Chapter 3 - THE TRAIN TICKET
The chandelier light caught the gold rim of the watch, but it was the flash of absolute rage in Luca’s eyes that paralyzed the room.
"You threatened my son?" Luca’s voice was deadly.
Vanessa backed away, her red dress rustling against the chairs. "The boy is lying! He’s always hated me! He stole it himself and is trying to frame me, Luca, you know he has behavioral issues!"
"Do not speak about my son," Luca warned, stepping closer to her. "And do not take me for a fool. You don't know the combination to my private safe. Who opened it for you?"
"Nobody!" Vanessa cried, tears streaming down her face.
I stood up, holding Leo’s hand behind my apron to shield him. As I did, my gaze fell upon Vanessa’s designer purse, which had tipped over on her chair during the commotion.
A thick, blue paper stub had slipped out of the zipper compartment.
I recognized it immediately. It was a first-class ticket for the midnight sleeper train to Montreal.
"Mr. Moretti," I said quietly, stepping forward.
Vanessa shot me a venomous glare. "Shut your mouth, you ignorant maid! This is your fault! If you had just thrown that trash away—"
"Mr. Moretti," I repeated, ignoring her and pointing at the chair. "She’s leaving tonight."
Luca followed my gaze. He snatched the blue ticket from the purse.
"Montreal," Luca read aloud. He looked at Vanessa, the ultimate betrayal settling over his features. "You aren't planning a wedding. You're planning an escape. You were going to evict Teresa, drain the development accounts, and disappear tonight."
"Luca, please!" Vanessa sobbed, dropping her arrogant facade. "I had to! I owe three million dollars to the Romanos! They told me if I didn't get them the deed to Caruso's restaurant, they would kill me!"
The reversal hit the room like a physical blow. Vanessa wasn't a mastermind trying to protect Luca from the Romanos; she was a desperate pawn working for them.
"Why do the Romanos want a fifty-year-old restaurant?" Luca demanded.
Vanessa shook her head hysterically. "I don't know! They just said your father hid something in the basement!"
Mrs. Caruso let out a soft, sharp gasp. She pressed her hand over her heart, suddenly looking very frail.
Luca turned to her. "Teresa. What is in your basement?"
The old woman looked down at her shoes. "Your father made me swear on the Virgin Mary never to tell you, Luca. He said it would destroy the family."
Luca pressed his thumb against the side of the gold pocket watch. The heavy casing clicked open.
"He didn't just hide something," Luca said, showing the open watch to Mrs. Caruso.
Inside the watch, where the intricate gears should have been, was a tiny, hollowed-out compartment.
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Resting in the center was a miniature silver key.
"My father left me the key," Luca said. "And tonight, we are going to find out what it opens."
