Chapter 9 - THE LOCKER THAT HELD ELEVEN YEARS
The brass key opened a storage locker in a private facility near Lake Michigan.
Locker seventeen.
Dante arrived with Roman and an attorney.
The facility manager verified the legal authorization before granting access.
Inside were three boxes.
A canvas bag.
And a sealed envelope.
Dante opened the envelope.
Gabriel's handwriting covered the page.
Dante,
If you're reading this, something has happened to me.
I found proof that Nico didn't run away.
Your aunt arranged for him to be taken from the hospital after an injury.
I believe she feared he knew something about your father's death.
I couldn't tell you until I knew where he was.
You would have gone after him.
And they would have used that against you.
Forgive me.
Gabriel.
Dante sat down.
For a long time, he couldn't speak.
Roman stood beside him.
Finally, Dante opened the first box.
Inside were medical records, photographs, correspondence, and copies of transfer documents.
The second box contained financial records showing payments to several private facilities.
The third contained a small wooden toy boat.
Dante recognized it immediately.
He had made it for Nico when they were children.
His hands began shaking.
Roman looked away.
Dante held the boat.
May you like
Then whispered:
“I'm coming, little brother.”
