Chapter 5 - THE MAN WHO BURNED THE RECORDS
The hospital had been abandoned for fourteen years.
Its records were stored in a commercial archive outside Philadelphia.
At 3:12 the previous afternoon, a fire destroyed the archive's east wing.
The timing was too convenient.
Nora knew it.
Dante knew it.
Salvatore knew it.
But suspicion wasn't proof.
Dante hired a licensed investigative firm to reconstruct Agata's disappearance.
Nora insisted on meeting the investigators herself.
She refused to become another secret the Gallo family discussed behind closed doors.
The lead investigator was a woman named Rebecca Shaw.
Forty-two.
Former federal financial-crimes analyst.
Sharp eyes.
A voice that suggested she had little patience for wealthy men who confused influence with authority.
She shook Nora's hand first.
“Miss Rossi.”
“Nora.”
“Then call me Rebecca.”
Dante watched from across the conference table.
Rebecca opened a folder.
“Your grandfather, Pietro Rossi, received regular payments from a company called Northbridge Consulting.”
Nora frowned.
“What company?”
“An entity registered in Delaware. It had no employees and no public business operations.”
“How much?”
Rebecca turned a page.
“Four thousand dollars a month for twenty-five years.”
Nora stared.
“My grandfather barely had enough money for groceries.”
“Most payments were withdrawn in cash.”
Dante leaned forward.
“Who owned Northbridge?”
Rebecca hesitated.
“That's where things become interesting.”
She placed another document on the table.
The company's registered agent had once worked for Gallo Holdings.
Salvatore's organization.
Nora looked at Dante.
He looked genuinely surprised.
Rebecca continued.
“The account was authorized through a trust administered by someone named Leonard Vescari.”
Dante's expression changed.
Nora noticed.
“Who is he?”
Dante was silent.
Then answered:
“My father's attorney.”
Leonard Vescari had represented the Gallo family for thirty-one years.
He handled trusts.
Real estate.
Inheritance disputes.
And the legal arrangements that allowed powerful families to keep their affairs private.
He was also the man who had delivered the letter announcing Agata's death.
That evening, Dante confronted Vescari in his office.
Nora insisted on attending.
Vescari was seventy.
Thin.
Silver-haired.
He wore a dark green tie and an expression of permanent professional disappointment.
Dante placed the financial records on his desk.
“Explain these.”
Vescari glanced down.
Then smiled.
“Old trust distributions.”
“To Pietro Rossi?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Confidential family arrangements.”
Nora stepped forward.
“My family.”
Vescari looked at her.
His smile vanished.
For a moment, he seemed to recognize her.
Then he recovered.
“Miss Rossi.”
She stared.
“You know who I am?”
“Of course. Mr. Gallo informed me.”
Nora shook her head.
“No.”
She stepped closer.
“You recognized me before he said my name.”
Vescari said nothing.
Dante's voice hardened.
“Leonard.”
The attorney folded his hands.
“I suggest you leave.”
Dante stared.
“That's your answer?”
“My answer is that these matters involve privileged information.”
Rebecca, who had accompanied them, spoke from the doorway.
“Privilege doesn't authorize fraud, Mr. Vescari.”
Vescari's face changed.
Then his phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
For one instant, panic crossed his face.
Nora saw it.
May you like
She also saw the message reflected in his polished desk.
THE GIRL MUST NOT FIND AGATA.
