw, who had handled several high-profile investigations involving financial crime.
He asked her to review the circumstances surrounding Sofia's death.
Shaw listened carefully.
Then said:
“Mr. Ravalini, if you want the truth, you need to understand something.”
Lucas looked at her.
“What?”
“We follow evidence. Even if it leads somewhere you don't want to go.”
May you like
Lucas nodded.
“That's exactly what I want.”
