Chapter 7 - THE UNCLE WHO KNEW SHE WAS ALIVE
Salvatore Castiglione arrived at Roman's estate on a rainy Monday evening.
He was sixty-three.
Silver-haired.
Impeccably dressed.
And accustomed to obedience.
“Roman.”
His nephew nodded.
“Uncle.”
Salvatore looked around.
“I hear you've been questioning the Meridian investment.”
Roman smiled faintly.
“I have.”
Salvatore sighed.
“Daniel Mercer is a valuable partner.”
Roman leaned back.
“Then he'll survive an audit.”
Salvatore's expression hardened.
“You're becoming suspicious.”
Roman looked at him.
“Shouldn't I be?”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Salvatore leaned forward.
“I hear you've been spending time with a waitress.”
Roman's eyes narrowed.
“Who told you that?”
Salvatore smiled.
“People talk.”
Roman remained still.
Salvatore continued.
“Be careful. Women like that can be ambitious.”
Roman's expression changed.
“Nora isn't your concern.”
Salvatore laughed softly.
“Everything connected to this family is my concern.”
Roman stood.
“Not anymore.”
Salvatore stared.
Then slowly rose.
“You're making a mistake.”
Roman looked at him.
“Maybe.”
After his uncle left, Roman called Evelyn.
“We need to move quickly.”
Meanwhile, Nora received a letter.
No return address.
Inside was a photocopy of a page from the original Halden & Pierce ledger.
At the bottom was a handwritten note.
ASK SALVATORE WHAT HAPPENED TO SOPHIE.
Nora stared.
Then called Roman.
When he answered, she whispered:
“Your uncle knows.”
Roman closed his eyes.
“I think so.”
Nora's voice trembled.
“Roman, what if Sophie is still being held somewhere?”
He took a breath.
“Then we find her.”
May you like
But neither knew that Salvatore had already made a decision.
He would not allow Nora Gallagher to destroy the empire he'd spent thirty years building.
