He gave her the privacy she needed.
***
While Elena remained at the hospital, Alessandro began dismantling Vittorio's network.
He did not start with the men.
He started with the money.
A series of accounts linked to the Naples shipping operations were frozen through legitimate legal channels. A lawyer in Milan received copies of financial documents. An independent investigator was hired to trace the old transactions.
Within forty-eight hours, three companies had been exposed as fronts.
Within seventy-two, one of Vittorio's closest associates disappeared.
Not permanently.
He turned up at a police station in New Jersey, asking for protection.
His name was Marco DeLuca.
He had served Vittorio for sixteen years.
He had also helped arrange Antonio Rossi's death.
Alessandro met him in a private office.
Luca stood behind the chair.
Marco looked exhausted.
"You said I would be safe."
"You are safe."
"Your brother knows I came here."
"Then he should be worried."
Marco swallowed.
"You don't understand. Vittorio has people everywhere."
"I understand."
"He knows about the documents."
Alessandro leaned forward.
"Where are they?"
"I don't know."
"Don't lie to me."
"I swear."
Alessandro studied him.
"Who killed Antonio?"
Marco looked down.
"Vittorio arranged it."
"Who drove the car?"
"A man named Salvatore."
"Where is he?"
"Dead."
"Who gave the order?"
Marco hesitated.
Then he whispered:
"Vittorio."
Alessandro remained motionless.
"Why?"
"Antonio was going to testify. He had the account records. He knew about the payments to the rival families."
"Did Vittorio know I was protecting him?"
Marco nodded.
"Yes."
Alessandro's jaw tightened.
"Did he know Antonio had a daughter?"
"Yes."
"Did he know where she lived?"
Marco looked away.
"Yes."
The room became silent.
Alessandro stood.
"Get him out of here."
Luca took Marco away.
Alessandro remained by the window.
He had wanted proof.
Now he had it.
And it was worse than he had imagined.
Vittorio had not simply ordered Antonio's death.
He had known that Elena and her mother were left behind.
He had known they were vulnerable.
And he had done nothing.
Alessandro picked up his phone.
"Find Elena."
***
Elena was sitting beside Daniel's bed when Luca called.
"Miss Rossi."
"What is it?"
"We found someone who knows what happened to your father."
She stood immediately.
"Who?"
"Marco DeLuca."
"Where is he?"
"Under protection."
"Can I speak to him?"
"Not yet."
"Why?"
"Because your name came up in the conversation."
Elena's stomach tightened.
"What did he say?"
"He confirmed that Vittorio ordered your father's murder."
She closed her eyes.
For eleven years, she had imagined the moment when she would finally learn the truth.
She had imagined anger.
Relief.
A sense of justice.
Instead, she felt empty.
Her father had been murdered.
Not by a stranger.
Not by an accident.
By a man who had sat across from him at business meetings and called him friend.
"Did Alessandro know?" she asked.
"He suspected."
"That isn't what I asked."
Luca hesitated.
"He knew Vittorio was corrupt. He did not know the full extent of what happened until now."
Elena looked toward Daniel.
"Can I speak to Alessandro?"
"He's waiting."
***
Alessandro met her at a small private restaurant near the hospital.
No guests.
No music.
No unnecessary staff.
Just a table, two chairs, and a window overlooking the river.
Elena arrived wearing a black coat and carrying her father's photograph.
She placed it on the table.
"Tell me everything."
Alessandro nodded.
"Marco DeLuca has confirmed that Vittorio ordered your father's murder."
Elena looked at him.
"Did you already know?"
"I suspected."
"How long?"
"Eleven years."
She laughed softly.
"Eleven years."
"I know."
"No, you don't."
She sat down.
"You knew my father had been murdered. You knew your brother was responsible. And you let him live."
Alessandro did not defend himself.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because I thought I could control him."
"Did you think my father could be brought back if you controlled him?"
"No."
"Did you think my mother would stop grieving?"
"No."
"Then what did you think?"
He looked at her.
"I thought I could save the family."
Elena stared.
"Your family."
Alessandro lowered his eyes.
"Yes."
She leaned forward.
"My father had a family too."
The words struck harder than any accusation.
Alessandro nodded.
"I know."
"Do you?"
He looked at her.
"I have spent eleven years knowing that I failed him. I don't expect you to forgive me."
"Good."
"But I want to help you get justice."
"Justice?"
She shook her head.
"Your world has a strange definition of justice."
"Then tell me yours."
"Evidence. A trial. A public record. A man who has to answer for what he did."
Alessandro looked at her for a long time.
"You want the police."
"I want the truth to survive after your family stops being powerful."
He nodded.
"Then that is what we'll do."
Elena watched him carefully.
"Even if it destroys the Morettis?"
Alessandro's answer came without hesitation.
"Especially if it destroys what deserves to fall."
***
The next clue came from an unexpected place.
Daniel.