Chapter 3 - THE BOY IN THE WINDOW
I didn't sleep that night. I kept staring at the folded paper on my cramped apartment's kitchen table. Vanessa Bellini wasn’t just a spoiled fiancée; she was systematically dismantling Luca’s inner circle.
And Silvio—the capo who sat at Luca's right hand—had a checkmark next to his name. Was he loyal to Luca, or had Vanessa already bought him?
The next morning, I arrived at the Moretti estate at 7:00 AM. The housekeeper directed me past the kitchens, up the grand sweeping staircase, and down a quiet, sunlit hallway to the east wing.
"Mr. Moretti’s son is in there," she whispered, looking nervous. "Don't push him. He doesn't like loud noises."
I knocked softly and opened the door. The room was massive, filled with expensive, untouched toys. Sitting on the window seat, staring out at the rolling lawns, was a small boy with dark, messy hair. He looked to be about seven.
"Hi, Leo," I said quietly.
He didn't turn around. His small fingers were obsessively folding and unfolding a piece of blue construction paper.
I didn’t crowd him. I didn't ask him how he was doing. I knew what grief looked like; the staff whispered that his mother had died in a car accident a year ago, an accident Luca barely survived.
I sat on the floor, a few feet away, and pulled a small, worn sketchbook from my bag. I started drawing the ancient oak tree outside his window. I didn't say a word for twenty minutes.
Slowly, the rustling of the blue paper stopped. I felt a small presence beside me. Leo was looking at my drawing.
"You missed the tire swing," a tiny, raspy voice whispered.
I froze, hiding my shock. "You're right," I said softly. "Want to draw it for me?"
I held out the pencil. He hesitated, then took it.
Just as his pencil touched the paper, the bedroom door swung open. Vanessa marched in, followed by Silvio.
"What are you doing on the floor?" Vanessa snapped. "This is a child's bedroom, not a park."
Leo dropped the pencil and scrambled backward, pressing himself against the wall. His breathing hitched.
"I was keeping him company, Miss Bellini," I said, standing up smoothly.
"You're a temporary babysitter," she sneered. She turned to Silvio. "Check the closet. Make sure she hasn't pocketed anything. My diamond tennis bracelet went missing this morning."
My blood ran cold. "I haven't been anywhere near your rooms."
"Thieves rarely admit to stealing," Vanessa said lightly. She walked over to my bag, which was resting on a chair, and unzipped it. She reached inside and dramatically pulled out a glittering diamond bracelet.
"Well, well," she said, holding it up for Silvio to see. "Looks like Luca's judge of character is flawed. Silvio, call the police. Have her arrested."
Silvio pulled out his phone, his face unreadable. "Yes, Miss Bellini."
"Wait!"
The voice was loud. Desperate.
We all turned. Leo was standing up, his small fists clenched at his sides. He was glaring at Vanessa.
"She didn't take it," Leo yelled, his voice cracking from disuse. "I saw you! I watched you from the hallway. You put it in her bag before she came upstairs!"
Vanessa’s face went completely white.
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Before she could speak, a deep voice echoed from the doorway.
"Silvio," Luca said, stepping into the room. His eyes were dark, fixated on the diamond bracelet dangling from Vanessa's trembling hand. "Put the phone away."
