Chapter 8 - The Moretti NameLuca's father was named Vincent Moretti.
Emma learned that before breakfast.
She also learned his name appeared on hospital wings, university buildings, charity foundations, and half a dozen major development projects across the Midwest.
Vincent Moretti was seventy-one years old.
He had built a construction company from one truck into an empire.
He had survived recessions, lawsuits, strikes, and two public corruption investigations without ever being charged.
And Blue Harbor Holdings belonged to him.
Emma sat in Luca's office while Detective Hayes cataloged the evidence from locker 318.
"You knew Blue Harbor belonged to your father."
Emma's tone was controlled.
Luca nodded.
"Yes."
"And you didn't tell me."
"I didn't know it mattered until Connor said the name."
"You told me Marco was investigating Connor."
"He was."
"But payments were going through your brother's company and your father's company."
"Yes."
Emma stared at him.
"Do you understand why I don't know whether to trust you?"
"Yes."
That answer made her angrier.
"Stop agreeing with me."
Luca almost smiled.
Emma did not.
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
He folded his arms.
"You shouldn't trust me because Marco wrote it in a letter."
"Then why should I?"
"Because I earn it."
Emma looked away.
Detective Hayes entered carrying the digital recorder.
"We listened to the files."
Luca stood.
"And?"
"Most are conversations."
"Marco recorded meetings."
"With Connor?"
"Some."
"One with Vincent Moretti."
Luca became still.
Emma looked at Hayes.
"What did they say?"
Hayes placed the recorder on the desk.
"I think you should hear it."
She pressed play.
Static filled the room.
Then Marco's voice.
You knew what Connor was doing.
Vincent answered.
I knew he was moving money.
Marco sounded angry.
Two million dollars isn't moving money.
It's stealing.
Vincent replied calmly.
You don't understand the whole picture.
Marco laughed bitterly.
That's what Luca says every time he wants to protect you.
Luca closed his eyes.
The recording continued.
I'm taking this to the board.
Vincent's voice became harder.
Think carefully before you do that.
Is that a threat?
A long silence followed.
Then Vincent spoke.
It's advice from your father.
The recording ended.
Emma stared at Luca.
"Your father threatened Marco."
"No."
"You heard it."
"I heard an argument."
Hayes looked at Luca.
"You're very quick to defend him."
"Because he's my father."
"And Marco was your brother."
That silenced him.
Hayes played the second recording.
Connor's voice appeared this time.
You don't know what you've stepped into.
Marco answered.
I know exactly what you did.
No, you know the part they wanted you to find.
Marco became quiet.
Who is they?
Connor laughed.
Ask Luca.
The recording stopped.
Emma looked at Luca.
"Why does everyone keep saying to ask you?"
"I don't know."
"That's getting harder to believe."
Luca stepped away.
His phone buzzed.
He looked down.
His expression tightened.
"My father is downstairs."
Emma stood.
"Here?"
"Yes."
"How does he know we're here?"
"This is company headquarters."
"That's not an answer."
Luca looked toward Detective Hayes.
"I didn't tell him."
Hayes nodded toward the door.
"I'll talk to him first."
"No."
Emma surprised both of them.
"I want to meet him."
Luca shook his head.
"Emma."
"No."
She stood straighter.
"Marco wanted me to see this."
"Connor tried to scare me away from it."
"Someone changed my hospital records."
"I'm done sitting in rooms while other people decide what I should know."
Luca studied her.
Then he nodded.
Vincent Moretti entered five minutes later.
He was tall despite his age.
Silver hair.
Dark suit.
No tie.
His eyes went immediately to Emma.
Then to the photograph of Grace on Luca's phone screen.
His expression softened.
"So."
His voice was quiet.
"That's Marco's daughter."
Emma stared at him.
"Her name is Grace."
Vincent nodded.
"Grace."
For a brief moment, he looked like a grieving grandfather.
Then his eyes moved toward the recorder on the desk.
The softness disappeared.
"I assume you've heard it."
Luca stepped forward.
"Did you threaten Marco?"
Vincent looked at his surviving son.
"No."
"Then explain it."
Vincent sat down.
"I was trying to protect him."
"From Connor?"
Vincent shook his head.
"Connor was never the real danger."
Emma felt cold.
"Then who was?"
May you like
Vincent looked directly at Luca.
"Your uncle."
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