Chapter 7 - THE SECOND ENVELOPE
The investigation moved quickly after Vanessa's statement. Authorities obtained records from the consulting company and the private airfield. Peter Lang was located in a neighboring state and returned to Chicago for questioning. Richard Bellini and Arthur Bell were also under investigation.
But the threat against Emma's father remained unexplained.
One afternoon, Robert received a plain envelope at the rehabilitation center. It contained a photograph of Emma leaving the Moretti mansion and a second note:
YOUR EMPLOYER CANNOT PROTECT EVERYONE.
Robert handed it to Nathan, who immediately called his sister.
Emma was at the estate, meeting with the house manager about her leave. When she heard the news, she felt the room tilt.
“Is Dad okay?”
“He's frightened,” Nathan said. “He wants you home.”
“I'll come.”
Luca heard enough to understand. “Marco will take you.”
“I don't want to bring this into your house.”
“It's already connected to the investigation. Let us help keep your family safe.”
“I can't keep hiding behind your security.”
“You're not hiding. You're taking a sensible precaution while someone is making threats.”
Marco's team reviewed the rehabilitation center's visitor log. A man had signed in under a false name the previous afternoon. The camera showed him leaving an envelope at reception. The center's manager confirmed that he had asked for Robert's room number.
The visitor was identified as an associate of Richard Bellini. Authorities were notified. The man was located and questioned. He admitted delivering the envelope but claimed he had been paid to frighten Emma into withdrawing her statement.
The payment trail led back to a company controlled by Richard.
Emma read the report in silence.
“So he threatened my father because I told the truth.”
Luca nodded. “Yes.”
“I wish I'd never seen that plate.”
“I don't.”
May you like
She looked up.
“Because you saw something wrong and chose not to ignore it,” he said. “The responsibility belongs to the people who created the danger, not the person who noticed it.”
