Chapter 13 - THE TAPE
Z
St. Michael’s had been abandoned after a fire.
Its stone walls survived.
Most of the roof had not.
Rain fell through broken beams onto old wooden pews.
Marco arrived with Daniel and six men.
Claire was supposed to remain in the SUV.
She lasted three minutes.
“You knew she wouldn’t stay,” Daniel said when she appeared.
Marco looked furious.
Claire lifted both hands.
“I’m predictable.”
“That does not make it better.”
“No. But it saves time.”
Marco stared at her.
Then removed his coat and put it around her shoulders.
“That was not forgiveness.”
“I know.”
Inside the church, Rosario’s directions led them to the sacristy.
Nobody was there.
Only a cassette recorder.
Marco stopped.
Claire recognized the tape from her mother’s bank box.
Except this one was marked:
OCTOBER 17, 2000.
The date Lucia Keane died.
Marco pressed play.
Static filled the room.
Then Mara’s voice.
Claire gripped the edge of a table.
She had forgotten exactly how her mother sounded.
Hearing her again felt impossible.
“Lucia, slow down.”
Another woman answered.
Marco’s mother.
He turned pale.
“They know,” Lucia said on the recording. “Antonio knows Patrick suspects him.”
Mara replied, “Then take Marco.”
“I am.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
Marco closed his eyes.
Lucia continued.
“Patrick won’t come. He says leaving looks weak.”
Mara’s voice became angry.
“Then let him look strong alone.”
Claire glanced at Marco.
His jaw trembled once.
The tape continued.
Lucia whispered, “If something happens, tell my son I tried.”
Marco turned away.
Claire’s heart broke.
Then another voice entered the recording.
Male.
Antonio Bianchi.
“You ladies should be more careful with secrets.”
A struggle.
Lucia screamed.
The tape cut.
Marco stared at the machine.
For thirty seconds, nobody moved.
Then applause echoed from the church nave.
Victor stepped from the shadows.
Alone.
Apparently.
“Touching.”
Marco’s hand went toward his weapon.
Victor smiled.
“Don’t.”
Red laser sights appeared across Marco’s chest.
Claire counted at least four.
Daniel cursed.
Victor walked closer.
“My father always underestimated Mara.”
Claire stepped beside Marco.
“And apparently you inherited that too.”
Victor looked amused.
“You are much more troublesome than your mother.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You shouldn’t.”
Marco’s voice was cold.
“What do you want?”
Victor looked around the ruined church.
“To correct history.”
“You’ve had twenty years.”
“And you spent twenty years turning a dynasty into a corporation.”
“You sound jealous.”
Victor’s smile vanished.
“My father built half your power.”
“Your father stole half my father’s money.”
“Details.”
Claire almost laughed.
Victor looked at her.
“You think Marco is different?”
Claire said nothing.
“He still orders men beaten. He still makes people disappear. He still profits from fear.”
Marco did not deny it.
Victor continued.
“You kiss him and suddenly he becomes good?”
Claire’s face heated.
Marco glanced at her.
“This is a surprisingly personal hostage situation,” she muttered.
Victor frowned.
Claire shrugged.
“Nervous humor.”
Marco almost smiled.
Victor raised a gun.
“Enough.”
Daniel shifted.
A laser moved to his forehead.
Victor looked at Marco.
“Give me Mara’s evidence.”
“It’s already with federal prosecutors.”
For the first time, Victor’s confidence cracked.
“You’re lying.”
“No.”
“You would expose yourself.”
“Yes.”
Victor stared.
Marco continued.
“You spent your life believing everyone wanted power as badly as you.”
“I know you.”
“No. You knew my father.”
Victor’s hand tightened around the weapon.
“You destroyed everything.”
Marco shook his head.
“No.”
He looked at Claire.
“She did.”
Victor turned the gun toward Claire.
Marco moved instantly.
“Don’t.”
Something in his voice changed the whole room.
Victor smiled.
“There he is.”
Claire understood.
Victor wanted Marco angry.
Wanted him violent.
Wanted him predictable.
She placed a hand on Marco’s arm.
“Don’t give him what he wants.”
Victor laughed.
“She thinks she can control you.”
“No,” Marco said.
“She reminds me I can control myself.”
Victor’s expression twisted.
Then gunfire erupted outside.
Federal agents.
Daniel smiled.
“Surprise.”
Victor spun.
One of his hidden shooters fired.
Chaos exploded.
Marco pulled Claire behind a stone column.
Daniel returned fire.
Federal agents entered from both sides.
Victor ran toward the rear exit.
Claire saw him disappear through the rain.
“Marco.”
“I see him.”
Marco started after him.
Then stopped.
Claire stared.
“You’re letting him go?”
“No.”
He looked toward the federal agents.
“I’m letting them catch him.”
A gunshot sounded outside.
Then shouting.
Minutes later, agents dragged Victor back into the church.
His expensive coat was covered in mud.
He looked at Marco with pure hatred.
“You coward.”
Marco stepped closer.
Victor expected violence.
So did everyone.
Marco merely said, “My mother tried to teach me when to leave.”
Victor laughed bitterly.
“She failed.”
Marco looked at the cassette recorder.
“No.”
May you like
His eyes moved to Claire.
“She just needed somebody to remind me.”
