Chapter 6 - The Man Who Came Back
The photograph led investigators to a small town across the Indiana border. Daniel Wells had been living under another name, repairing farm equipment and keeping his head down. He had not contacted Naomi because he believed Patrick's men were watching her. His message was sent after he learned that authorities were reopening the Moretti crash investigation.
I wanted to drive there immediately. Evelyn told me not to. Daniel was a potential witness, and his safety mattered more than my impatience.
Two days later, he arrived at a secure interview location with a federal investigator. Naomi saw him through the glass before he entered. She covered her mouth, then ran to him. They held each other without speaking.
I waited outside. Whatever happened next belonged to them first.
When Daniel finally met me, he looked at the scar across my knuckles and then into my eyes. “Your wife tried to stop them,” he said.
“Tell me what she knew.”
He explained that Isabella had traced missing donations from a medical charity to fraudulent transport invoices. The same companies moved illicit cargo through routes controlled by Patrick. Arthur had helped conceal the transactions. Isabella planned to turn her evidence over to investigators. Daniel had been preparing a duplicate set of records when the crash occurred.
“Did Patrick order it?” I asked.
“I don't know. I heard Arthur say the problem had been handled. That's all I can swear to.”
It wasn't enough to identify who caused Isabella’s death. It was enough to justify continuing the investigation.
Daniel had saved copies of bank transfers, correspondence, and a meeting calendar. Investigators verified portions of the records against independent sources. The pieces were beginning to fit together.
Meanwhile, Camille's petition moved forward. At the hearing, she wore pale blue and spoke through tears about my temper, my late-night absences, and the violence surrounding my business. Much of what she said about my past was true. She twisted those truths into a claim that the children were unsafe with me.
When my turn came, I did not pretend to be innocent of every mistake. I acknowledged my absences and the damage they had done. I described what I had learned, the steps I had taken to protect the children, and my willingness to cooperate with independent oversight.
Evelyn presented admissible evidence of Camille's conduct and the suspicious guardianship provisions. Dr. Ellis provided professional observations within the limits of her role. The judge ordered temporary protections while further proceedings continued. Camille was prohibited from contacting the children pending review.
Outside the courthouse, reporters shouted questions. I said only that my children deserved privacy.
At the safe house that night, Jack asked whether I had won.
“Not everything is a fight someone wins,” I said. “But you and Rosie are safe tonight, and we'll keep working to make sure you stay safe.”
He considered that. “Can we get pizza?”
May you like
We ordered two. Rosie insisted pineapple belonged on hers. Jack disagreed loudly. For ten minutes, the greatest conflict in my life was a disagreement about fruit on pizza.
I hoped it would not be the last.
