Chapter 5 - THE PHOTOGRAPH BEHIND THE FRAME
Sophia remembered the photograph three days later.
She'd been helping Mateo organize old family albums when she saw Luca's face.
Young.
Smiling.
Standing beside a sailboat.
She froze.
Mateo noticed.
“What?”
Sophia pointed.
“I've seen him before.”
Mateo stared.
“Where?”
“In my father's office.”
His expression changed.
“What kind of photograph?”
“An old one. Framed. Luca standing beside my father and another man.”
Mateo leaned forward.
“Who?”
Sophia closed her eyes.
“I don't remember.”
“Think.”
She flinched.
Mateo stopped.
Then softened his voice.
“I'm sorry.”
She nodded.
“I know you're frightened.”
He sat beside her.
“Take your time.”
Sophia studied the album.
Then whispered:
“The third man wore a ring.”
Mateo frowned.
“What kind?”
“A gold ring. Black stone.”
Mateo went still.
Dominic Bellini wore a gold ring with a black onyx stone.
He had worn it for twenty years.
Mateo looked toward the doorway.
Dominic stood there.
Watching.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Mateo said quietly:
“Dominic.”
Dominic's face was unreadable.
“Yes, boss?”
“Come here.”
Dominic approached.
Mateo pointed at his hand.
“Where did you get that ring?”
Dominic looked down.
Then back up.
“My father.”
Mateo stared.
“Are you sure?”
Dominic's expression hardened.
“Of course.”
Sophia whispered:
“No.”
Both men turned.
She was trembling.
“I remember now.”
Mateo looked at her.
“What?”
Sophia pointed at Dominic.
“The man in the photograph wasn't wearing the ring.”
Silence.
She swallowed.
“He was giving it to someone.”
Mateo stared.
“To whom?”
Sophia looked at Dominic.
May you like
Then whispered:
“To your father.”
