Chapter 10 - Enzo's Confession
Chicago expected Enzo Marchetti to threaten someone.
He did not.
He stood at a plain podium outside his attorney's office.
No family crest.
No black SUVs in frame.
"At twenty-three, I signed an order that allowed Gabriel Vescari to be taken to Warehouse 9 for internal questioning. I believed he had stolen from a medical fund. I did not verify that claim. I did not ask what happened after he was taken."
Reporters shouted.
Enzo raised one hand.
"That failure is mine."
He continued.
He acknowledged his criminal history without detailing active matters beyond counsel's instructions.
He acknowledged the Marchetti port businesses had mixed legal and illegal revenue in earlier years.
He announced he was stepping down from every medical-foundation role and would place the foundation under independent administration.
He also said he would cooperate with federal investigators regarding Gabriel's detention and the medical fund.
Arthur Ashford called it theater.
It was not theater when federal prosecutors opened additional files.
Enzo's own lawyers looked ill.
Marco asked him later, "Do you plan to go to prison voluntarily?"
Enzo poured coffee.
"I plan to stop deciding which truth is convenient."
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one I have."
Adeline watched the press conference from Teresa's sitting room.
She did not forgive him.
She did believe him.
Those were different things.
Then Camilla called Adeline directly.
Adeline nearly refused.
Her lawyer advised a recorded, counsel-present call.
Camilla's voice sounded different.
Smaller.
"My father is going to destroy me."
Adeline said, "He taught you well."
Camilla did not argue.
"He says the riding crop incident proves I was unstable."
Adeline closed her eyes.
Of course.
Arthur's defense had reached his own daughter.
Camilla continued.
"He has psychiatric records."
"Real?"
"Some."
"And some not?"
"I don't know."
Adeline almost laughed.
Everybody eventually met the system they helped build.
"What do you want from me?"
"I have the engagement amendment. The liability-transfer agreement Enzo was supposed to sign after the wedding."
"Give it to prosecutors."
"I will."
"Then why call me?"
Silence.
"Because there's a signature on it."
Adeline felt cold.
"Whose?"
"Gabriel Vescari."
Impossible.
The amendment was drafted fifteen years after Gabriel died.
Camilla sent the scan.
At the bottom, under Historical Fund Consent, was Gabriel's signature.
A perfect copy.
Arthur had planned to use the dead accountant's forged signature again to certify that all old claims had been properly reconciled.
The same dead man would be made to approve the destruction of his own evidence.
Adeline stared at the page.
"How many times did your father use it?"
Camilla whispered, "I don't know."
Then another voice entered the call.
Arthur.
"Hang up, Camilla."
Adeline froze.
Camilla gasped.
A door slammed.
The line went dead.
Thirty seconds later, Camilla sent one text.
HE'S TAKING ME TO THE OLD ASHFORD HOSPITAL.
Then nothing.
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