Chapter 10 - THE NIGHT VESCARI CAME TO DINNER
Leonard Vescari arrived at La Cattedrale wearing a navy suit and the expression of a man who believed money could still solve his problems.
He had requested a private meeting with Salvatore.
Dante insisted Rebecca attend.
Nora and Agata remained nearby.
Vescari sat at the same table where Nora had first answered Salvatore in Sicilian.
The irony wasn't lost on anyone.
Salvatore looked at him.
“Leonard.”
Vescari smiled.
“Salvatore.”
“You've been stealing from my family.”
Vescari's smile faded.
“That's a serious accusation.”
Rebecca placed financial records on the table.
“Then you'll have an opportunity to address it through counsel.”
Vescari looked at her.
“Who are you?”
“Someone who reads bank statements.”
Dante stood near the door.
Vescari glanced toward him.
Then toward Nora.
His expression changed.
“So it's true.”
Nora stared.
“What?”
“You found Agata.”
Nora felt cold.
Salvatore leaned forward.
“You knew she was alive.”
Vescari said nothing.
Salvatore's voice became quieter.
“You let me bury my daughter in my mind.”
Vescari looked away.
Agata stepped into the room.
Vescari froze.
For the first time, his composure cracked.
“Agata.”
She stared at him.
“You told me my daughter died.”
He swallowed.
“Agata, please—”
“You told my father I died.”
Vescari stood.
Dante moved toward the door.
“Sit down.”
Vescari looked around.
Then laughed bitterly.
“You think you understand what happened?”
Salvatore stared.
“Explain it.”
Vescari's expression hardened.
“Your family was tearing itself apart. Your daughter wanted to expose the financial arrangements. Your son was too young to understand the consequences.”
Dante stepped forward.
“And you decided to make them disappear?”
Vescari looked at him.
“I protected what your father built.”
Salvatore struck the table with his cane.
“No.”
The room fell silent.
“You protected yourself.”
Vescari's eyes narrowed.
Then he looked at Nora.
“You have no idea how many people will suffer if those records become public.”
Nora met his gaze.
“Then they should have thought about that before they committed the crimes.”
Vescari smiled coldly.
“You sound like your father.”
Nora went still.
“You knew him.”
Vescari nodded.
“Yes.”
“What happened to him?”
Vescari's smile disappeared.
He looked toward the door.
May you like
Then whispered:
“Daniel Rossi should have stopped asking questions.”
