Matteo stopped coming to dinner.
The housekeeper, Beatrice, seemed unusually nervous.
One afternoon, Elena found her standing in the kitchen with a telephone in her hand.
"Signora?"
Beatrice looked up.
"Oh, Elena."
"Is something wrong?"
The older woman hesitated.
Then she lowered her voice.
"Stay away from the east wing."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
Elena looked toward the corridor.
"Is Matteo there?"
Beatrice's expression changed.
"Don't say his name."
"Signora, what happened?"
Beatrice took Elena's hand.
"Some things are better left to the men who have power."
Elena gently withdrew her hand.
"That's what I thought four months ago."
Beatrice stared at her.
Then, unexpectedly, she began to cry.
"My husband worked for this family for thirty years," she said. "He died believing the Morettis were still honorable people."
Elena remained silent.
"I don't know what your generation will inherit from us."
Beatrice wiped her face.
"But I know that silence has protected the wrong people for too long."
***
Sofia Bellini arrived at the mansion on a rainy Thursday evening.
She wore a cream-colored coat and carried a small leather handbag.
Giovanni escorted her into the private sitting room.
Alessandro was waiting.
He did not offer her a drink.
"Thank you for coming."
Sofia removed her gloves.
"I wasn't sure I should."
"You were a witness to a document that could transfer control of my father's companies. I think you understand why I wanted to speak with you."
She looked toward the fireplace.
"Matteo told me the papers were legitimate."
"Did you see me sign them?"
"No."
"Did you verify the authorization?"
"No."
"Then why did you sign?"
Sofia looked at him.
"Because I trusted him."
Alessandro remained silent.
"He told me you had become unstable. That you were planning to remove him from the family. He said your father's wishes were being ignored."
"My father has been dead for seven years."
"I know."
"Then why did you believe him?"
Her eyes filled.
"Because I loved him."
Alessandro looked at her for several seconds.
"Do you still?"
Sofia did not answer.
He placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Matteo entering a private hotel with another woman.
Sofia stared at it.
"Who is she?"
"Someone who has been helping him move money."
Sofia picked up the photograph.
Her hand trembled.
"How long?"
"Six months."
She closed her eyes.
Alessandro watched her carefully.
"Is there anything else I should know?"
Sofia hesitated.
Then she reached into her handbag and removed a small envelope.
"Matteo gave me this."
Alessandro opened it.
Inside were copies of private financial records.
And a handwritten note.
The note contained a list of dates, account numbers, and names.
At the bottom was one sentence.
WHEN THE OLD MAN IS GONE, THE HOUSE WILL BELONG TO US.
Alessandro read it without moving.
"Where did you get this?"
"He left it in my apartment."
"Why?"
"He wanted me to keep it safe."
"Did he tell you what it meant?"
Sofia shook her head.
"No. But I heard him talking on the phone last week."
"To whom?"
"I don't know."
"What did he say?"
She looked at him.
"He said the housemaid had become a problem."
Alessandro's expression changed.
Sofia swallowed.
"He said he would take care of her before you discovered what she knew."
***
Elena was in the laundry room when the first scream came from the east wing.
She dropped the folded sheets.
A second sound followed.
Something heavy striking a wall.
Then footsteps.
She stepped into the corridor.
At the far end, one of the security guards was speaking urgently into his radio.
"Lock down the east staircase."
Elena froze.
"What happened?"
The guard turned.
"Go back inside."
"Is someone hurt?"
"Now."
She retreated.
But before she could close the laundry room door, she heard Matteo's voice.
"Where is she?"
The guard did not answer.
Matteo appeared at the end of the corridor.
His suit was wrinkled. His hair was disheveled, and his expression was nothing like the charming smile he wore at dinner.
He saw Elena.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then he smiled.
"There you are."
Elena stepped backward.
"Don Matteo."
"Come here."
She shook her head.
His smile vanished.
"Don't make me ask twice."
A guard moved between them.
"Sir, Don Alessandro has ordered—"
Matteo struck him across the face.
The guard staggered.
Elena ran.
She crossed the service corridor and reached the kitchen.
Someone shouted behind her.
She pushed through the swinging doors, nearly collided with a cook, and hurried toward the main staircase.
A hand caught her arm.
She cried out.
But it was Giovanni.
"Come with me."
"What happened?"
"Matteo has been detained."
"Then why is he here?"
Giovanni looked back toward the corridor.
"Because he escaped."
***
Alessandro was in the private security room when Giovanni brought Elena inside.
Three monitors showed different sections of the mansion.
One showed Matteo entering the east wing.
Another showed him leaving through the service corridor.
The third showed two security guards following him.
Alessandro turned.
"Are you hurt?"
Elena shook her head.
"Did he touch you?"
"No."
"Good."
He looked at Giovanni.
"Where is he?"
"Last seen near the west staircase."
Alessandro took his phone.
"Close every exit."
"Already done."
"Check the underground garage."
"Yes, Don."
Elena stood beside the desk, breathing unevenly.
"Why is he trying to find me?"
Alessandro looked at her.
"Because he believes you have something he needs."
"I don't have anything."
"He believes you know more than you do."
She shook her head.