Chapter 9 - THE DON WHO KNEW THE TRUTH
Don Salvatore arrived at the coastal villa shortly after sunset.
He entered with two men.
No weapons were visible.
But Irene knew better than to assume that meant safety.
Aleandro stood beside the fireplace.
Irene sat at the table with the ledger closed before her.
Salvatore looked at it.
His expression changed.
“Where did you find that?”
Irene answered in Arbëreshë.
“Where my father left it.”
Salvatore stared.
Then looked away.
Aleandro spoke.
“You lied to me.”
Salvatore's jaw tightened.
“About what?”
“Giovanni Corvino.”
Salvatore said nothing.
Aleandro stepped closer.
“You told me you never knew him.”
Salvatore looked at Irene.
Then whispered:
“I knew him.”
Irene felt cold.
“Did you help kill him?”
Salvatore closed his eyes.
“No.”
“Then why is your name in the ledger?”
He looked down.
“Because I paid your father.”
Irene stared.
“For what?”
Salvatore swallowed.
“To protect my family.”
He explained that Giovanni had discovered a conspiracy involving Vittorio Vulpe and several other organizations.
The conspirators were using legitimate shipping businesses to conceal illegal operations.
Giovanni collected evidence.
Salvatore secretly supported him.
But someone betrayed them.
Irene leaned forward.
“Who?”
Salvatore looked at Aleandro.
Then whispered:
“Your father's second wife.”
Aleandro froze.
“My stepmother?”
Salvatore nodded.
“Caterina.”
Caterina Vulpe had disappeared after Vittorio's supposed death.
Aleandro believed she had retired to Switzerland.
Now Salvatore claimed she had helped orchestrate the attack on the Corvino estate.
Irene stared.
“Why?”
Salvatore's expression darkened.
“Because Giovanni knew something about her that could destroy everything she wanted.”
Aleandro asked:
“What?”
Salvatore looked toward the ledger.
Then whispered:
“She wasn't Vittorio's wife.”
May you like
Silence.
“She was his handler.”
