Chapter 3 - The Secret Vault Beneath the Lake Shore Estate
The mansion emptied out within forty minutes.
Through the tall study windows, I watched the parade of black town cars and luxury SUVs splash through the iron gates into the Chicago night. The high-profile guests had been told that Luca had suffered a sudden family emergency.
In a way, it was the truth.
At eleven o’clock, the study door clicked open.
Luca walked in.
He had removed his tuxedo jacket and undone the top two buttons of his black dress shirt. His hair was slightly disheveled.
He carried a heavy manila folder under his arm.
He set it down on the center desk, then walked straight over to Dr. Adler.
Luca dropped to one knee in front of the old physician’s chair.
It was an astounding gesture.
Luca Moretti, a man before whom billionaires bowed and judges compromised their oaths, knelt before a retired neighborhood doctor.
“Samuel,” Luca said softly.
“Luca,” the old man replied, his eyes watering. “You’ve grown into your father’s shoulders.”
“I’m sorry for how you were received tonight.”
“It wasn't your fault, son. A house with two masters always has a broken door.”
Luca bowed his head for a brief moment. When he looked up, his jaw was set like iron.
“Vanessa claims she knows nothing about the photograph. She claims the family crest was placed on the back by someone trying to frame her father.”
Dr. Adler smiled sadly.
“She’s lying, Luca. Yesterday she offered me fifty thousand dollars in cash to destroy the medical intake logs from nineteen ninety-eight.”
Luca’s eyes darkened to charcoal.
“She did?”
“She did. She told me it was to protect your privacy before your wedding. But I recognized her expression. It was the same look her uncle Victor had when he stood outside my ER that night, waiting to see if you would flatline.”
Luca stood up slowly.
He turned toward me.
I immediately straightened my uniform apron, suddenly aware of how out of place I was in this inner sanctum of power and vengeance.
“Nora.”
“Yes, Mr. Moretti?”
“Why did you stand up to Vanessa tonight?”
The question was direct, without anger, but searching.
“Because she was wrong,” I said honestly. “Dr. Adler had an invitation in your handwriting. He came with respect. She humiliated him because she thought he didn't have the power to fight back.”
Luca watched me for several seconds without blinking.
“Do you know what my family does, Nora?”
“I know what people say,” I replied carefully.
“And you aren't afraid of standing in my study while I uncover a murder plot?”
“I’m more afraid of what happens to honest people when no one speaks up for them,” I said.
A faint, bitter smile touched the corner of Luca’s mouth.
“A rare perspective in this city.”
He walked behind his desk and opened the manila folder.
“Marco.”
Marco stepped into the light from the hallway.
“Boss.”
“Call downstairs. Open the lower vault. I want every Bellini ledger from the past twenty years pulled by midnight.”
“They’re going to notice the servers going down at their brokerage firm,” Marco warned.
“Let them notice,” Luca replied coldly. “I want Victor Bellini to know the wolves are at his fence.”
Luca looked back at Dr. Adler.
“Doctor, you’re staying here tonight. Nora will set you up in the guest suite on the third floor. No one enters that wing without Marco’s clearance.”
“Thank you, Luca,” Dr. Adler murmured.
“Nora,” Luca called as I prepared to escort the doctor out.
“Yes, sir?”
“When you finish settling Dr. Adler, come back down. I need you to help me organize some papers.”
May you like
My heart skipped a beat.
“Yes, Mr. Moretti.”
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