Chapter 13 - Rafael's Signature
Rafael was still recovering when Emilio confronted him.
He sent everyone out except Mara.
Then he placed the photograph on the hospital tray.
"Tell me."
Rafael looked at it for a long time.
"I signed that."
"I can see that."
"I did not know what Calvin planned."
"What did you think you were signing?"
"A continuity amendment."
"For Ava's trust?"
"For the company."
Emilio laughed without humor.
"You taught me never to sign something I didn't understand."
"I understood what I was told."
"By Calvin?"
"By my lawyer."
"Which lawyer?"
Rafael said the name.
Mara's face changed.
"Leon Voss."
Emilio knew him.
Everyone in their world did.
Voss was the attorney who had designed the Vega family trusts for three generations.
Rafael continued.
"He told me the amendment would prevent hostile takeover if something happened to you."
"It gave Calvin control if I became incapacitated."
"I didn't know."
"Lucia did."
Rafael closed his eyes.
"She came to me."
"When?"
"A week before she died."
Emilio's anger rose.
"And?"
"She accused Calvin. I told her she was overreacting."
The words were small.
The damage was enormous.
"You sent her back into that house."
"I told her to stop digging until I could review everything."
"Did you review it?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because Calvin brought me documents showing Lucia had moved company money."
Mara frowned. "Forged?"
Rafael nodded weakly.
"I know that now."
Emilio turned away.
His father had not ordered Lucia's death.
But arrogance had done its own kind of killing.
Rafael whispered, "There's something else."
Emilio looked back.
"Voss came to see me yesterday."
"Why?"
"He wanted me to sign a statement saying your behavior had become erratic."
Mara went still.
"Did you?"
"No."
"Then why did Preston poison you?" Emilio asked.
Rafael swallowed.
"Because I told Voss I was calling you."
Mara pulled out her phone.
Pike answered.
She gave him the name.
He was silent.
Then: "Leon Voss left his office thirty minutes ago."
"Where is he going?"
"We don't know."
Emilio's phone buzzed.
A message from Tessa.
No words.
Just a video.
Ava sat in a chair.
Her wrists were tied with white ribbon.
Emilio's heart stopped.
The video panned.
Elena was tied beside her.
Then Tessa stepped into frame.
"Bring the red key to Voss's house."
Emilio reached into his pocket.
May you like
The key was gone.
Across the hospital room, Rafael whispered, "I know who took it."
