Chapter 13 - Adriano's Last Debt
The name was Luca Romano.
Adriano read it again.
Impossible.
Beatrice saw his face.
“What?”
He showed her.
She shook her head.
“Could someone be framing him?”
“Yes.”
“Do you believe it?”
“I don't know.”
They didn't confront Luca.
Instead, Adriano audited twelve years of records.
Nothing.
Luca had protected him repeatedly.
Then Beatrice noticed something.
The photograph of Theo had been taken from inside the rehabilitation building.
Only family, medical staff and cleared security could enter.
Luca had clearance.
So did several Sarti security officers.
They reviewed footage.
Luca appeared.
But he wasn't photographing Theo.
He was confronting someone.
Mrs. Finch.
The house manager.
Beatrice stared.
Mrs. Finch had worked for the Sartis for twenty years.
She had access to everything.
The mansion.
Schedules.
Staff.
Adriano's study.
She was also Lorenzo's cousin.
Nobody had considered her.
They found her apartment empty.
Inside were photographs.
Records.
And one final ledger.
Mrs. Finch had managed Lorenzo's finances.
When Lorenzo disappeared, she continued protecting the network.
She had planted suspicions around Beatrice.
She had helped Marcus enter the mansion.
And now she wanted revenge.
Luca had discovered her hours earlier and followed.
His phone was found smashed near the lake.
Adriano's pulse accelerated.
“Where is he?”
A call came.
Mrs. Finch.
“Bring Mara's ledger.”
“You know federal agents have it.”
“Bring the copy.”
“Where is Luca?”
A groan sounded.
Alive.
“Come alone.”
Adriano agreed.
Beatrice stared at him after the call.
“You literally learned this lesson two chapters ago.”
Despite everything, he almost smiled.
“I wasn't planning to go alone.”
Police tracked the call.
An old Sarti boathouse.
Mrs. Finch held Luca inside.
Adriano entered carrying a false drive.
She laughed.
“Your father always said sentiment would ruin you.”
“My father was wrong about many things.”
“He built you.”
“No.”
Adriano thought of Theo.
Beatrice.
Mara.
Even Luca.
“He built a cage. I stayed in it.”
Mrs. Finch raised her gun.
“And now?”
“Now I'm leaving.”
Luca kicked the chair beneath him into her legs.
Adriano moved.
Police entered.
One shot fired into the ceiling.
Then it was over.
Mrs. Finch was arrested.
Luca survived.
Outside, Beatrice waited beside Mara.
Adriano walked toward them.
Beatrice slapped his arm.
“Ow.”
“That was for entering first.”
“Police were behind me.”
“Still counts.”
Then she hugged him.
He froze.
Slowly, he put his arms around her.
Mara smiled.
Luca, being loaded into an ambulance, shouted, “Finally.”
Beatrice pulled away.
Adriano glared at him.
Luca looked delighted with himself.
For the first time, danger truly began to recede.
But consequences remained.
Adriano's final federal hearing was scheduled.
Theo's rehabilitation continued.
Mara began therapy.
Beatrice quit the diner.
Then the laundry.
She kept working at the mansion for exactly three more days.
On the fourth, Adriano found her removing her apron.
“You're firing me?”
“I don't think employees fire employers.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I quit.”
He nodded.
“Good.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“You're supposed to be upset.”
“I've been trying to figure out how to ask you to quit without sounding like an arrogant man trying to control your life.”
“You failed by telling me that.”
“Probably.”
She folded the apron.
“What will you do?”
“I've been offered a job.”
“Where?”
“Mercy General.”
He blinked.
“Doing what?”
“Patient-family advocacy.”
She smiled.
“Apparently I have experience arguing with billing departments.”
He laughed.
It was perfect.
Months earlier she had sat under fluorescent lights with nine dollars in checking.
Now she would help families sitting in the same chairs.
Theo's therapist called that afternoon.
“Come quickly.”
Beatrice panicked.
“What happened?”
“Nothing bad.”
They reached rehabilitation.
Theo stood between parallel bars.
Beatrice covered her mouth.
His legs trembled.
Dr. Anand stood nearby.
“Don't rush him.”
Theo looked at Beatrice.
“Watch.”
One foot moved.
Then the other.
A tiny step.
Beatrice sobbed.
Theo grinned.
“Excellent toe, right?”
She laughed through tears.
“The best.”
Adriano stood behind her.
Theo took another step.
Then another.
Suddenly, an alarm sounded.
Not medical.
Security.
A federal agent entered.
“Mr. Sarti.”
Adriano turned.
“We need you immediately.”
“Why?”
The agent's expression was grave.
“Your father escaped custody.”
May you like
Beatrice's smile vanished.
Then the rehabilitation room door slowly opened behind Theo.
