Chapter 9 - THE SECOND SECRET IN THE PAINTING
Dante returned to Enzo's apartment with investigators.
The painting was carefully removed and examined.
Under specialized lighting, conservators found that the red sailboat had been painted over a blue one.
But there was more.
Tiny letters had been written along the waterline.
They were nearly invisible beneath the varnish.
The message read:
ST. JEROME – NORTH WINDOW – THIRD STONE.
Dante stared.
Enzo had left a second clue.
At St. Jerome's, Father Bellini listened as Dante explained.
Then led him to the old chapel.
The north window overlooked a narrow courtyard.
Beneath it were several limestone blocks.
The third stone had a small concealed recess.
Inside was a sealed metal container.
The container held copies of financial records.
Letters.
And a handwritten statement from Isabella Mercer.
Dante read the statement.
Isabella had discovered that Leonard Voss was moving money through trusts and shell companies.
She had confronted him.
He threatened her.
She planned to take the records to authorities.
Then she died.
The documents didn't prove every detail of her death.
But they established a financial motive and a trail of deception that had continued for decades.
Dante looked toward the chapel.
Enzo had found the truth.
He had hidden the evidence.
And he had trusted an eight-year-old girl to notice when someone disturbed his apartment.
For the first time since the funeral, Dante felt something besides rage.
He felt pride.
May you like
His little brother had been brave.
Braver than anyone knew.
