Chapter 8 - The Traitor in the Costa House
Vivian refused to believe it.
“Dad wouldn’t betray us.”
Edmund did not accuse Victor.
That almost made it worse.
“He went to Pier Seven,” he said.
“That doesn’t mean—”
“I know.”
Evelyn untied the last rope.
“He may have been forced.”
Gabriel entered.
“Or he may finally be doing what he should have done fifteen years ago.”
Vivian turned.
“What does that mean?”
“Victor knew more than he admitted.”
Evelyn looked at Gabriel.
“Stop.”
“No.”
Gabriel faced Vivian.
“Your father helped Salvatore establish Aurelia’s first offshore accounts.”
Vivian felt numb.
“He said Mom founded it.”
“She did. Victor handled the finances.”
Evelyn stepped forward.
“He didn’t know what Salvatore was doing.”
“At first,” Gabriel said.
Vivian looked at her mother.
“At first?”
Evelyn closed her eyes.
“Victor discovered the truth months before I did.”
“And said nothing?”
“He was afraid.”
Vivian laughed bitterly.
That sounded like her father.
Fear had shaped his entire life.
“He thought he could quietly get us out,” Evelyn continued. “Then Salvatore threatened you.”
“So Dad cooperated.”
“For a while.”
“How long?”
“Long enough to hate himself.”
Vivian turned toward the door.
“Then I’m going to Pier Seven.”
Edmund did not argue.
This time he simply followed.
Rain began as they approached the harbor.
The Aurelia towered beside Pier Seven.
Containers lined the deck.
Engines running.
Departure imminent.
Police could not be trusted.
Neither could port security.
Gabriel had contacted federal agents, but they were twenty minutes away.
The ship could leave in ten.
Edmund looked at Vivian.
“You stay in the armored car.”
She stared at him.
He sighed.
“Worth trying.”
They entered through a service gate.
Gabriel took the western ramp.
Edmund and Vivian moved through stacked containers.
Then they heard crying.
A child.
Vivian stopped.
Another cry.
She approached a blue container.
Locked.
Edmund broke the seal.
Inside were families.
Terrified.
Alive.
Vivian’s face hardened.
“No more waiting.”
Edmund called Gabriel.
“Start opening containers.”
They freed people as quietly as possible.
Then floodlights snapped on.
A voice boomed from speakers.
“Always dramatic, Edmund.”
Salvatore.
Edmund stepped into the open.
“Show yourself.”
An old man appeared on the upper deck.
Silver hair.
Black coat.
Alive.
Beside him stood Victor.
Vivian whispered, “Dad.”
Victor’s hands were bound.
Relief hit her.
He had not betrayed them.
Salvatore smiled.
“My daughter-in-law.”
Vivian hated the words.
“You tried to kill us.”
“No. If I wanted you dead, you would be.”
“Your second sniper disagrees.”
Salvatore’s smile faded.
“An employee exceeded instructions.”
Edmund raised his gun.
“Let Victor go.”
“Bring me the ledger.”
“You know it was fake.”
“I do.”
“Then you know the real one is already beyond your reach.”
For the first time, Salvatore looked concerned.
Gabriel’s voice came from another platform.
“It’s over, Father.”
Salvatore turned.
His face changed.
“Gabriel.”
“Disappointed?”
“You always were sentimental.”
“And you always mistook cruelty for strength.”
Salvatore laughed.
“Look at you both. Fighting over a Moretti woman again.”
Vivian frowned.
Again?
Edmund looked at Gabriel.
Salvatore saw it.
“Oh. He never told you?”
“Shut up,” Gabriel said.
Salvatore smiled wider.
“Gabriel loved Evelyn.”
Victor’s face tightened.
Evelyn had never mentioned that.
Salvatore continued.
“He betrayed his own family for her.”
Gabriel aimed his weapon.
“I betrayed you for innocent people.”
“Tell yourself that.”
Sirens sounded faintly.
Federal agents.
Salvatore glanced toward the harbor.
Then pressed a remote.
Explosions rocked the pier.
Flames erupted behind them.
The ship began pulling away.
“Edmund!” Vivian shouted.
He grabbed her as the dock shook.
Salvatore dragged Victor toward the bridge.
Gabriel jumped aboard before the gangway separated.
Edmund followed.
Vivian ran.
“Stay!”
She ignored him and jumped.
Edmund caught her.
“You are insane.”
“You married me.”
“Worst strategic decision of my life.”
They ran toward the bridge.
Below them, agents swarmed the pier.
Above, Gabriel disappeared through a door.
A gunshot sounded.
Then another.
Edmund reached the bridge.
Empty.
Blood on the floor.
Victor’s broken cuff link.
Vivian picked it up.
A trail of blood led toward the captain’s quarters.
She reached for the handle.
May you like
It was already unlocked from the inside.
Someone was breathing on the other side.
