Chapter 9 - The Dinner That Became a Trap)
Domenico canceled the foundation dinner.
Then he reconsidered.
Valentina expected him to cancel.
Adrian expected chaos.
Marcus expected everyone to panic.
For three years, their plan had depended on Domenico reacting emotionally.
So he did something they did not expect.
He held the dinner.
By seven o'clock, eighty guests filled the ballroom.
Security was doubled.
Plainclothes officers stood among caterers and donors.
Ruby was supposed to remain upstairs with Rosa.
She refused.
"I want to stay with you."
Domenico looked at her.
"Little bird, tonight might be dangerous."
"So was last night."
He did not have an answer.
Ruby touched his hand.
"Mommy said hiding doesn't make bad people disappear."
Domenico glanced at Rosa.
"Did you teach her that?"
Rosa shook her head.
"Lucia."
Domenico crouched.
"You stay beside me."
Ruby nodded.
"If I tell you to go with Rosa, you go."
"Okay."
"If Daniel tells you to move, you move."
"Okay."
"And no matter what happens, none of this is your fault."
Ruby looked confused.
"I know."
The simplicity of the answer broke something inside him.
He kissed her forehead.
At 7:43, a waiter approached Domenico.
"Mr. Moretti. Package at the service entrance."
Inside the package was the silver blue bird key.
No message.
Domenico immediately called Shaw.
She examined the wrapping.
"No prints."
"Marcus?"
"Maybe."
"Valentina?"
"Maybe."
Domenico looked toward the ballroom.
Ruby sat with Rosa.
"Someone wants me to open the box."
Shaw nodded.
"Then assume someone wants to know what happens after you do."
They returned to Lucia's dressing room.
The key fit the music box.
Domenico turned it.
The mechanism clicked.
A hidden drawer opened beneath the base.
Inside was a slip of paper containing twelve numbers.
And a tiny memory card.
Shaw looked at him.
"The vault number."
"Probably."
"What about the card?"
Daniel brought a secure laptop.
They inserted it.
One audio file appeared.
Domenico pressed play.
Lucia's voice filled the room.
"Domenico, if you are hearing this, I probably failed to tell you in person."
Domenico closed his eyes.
Ruby, standing at the doorway, froze.
It was her mother's voice.
Lucia continued.
"Marcus is stealing from the company, but he isn't alone. Adrian is moving the money. Valentina knows. I confronted them today."
A pause.
Lucia sounded frightened.
"I thought this was financial crime. It isn't anymore."
Domenico opened his eyes.
"They followed me to Ruby's school."
Ruby gripped Rosa's hand.
"I am taking copies to Bellweather tomorrow. The originals will be placed somewhere they cannot reach without the number in this box."
Another pause.
Then Lucia said something none of them expected.
"If anything happens to me, do not let Valentina near Ruby."
Domenico turned toward the door.
Ruby's face had gone white.
The recording continued.
"She knows Ruby saw us arguing in the garage. She believes Ruby is too young to remember. I hope she is right."
A noise interrupted Lucia.
Then her voice returned, quieter.
"There's one more thing. Someone has been inside the house. Someone moved Ruby's blanket. Someone searched my desk."
A doorbell rang faintly in the recording.
Lucia whispered, "They're here."
The audio ended.
Domenico stared at the screen.
Shaw immediately said, "This is evidence."
Domenico stood motionless.
Ruby whispered, "Mommy knew."
He crossed the room and knelt in front of her.
"Yes."
"Did she know she was going to die?"
His eyes burned.
"I don't know."
Ruby started crying.
For once she did not hide it.
Domenico held her.
Rosa turned away, wiping her own eyes.
Then Daniel's radio crackled.
"Movement at the east gate."
Everyone froze.
"Vehicle approaching. Black sedan."
Daniel answered.
"Identification?"
A guard replied.
"Adrian Cole."
Domenico stood.
Another voice came through.
"Second vehicle behind him."
"Who?"
Pause.
"Valentina Russo."
Shaw looked at Domenico.
"They came back together."
Domenico's expression hardened.
"Good."
They returned downstairs.
Guests were quietly moved toward the west wing under the excuse of a security issue.
Domenico remained near the banquet table.
Ruby sat at the far end.
Valentina entered first.
She wore a black evening gown.
Marcus appeared through another doorway moments later.
Domenico stared.
"You left the hospital."
Marcus smiled.
"Against advice."
Adrian entered last.
He looked exhausted.
Domenico finally understood.
They had not come to surrender.
They had come for the vault number.
Valentina's eyes found Ruby.
Then the pink blanket folded beside the child's chair.
"You opened the box," she said.
Domenico did not answer.
Marcus stepped closer.
"We can make this easy."
Domenico laughed once.
"Easy?"
Adrian looked toward the exits.
"What did Lucia leave?"
Domenico folded his hands.
"Enough."
Valentina's confidence wavered.
Ruby watched her.
Then Valentina noticed the small suitcase beside Ruby.
It had been brought down by Rosa as part of the plan.
Valentina assumed what they wanted her to assume.
That the evidence was inside.
She grabbed the suitcase.
Ruby gasped.
Valentina hurled it across the table toward her.
"You can sleep in the storage room."
The suitcase burst open on the marble.
At that exact moment, Domenico stepped through the doorway.
"What the hell is this?"
May you like
Marcus moved between them.
And the trap snapped shut.
