Chapter 11 - THE TRUTH ABOUT THE FIRE
Sophie provided the missing evidence.
Before disappearing, she had copied internal communications showing that Daniel Mercer and associates connected to Salvatore had discussed destroying records.
The messages did not establish every detail of the warehouse fire.
But they raised serious questions about who had ordered the destruction.
Investigators reopened the case.
Additional witnesses came forward.
Financial records were recovered.
And the network of fraudulent transactions began to unravel.
Roman cooperated with authorities.
He disclosed relevant business records and suspended transactions connected to Meridian Harbor.
He also began an independent review of companies under his control.
The process was painful.
Some longtime associates resigned.
Others faced investigation.
But Roman refused to protect wrongdoing merely because it involved family.
One evening, Salvatore called him.
“Roman.”
His nephew's expression hardened.
“Uncle.”
Salvatore sighed.
“You're destroying everything your father built.”
Roman looked toward the city.
“No.”
He took a breath.
“I'm trying to stop it from destroying everyone else.”
Salvatore laughed bitterly.
“You think that waitress is worth it?”
Roman's voice turned cold.
“Nora has nothing to do with your choices.”
He ended the call.
Then contacted his attorney.
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For the first time, Roman understood that loyalty without accountability wasn't loyalty.
It was surrender.
