Chapter 9 - The Last Witness Was Hiding in the Same Church

They returned to the chapel two days later.

Police had already searched the parish office.

Clara Voss was alive.

The gunshot had not been aimed at her.

It had been fired into the ceiling.

A warning.

She sat in the front pew.

Daniel stood ten feet away.

He did not know whether to hug her or accuse her.

Gabriel entered with Maria.

Isabella remained near the door.

Father Martin sat beside Clara.

Gabriel stopped.

“Why did you tell Silvio Maria was returning?”

Clara looked at him.

“Because he knew about Daniel.”

Daniel’s face changed.

“What?”

“He found me three years ago.”

She looked at her brother.

“He said if I did not tell him what Jonathan and Father Martin were doing, he would expose you.”

Daniel laughed in disbelief.

“Expose me?”

“As Jonathan’s source.”

Daniel stared.

“That would have gotten me killed.”

“Yes.”

Clara started crying.

“I chose you.”

Daniel looked away.

Gabriel understood the pattern.

Everyone choosing for everyone.

Everyone lying because they called it protection.

He sat across from Clara.

“What did you tell Silvio?”

“Only dates.”

“Maria’s return?”

“Yes.”

“Jonathan’s meetings?”

Clara looked down.

“Yes.”

Daniel’s face emptied.

“You told him when Jonathan was meeting Crane.”

Clara whispered:

“Yes.”

Maria closed her eyes.

Gabriel asked:

“Did you tell him Jonathan’s route the night he died?”

Clara began shaking.

“I told him Jonathan was leaving the parish at nine.”

Silence.

Daniel walked toward the altar.

He could not look at her.

Clara cried.

“I did not know he would kill him.”

Gabriel’s voice softened.

“But you knew he was dangerous.”

“Yes.”

“Why keep helping after Jonathan died?”

“Because then Silvio told me Daniel would be next.”

Daniel turned.

“You should have told me.”

“I was terrified.”

He stared.

“So was I.”

Father Martin spoke.

“She came to me yesterday.”

Gabriel looked at him.

“She wants to testify.”

Clara nodded.

“Yes.”

Daniel closed his eyes.

Gabriel stood.

Then noticed one envelope on the altar.

Father Martin picked it up.

“Jonathan left this with me too.”

Gabriel almost smiled.

“How many letters did this man write?”

Father Martin smiled sadly.

“Enough.”

He handed it to Maria.

Her name.

She opened it.

Read silently.

Then handed it to Gabriel.

Jonathan had written:

MARIA,

IF GABRIEL EVER STANDS IN THIS CHAPEL WITH YOU, DO NOT ASK HIM TO FORGIVE YOU.

TELL HIM THE TRUTH.

LET HIM DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

Gabriel stared.

Maria whispered:

“He knew me.”

Gabriel gave the letter back.

“Yes.”

She looked at him.

“I am sorry.”

He said nothing.

“I should have found another way.”

“Yes.”

“I should have risked coming back sooner.”

“Yes.”

“I should have trusted you with the truth before tonight.”

Gabriel looked at her.

“You keep saying yes.”

“Because I am not going to defend what hurt you.”

That stopped him.

Maria’s eyes filled.

“I loved you every day I was gone.”

Gabriel’s jaw tightened.

“That does not give me those years back.”

“No.”

“It does not give me birthdays.”

“No.”

“It does not give me my father.”

“No.”

“It does not give me the chance to know Jonathan.”

Maria cried quietly.

“No.”

Gabriel looked toward the cross.

Then back at her.

“But it gives me today.”

Maria stared.

He continued.

“I do not know what to call you yet.”

Her face broke.

“That is fair.”

“I do not know if I forgive you.”

“I understand.”

“But I want to know what happened after you left.”

Maria nodded.

Gabriel looked at Father Martin.

“And I want everything opened.”

“The parish files?”

“All of them.”

Mr. Crane, standing at the rear, stepped forward.

“So do I.”

Isabella looked at him.

He continued.

“I will testify about the payment.”

Gabriel stared.

Crane nodded.

“I cannot undo what my fear financed.”

“No.”

“But I can stop hiding it.”

Gabriel looked at Isabella.

She said nothing.

He walked toward her.

She held out the engagement ring.

“I thought you would want this.”

Gabriel stared at it.

Then closed her fingers around it.

“Keep it for now.”

Her eyes widened.

“That does not mean we are engaged.”

“I know.”

“It does not mean we are finished.”

She swallowed.

“I know.”

Gabriel looked at her.

“It means I will not make another permanent decision in a room full of secrets.”

For the first time in days, Isabella smiled through tears.

“That seems reasonable.”

Gabriel almost smiled back.

Then Daniel’s phone buzzed.

A message from investigators.

Silvio had formally confessed to ordering Luca’s murder.

And Jonathan’s.

Gabriel read the message.

Then looked at Maria.

“It is over.”

She shook her head.

“No.”

Gabriel frowned.

Maria touched the old ledger now sealed in an evidence bag.

“Silvio is over.”

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She looked at him.

“The Moretti name is what comes next.”