Chapter 8 - THE MAN WHO STOOD BESIDE HIM
Victor Santoro had been Dante's friend for twenty years.
They had grown up in neighboring streets in Brooklyn.
They had survived dangerous business disputes together.
Victor had stood beside Dante at his wedding.
He had carried Alessia's coffin.
And after her death, he had told Dante that revenge would only make things worse.
Now Dante wondered whether the man comforting him had helped create the tragedy.
He didn't confront Victor immediately.
Instead, he quietly authorized an independent financial investigation.
Clare helped review the foundation's public filings and internal records made available to the auditors.
The discrepancies were extensive.
Millions had passed through companies with no meaningful services.
Several payments connected to businesses controlled by Victor.
Others led to accounts associated with people who had disappeared.
But one transfer stood out.
It had been authorized forty-eight hours before Alessia died.
The recipient was a private security contractor.
The amount was $275,000.
Clare stared at the screen.
"Dante."
He approached.
"What?"
She pointed.
"This payment was disguised as medical equipment."
"Who approved it?"
"Victor."
Dante's face became unreadable.
Then Clare found the invoice.
It referenced a vehicle.
A vehicle matching the description of the one involved in the explosion.
Dante sat down slowly.
For a long time, he said nothing.
Clare wanted to comfort him.
But she knew no words could soften what he was beginning to understand.
Finally, he whispered, "He held my son at Alessia's funeral."
Clare closed her eyes.
Dante looked at her.
"He told me she would have wanted me to be strong."
May you like
His voice broke.
"And I believed him."
