Chapter 12 - The Confession Behind the Glass
Adrian Bellini was arrested at a private airfield while attempting to leave the state. Prosecutors charged him in connection with the kidnapping, fraud, and conspiracy. The old warehouse fire remained under investigation.
Vanessa requested a meeting with the prosecutor. I was not in the room, but Detective Price later told me she had offered information about her brother in exchange for consideration in her own case.
Her account did not erase her part in the false accusation. She admitted hiding the necklace and placing the forged paper in the box to pressure Luca into signing a settlement that would shift control of company assets.
She claimed she had not expected Adrian to abduct my mother.
I didn't know whether to believe her. I didn't have to decide. The evidence would be tested in court.
At home, Mia asked whether I felt better now that Vanessa had confessed.
“I feel tired,” I said.
May you like
“That's allowed.”
We sat together on the couch and watched an old cooking show, the kind Dad used to laugh at. For an hour, nobody asked us to be brave.
