But he asked me to wait until he could prove where the medicine came from.”
I turned toward Adrian.
He had known Lucia witnessed something.
He had protected her.
He had still allowed me to believe my father died naturally.
His expression told me he understood exactly what that cost.
Inspector Riva placed a signed statement beside the ledger.
“Dr.
Salvi was questioned last night.
He admits accepting money from Antonio Cardelli to obtain unregistered digoxin through a private pharmacy.
He claims he believed the drug was intended for an overseas client.”
“Convenient,” Adrian said.
“Extremely,” the inspector replied.
“He also identified the person who first contacted him.”
Victoria leaned back.
“Let me guess.
Another witness Adrian purchased.”
“The initial contact came from your private number,” Inspector Riva said.
Bellini lowered himself into his chair.
One of the directors whispered a curse.
Victoria did not look frightened.
She looked offended, as if the evidence had committed a breach of etiquette.
“Phones can be copied.
Records can be manipulated.
Adrian DeLuca has people in every port, every bank, every police office in this city.
You all know what he is.”
The word she refused to say hung in the room.
Mafia.
Adrian did not deny his reputation.
He simply looked at the investigator.
“Were the records provided by me?”
“No,” Inspector Riva said.
“They were obtained under warrant from the telecommunications provider.”
Victoria’s eyes moved around the table, searching for the obedience that had always returned when she needed it.
It did not return.
Matteo Cardelli stood.
His face had become gray beneath his expensive tan.
“There’s one more recording,”
he said.
My mother turned toward him so slowly that the air seemed to freeze.
“Sit down.”
He remained standing.
“My father confessed before he died.
Not formally.
Not enough for the police.
He said Marco discovered the false shipping accounts and planned to remove both families from the port contracts.
He said you told him Marco had to be made too sick to attend the emergency board vote.”
“Your father was medicated and confused.”
“He was terrified of you.”
Matteo removed his phone from his jacket.
“Last night, after the gala, you came to my room and told me to burn the page containing the pharmacy transfer.
I recorded you.”
For the first time, Victoria looked afraid.
She moved toward him.
Inspector Riva stepped between them.
