The Second Box
Chapter 08 - The Second Box
The sealed birth record was not on the drive. Evelyn had hidden the digital proof, but the original rested in a second box beneath Pier 47. Anna laughed once when she heard it. “Of course there is a second box.” Even Dominic almost looked sorry.
They left Lily at Lucia’s bakery with Margaret, Mrs. Alvarez, and enough guards to make the old woman across the street call three relatives and God. Lily objected. “I found Mr. Moretti first. I should help.” Dominic crouched. “You already did the most important part. You asked the question.”
Back beneath Pier 47, Anna found the second box behind a false brick marked with Paul Carter’s initials and Salvatore’s raven seal. Inside were the sealed birth record, the original trust documents, and a letter addressed to Lily. Anna touched the letter but did not open it.
“She can read it when she’s older,” Dominic said. Anna looked at him. “That may be the wisest thing you’ve said.” “I’ll try not to ruin it.” The moment nearly became a smile.
Then Carlo stepped from the tunnel with six men and Julian Raines beside him, one hand bandaged. “You have caused an impressive amount of inconvenience for a clerk,” Carlo said. Anna lifted the envelope against her chest. “And you’ve caused an impressive amount of crime for a bitter uncle.”
Carlo’s face hardened. Raines raised a gun. Dominic moved in front of Anna, but she stepped beside him. “I’m not his weakness,” she said. “I’m the person holding the deed, the sealed record, the trust, and a copy of the ledger your men failed to steal.”
Red dots appeared on Carlo’s chest, then Raines’s. Agent Vega emerged from the darkness with federal agents. “Carlo Moretti, Julian Raines,” she said, “you are under arrest for conspiracy, attempted kidnapping, obstruction, and several older sins we’ll discuss somewhere with fluorescent lighting.”
Carlo stared at Dominic. “You brought federal agents into family business?” Dominic’s voice was quiet. “You made a child family business.” Raines panicked and lunged toward Anna. Dominic caught him by the throat and slammed him against brick before Vega sharply said his name.
May you like
It should have ended there. But Carlo smiled as agents cuffed him. “You think I was the only one who wanted the child?” he asked. Dominic went still. Carlo looked at Anna. “Ask her grandmother who paid for the miracle treatment.”
Far across the city, at Lucia’s bakery, Margaret Carter disappeared with Lily.
