Chapter 14 - THE NAME ON THE BUILDING
Two years after the missing money was discovered, the old Baranti Tower underwent a transformation.
Several floors were leased to independent businesses.
The foundation's community programs moved into a new building.
And the service contractor that had underpaid workers was replaced after a formal review.
Former employees received payments following a wage settlement.
Enzo no longer controlled the entire operation.
Independent management handled the legitimate businesses that remained.
The change was difficult.
But necessary.
Mave watched from a distance.
She had no interest in becoming part of another empire.
Her own life was changing.
She completed a certificate program in peer support and adaptive skills instruction.
She began working full-time at the community center.
Her brother Finn graduated from university.
And the old investigation into her father's death reached a painful but meaningful turning point.
Investigators concluded that the original fire had been deliberately set.
The evidence supported reopening the case as a homicide investigation.
Not every question had been answered.
But Patrick Dunlevy's death was no longer officially treated as an accident.
Mave cried when she heard.
Then she went to her father's grave.
She brought flowers.
And a copy of the revised finding.
She sat beside the headstone.
"Dad," she whispered, "they finally listened."
The wind moved through the trees.
Mave looked down at her hands.
The scars remained.
But she no longer wore gloves to hide them.
She touched the stone.
"I wish you were here."
Tears filled her eyes.
Then she smiled.
"Finn graduated."
She laughed softly.
"You'd be so proud."
She sat for a long time.
Then stood.
And walked back toward the road.
Enzo was waiting beside his car.
He hadn't followed her to the grave.
He had given her space.
When she reached him, he opened his arms.
Mave stepped into them.
He held her.
No speeches.
No promises.
May you like
Just warmth.
And for once, that was enough.
