Adrian stood.
"You're going to give a full statement."
The manager nodded.
"Yes."
"And you're going to tell the police everything."
"Yes."
Adrian paused at the door.
"One more thing."
The manager looked up.
"Who owns this hotel?"
The manager swallowed.
"The Bellgrave Holdings Group."
Adrian turned.
"And who owns that?"
The manager hesitated.
Then he gave him the answer.
"Vittorio Moretti."
***
At nine that morning, Salvatore D'Angelo entered the Bellgrave Hotel through the main entrance.
He was dressed in a dark gray suit and carried a silver-headed cane.
Two bodyguards followed.
He walked past the reception desk without looking at the staff.
The hotel had become quieter than usual.
The polished marble floor reflected the morning light.
At the far end of the lobby, Adrian Moretti stood beside a window.
Salvatore stopped.
"Adrian."
"Salvatore."
The older man smiled.
"I heard you had an unpleasant evening."
Adrian looked at the cane.
"You're getting old."
"Everyone gets old."
"Not everyone gets the chance."
Salvatore laughed softly.
"Still your father's son."
Adrian did not respond.
Salvatore glanced around the lobby.
"Where is Vittorio?"
"Not here."
"That's unfortunate. I came to see him."
"Why?"
"Business."
Adrian stepped away from the window.
"Your business with my family is finished."
Salvatore's expression became more serious.
"That's a dangerous statement."
"Then consider it a warning."
Salvatore looked at Marco.
Then Enzo.
Finally, he returned his attention to Adrian.
"You've discovered some old documents. I understand."
"Good."
"You think they tell the whole story."
"They tell enough."
Salvatore leaned on his cane.
"Your father was a difficult man. He wanted to change things that were never meant to change."
"Is that why you killed him?"
Salvatore's smile faded.
"Careful."
"Did you order the accident?"
Salvatore looked toward the reception desk.
A clerk was pretending to rearrange some papers.
The older man lowered his voice.
"Your father and I had an agreement."
"My father never agreed to be murdered."
"Your father made choices."
"So did you."
Salvatore's eyes hardened.
"Do you think you're a better man than I am?"
"No."
Adrian stepped closer.
"I think I'm finally tired of pretending that men like you deserve to decide what happens to everyone else."
Salvatore studied him.
Then he laughed.
"You have no idea how many people depend on the arrangements you're about to destroy."
"Then perhaps they should find honest work."
"You're going to bring the authorities into everything?"
"Yes."
"Your own organization?"
"Yes."
"Your own accounts?"
"Yes."
Salvatore shook his head.
"Your father would be ashamed."
Adrian looked at him.
"My father would have been ashamed of you."
For a moment, Salvatore seemed unable to answer.
Then he smiled again.
"There's one thing you should understand."
He leaned closer.
"Vittorio was not the only man who knew what happened to Lorenzo."
Adrian's expression remained still.
Salvatore continued.
"Your father was betrayed before the accident. By someone he loved."
"Who?"
Salvatore smiled.
"Ask your uncle."
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"What are you talking about?"
Salvatore straightened.
"Ask him why Lorenzo was alone that night."
He turned toward the entrance.
His bodyguards followed.
Adrian remained where he was.
Marco approached.
"Do you believe him?"
Adrian looked toward the door.
"I believe he wants us to."
***
Vittorio was being held in a private room at the estate.
He had not been arrested.
Not yet.
Adrian wanted the truth before the police took him away.
When Adrian entered, Vittorio was standing beside the window.
"You spoke to Salvatore."
Adrian stopped.
"How do you know?"
"He called me."
"Why?"
"To tell me you were becoming a problem."
Adrian placed his hands in his pockets.
"He said my father was betrayed before he died."
Vittorio turned.
"Salvatore enjoys making people doubt one another."
"Was my father alone that night?"
Vittorio said nothing.
Adrian stepped closer.
"Who was with him?"
"Your father had a meeting."
"With whom?"
Vittorio looked away.
"Your mother."
Adrian froze.
"My mother?"
"She knew he was planning to leave."
"Why?"
"Because he told her."
Adrian shook his head.
"You're lying."
Vittorio sighed.
"Your mother was afraid."
"Of what?"
"Of losing everything. Of being hunted. Of watching her son grow up without a father."
Adrian's expression changed.
"Don't bring my mother into this."
"She begged Lorenzo to abandon the plan."
"And?"
"He refused."
Vittorio looked at the floor.
"She told me where he was going."
Adrian stared at him.
"You used her?"
"No."
"Did you tell Salvatore?"
Vittorio closed his eyes.