Chapter 6 - Why Charles Stayed Dead

Richard left before security arrived.

He did not run.

He walked.

That made Christian angrier.

The cassette remained on the table.

Charles would not look at it.

Christian noticed.

“Play it.”

Charles said:

“No.”

Christian stared.

“You spent fifteen years letting me believe you were dead.”

“I know.”

“Then you don’t get to decide which truth I hear.”

Samuel inserted the tape.

Pressed PLAY.

Charles’s voice filled the room.

Recorded two years earlier.

“I could come home now.”

A second voice asked:

“Why don’t you?”

Christian looked at his father.

The voice on the tape continued.

“Because Christian rebuilt everything without me.”

The interviewer asked:

“Is that the only reason?”

Long silence.

Then Charles said:

“No.”

Christian’s expression changed.

Tape Charles continued:

“I helped create the system Richard used.”

The room became still.

“I paid officials.”

Victor looked down.

“I pressured competitors.”

Amelia stared at Charles.

“I taught my brother that fear was more useful than loyalty.”

Christian’s jaw tightened.

On the tape, Charles said:

“Richard betrayed me. But I made the world where betrayal became profitable.”

The recording ended.

Christian did not speak.

Charles finally looked at him.

“Richard wanted you to hear that without context.”

Christian laughed once.

“Context?”

“I wasn’t innocent.”

“That part sounded clear.”

“I never sold routes. I never ordered attacks. But I built a company where men like Richard learned that rules were obstacles.”

Christian walked to the window.

His reflection looked like a stranger.

“So after the threat ended, you stayed away because you were ashamed.”

“Yes.”

“When did the threat end?”

“Six years ago.”

Christian turned.

The same year Charles had been declared legally dead.

“You could have come home six years ago.”

“Yes.”

Christian stared at him.

“My mother died five years ago.”

Charles’s face broke.

“I know.”

“You could have seen her.”

“I know.”

“You could have seen me.”

“I know.”

Christian crossed the room.

For a second, Samuel thought he might hit him.

Christian didn’t.

He stood close.

“You don’t get to call cowardice protection.”

Charles’s eyes filled.

“I know.”

That answer hurt more.

Amelia stepped away.

Christian looked at her.

“You knew this too?”

“No.”

“Did your father?”

Victor answered.

“Yes.”

Christian turned slowly.

Victor continued:

“Charles made me promise not to tell you he was alive unless Richard moved against you.”

Christian stared.

“And you kept that promise.”

“Yes.”

“Even while I was engaged to your daughter.”

Victor looked ashamed.

“Yes.”

Christian looked at Amelia.

“How long have you known he stayed away by choice?”

She shook her head.

“I didn’t.”

He believed her.

That was the problem.

He still believed parts of her.

Christian picked up both original tapes.

“The cellar.”

Charles frowned.

“What?”

“We find the flight bag.”

Samuel stood.

“I’m coming.”

Victor nodded.

“So am I.”

Christian looked at Amelia.

She didn’t move.

“You?”

She met his eyes.

“Yes.”

They drove to the ruined Voss summer house just after sunrise.

The upper floor was gone.

Stone walls remained.

The cellar door was rusted shut.

Christian broke the lock.

Inside were old chairs.

Wine racks.

Water damage.

And one blue trunk.

Amelia stopped.

“That’s it.”

Victor whispered:

“Eleanor.”

Christian opened it.

Clothes.

Letters.

A jewelry box.

Then a black flight bag.

Charles sat down on the stairs.

Samuel unzipped it.

Inside the lining was a slit.

Empty.

Christian stared.

“The tape is gone.”

Amelia looked through the trunk.

“Wait.”

She lifted the jewelry box.

Underneath was an envelope.

One word.

VICTOR.

Her father opened it.

Inside was a handwritten note from Eleanor.

Victor read.

His hands began shaking.

Christian asked:

“What?”

Victor looked at Charles.

“She says she moved the tape.”

“Where?”

Victor kept reading.

Then looked at Amelia.

“To someone Richard would never search.”

“Who?”

Victor whispered:

“Your grandmother.”

Amelia stared.

“My grandmother died twelve years ago.”

Victor nodded.

“But her lawyer is still alive.”

May you like

[COMPLETED] “GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY DRESS! YOU’RE NOTHING BUT AN OLD SEAM...

[COMPLETED] At the Mafia Boss's Engagement Party, I Served His Hungry So...

[COMPLETED] The Mafia Boss’s Fiancée Tried to Dismiss His Father’s Loyal...

Christian already knew the name before Victor said it.

“Leonard Russo.”