Chapter 8 - THE DAUGHTER THEY TRIED TO USE
Ania was frightened when federal investigators contacted her.
She worked nights at a medical laboratory in Chicago.
She had never met Victor Moretti.
She knew only that her mother cleaned a wealthy family's house and had recently sounded afraid.
Now strangers were telling her that she might be in danger.
She called Magdalena.
“Mom?”
Magdalena began crying when she heard her voice.
“Ania.”
“What is happening?”
Magdalena struggled to explain.
Victor took the phone.
“Ania, my name is Victor Moretti.”
Silence.
“I know who you are.”
He swallowed.
“Your mother helped save mine.”
Ania said nothing.
“I owe her more than I can repay.”
Finally, she whispered:
“Then keep her safe.”
Victor looked at Magdalena.
“I will do everything I legally can.”
The investigation moved quickly.
Federal agents reviewed the financial records.
Aster Health Consulting was linked to a network of shell companies.
Several had received payments from businesses associated with Judge Whitcomb.
One had purchased medical supplies.
Another had paid Gerald Bell.
A third had transferred money to Audrey's personal investment account.
Rebecca explained the findings to Victor.
“There's evidence of a coordinated financial scheme.”
Victor stared.
“And the medication?”
“Investigators are tracing the supply chain.”
He nodded.
He wanted Audrey arrested immediately.
But Rebecca reminded him that suspicion was not the same as proof.
Audrey hired an expensive criminal defense attorney.
Then she gave a television interview.
She sat in a cream-colored studio wearing a pale blue dress.
Her voice trembled.
“I loved Sylvia like my own mother.”
Victor watched from his office.
Audrey continued.
“I devoted six months of my life to caring for her. Now I'm being accused because a disgruntled employee manipulated a grieving family.”
The interviewer asked about the surveillance footage.
Audrey wiped her eyes.
“Private recordings can be taken out of context.”
Victor turned off the television.
Dominic stood nearby.
“You want me to handle this?”
Victor looked at him.
“No.”
Dominic hesitated.
“Victor.”
“No threats. No intimidation. Nothing that damages the case.”
Dominic nodded slowly.
“You've changed.”
Victor looked toward the hospital photograph on his desk.
“I should have changed sooner.”
That night, Magdalena received a letter.
No return address.
Inside was a photograph of Ania as a child.
On the back, someone had written:
You cannot protect everyone.
Magdalena began shaking.
Victor found her sitting in the hospital corridor.
He knelt beside her.
“What happened?”
She handed him the photograph.
He stared.
Then called the investigators.
The following morning, Ania arrived in Seattle under protective arrangements.
Magdalena ran toward her.
Mother and daughter embraced.
Victor stood several feet away.
He watched Magdalena cry into Ania's hair.
He thought of Sylvia.
How many times had she been afraid for him?
How many sacrifices had she made without telling him?
Ania approached Victor later.
“My mother says you helped.”
Victor shook his head.
“She helped first.”
Ania looked at him.
“You don't look like I expected.”
He almost smiled.
“What did you expect?”
“A monster.”
Victor looked down.
“That isn't entirely unfair.”
Ania studied him.
“Then maybe you should become someone else.”
The words stayed with him.
That evening, Sylvia managed to speak a complete sentence.
Her voice was weak.
But clear.
“Victor.”
He leaned closer.
“Yes, Mom?”
She looked at him.
“Don't become your father.”
Victor felt tears rise.
He took her hand.
May you like
“I won't.”
For the first time, he meant it.
