Chapter 12 - BRAKES
The file contained photographs.
Close-ups of Elena's Mercedes.
Brake lines.
Tool marks.
A mechanic's report.
And one invoice.
Two days before the crash, Helena Voss had signed the car into a private service garage owned by a shell company.
Carmine felt physically ill.
Reyes read quietly.
"This isn't proof she cut the brakes."
"No."
"But it's enough to reopen the case."
Leo was taken home under police protection.
Carmine stayed.
He opened more files.
Elena had documented Helena's relationship with Vincent.
Not romantic.
Financial.
Vincent had used Helena to create accounts, bribe inspectors, and move property ownership.
Then Helena began stealing from Vincent too.
When Elena found out, everyone had a reason to silence her.
Anthony.
Vincent.
Helena.
Carmine stared at his father's signature until it blurred.
Reyes said, "Your father died before we can question him."
"Helena is alive."
"And missing."
Then Marcus called.
"We found her."
"Where?"
"Your downtown office."
"Why would she go there?"
"She used an old executive access code."
Carmine knew exactly what was in that office.
The original Moretti corporate archive.
Before he could answer, the building alarm triggered.
Fire.
Carmine drove downtown.
Smoke pushed from the twenty-third-floor windows.
Firefighters blocked the street.
Marcus met him outside.
"She went in ten minutes before the alarm."
"Did she come out?"
"No."
An explosion of glass burst from one window.
People screamed.
Reyes grabbed his arm.
"Do not go in there."
Then Carmine's phone rang.
Helena.
He answered.
She was coughing.
"You found Elena's files."
"Where are you?"
"Ask your brother why he paid me after the funeral."
Carmine looked at Anthony, who had just arrived behind the police line.
"You still don't understand. I didn't kill your wife."
"Then who did?"
Silence.
Then Helena said, "Anthony knows."
May you like
The call ended.
Anthony's face was white.
