Chapter 4 - THE EMPLOYEE FILE THAT LED BACK INSIDE THE FAMILY
Anthony Bellini was not a criminal mastermind.
At least not according to the records.
He was forty-one.
Divorced.
Worked off and on in event logistics.
Two bankruptcy filings.
A gambling problem documented in a civil lawsuit.
Three years earlier, Marco had publicly cut him off after Anthony borrowed money from foundation accounts without authorization.
“Family embarrassment,” Elias said.
Cassidy sat at Dominic’s dining table listening only because Lucia was upstairs with Dr. Levin.
“Why would Gavin list him as an emergency contact?”
“They shared an apartment briefly five years ago.”
Dominic looked at Marco’s personnel records.
“Marco knew Gavin through Anthony.”
“Yes.”
“Did he tell us?”
“No.”
Cassidy asked:
“Have you asked?”
Dominic looked at her.
“No.”
“Good.”
He frowned.
“Why good?”
“You’re improving.”
“I’m tempted to fire you.”
“You hired me for four hours.”
“You’re at hour five.”
“Then technically I’m free.”
Elias coughed to hide a laugh.
Dominic glared at him.
Then looked back at the documents.
Anthony’s financial records showed payments from Gavin over two years.
Small.
Cash transfers.
Loan repayments.
Then one larger payment.
$18,000.
Three days after Elena’s death.
Recipient:
Anthony Bellini.
Dominic’s hands tightened.
“From Gavin.”
“Yes.”
“Source?”
“Unknown.”
“What happened to it?”
“Anthony paid six thousand toward gambling debt, moved twelve to a separate account.”
“Where?”
Elias hesitated.
“A Bellini family trust.”
Dominic stood.
“Marco’s?”
“No.”
“Whose?”
“Their mother’s.”
Not proof.
Family money moves badly even when nobody kills anyone.
Cassidy said:
“Could Anthony have been the buyer?”
Elias nodded.
“Possible.”
“Could Marco know nothing?”
Dominic looked at her.
“You want him innocent.”
“No.”
“I want you not to decide before Lucia finishes remembering.”
That hit.
He sat again.
Later that day Gavin surfaced.
Through an attorney.
Not a dramatic alley.
Not a phone call from a burner.
A lawyer sent a letter to Chicago police and Dominic’s counsel stating Gavin wanted to discuss “security information relevant to the Valente family” in exchange for protection and consideration regarding potential charges.
Dominic laughed when Dominic's lawyer read it.
“He grabs my daughter and wants a deal.”
Cassidy was in the room because Lucia refused to eat lunch unless she could see her.
“You don’t have to give him one.”
Dominic looked at her.
“I know.”
“But police might.”
“Yes.”
“Then let them.”
He stared.
“You say that like my family always used courts.”
“I say it because throwing him in a river won’t tell you what Lucia remembers.”
The room went silent.
Cassidy realized what she had said.
Dominic’s mouth moved slightly.
“Do you think I throw people in rivers?”
“I think you have a reputation.”
“Chicago has cold winters.”
“Not helping.”
He laughed.
Actually laughed.
Lucia, sitting across the room, looked up.
Then smiled.
Everyone stopped.
Because it was the first time Elias had seen Dominic laugh in months.
Cassidy noticed.
Dominic noticed that she noticed.
He stopped.
Too late.
Gavin’s attorney arranged an interview with prosecutors and police.
Dominic was not present.
His lawyer received a limited summary afterward because the information involved potential threats against him.
Gavin admitted:
He had sold restaurant reservation information.
More than once.
To intermediaries.
He had accepted cash for knowing where Dominic ate, which hotels his executives used, and when Valente charity events occurred.
He claimed he never sold home addresses.
Except one.
Eighteen months ago.
Not Dominic’s current home.
A West Town property owned through a Valente company.
The building where Elena died.
Cassidy heard the summary in Dominic’s study.
He did not move.
“Who bought it?”
Elias looked at the paper.
“Gavin says Anthony Bellini.”
Dominic’s face went empty.
“Marco’s brother.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“He says he didn’t ask.”
“How much?”
“Twenty-five thousand.”
“For one address?”
“And timing.”
“What timing?”
Elias swallowed.
“Elena was expected there at eight.”
Dominic stood.
Cassidy saw his hand shake once.
Then stop.
“Did Gavin know Lucia would be there?”
“He says no.”
“Did Anthony?”
“Unknown.”
“What did he think would happen?”
“According to Gavin, Anthony said they wanted to scare Elena and recover documents.”
Dominic turned.
“What documents?”
“Gavin doesn’t know.”
Cassidy thought of Lucia drawing a suitcase.
Maybe Elena had been carrying more than clothes.
Dominic said:
“Where is Anthony?”
“His attorney says he left Illinois last week.”
“Last week?”
“Two days before Gavin disappeared.”
They had moved before anyone confronted them.
Cassidy asked:
“So someone warned them.”
Elias nodded.
The room went still.
Only four people knew Lucia had recognized Gavin before he vanished.
Dominic.
Elias.
Dr. Levin.
Cassidy.
And Marco had entered the house during the session.
He had not heard the signs.
Or had he?
Dominic looked toward the security monitor.
Then at Cassidy.
“Who knew Gavin was being questioned?”
“Restaurant owner,” she said. “Police. Staff.”
“Too many.”
Elias’s phone vibrated.
He read.
His expression changed.
“What?”
“Gavin’s attorney just sent something.”
A photograph.
Old.
Grainy.
Taken in a parking garage.
Gavin stood beside Anthony Bellini.
Anthony stood beside a third man.
Only half the man’s face showed.
But the silver watch was clear.
So was the family crest engraved on its clasp.
Dominic stared.
Cassidy had seen that watch yesterday.
May you like
On Marco Bellini’s wrist.
The photograph had been taken eleven days before Elena died.
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