“Rafael Longo made a delivery to my warehouse a little over a week ago. He gave a package to one of the people there and said he had been instructed to deliver it to me. There was no return address and no name. I’m trying to find out who sent it. The trucking company that he works for is in your name.”
Madeline places her cup down. “My name is on many things, darling. I invest in hundreds of companies as did my late husband. Some succeed and some fail. Many are managed by others. I didn’t send you a package, dear, if that’s what you’re thinking. I brought your birthday gift to your party. But I can call up my hiring manager and have him put you in touch with Rafael.”
“That would be a little hard considering he’s dead,” I reply.
“Dead?” A puzzled look crosses her face.
“Yes. He was found shot in his truck at a rest stop,” Dominic chimes in.
Madeline clasps a hand to her chest. “And you’re investigating his murder?”
“In a way. But we came to ask you about your grandson Elio. Why did you bring him to my party? He wasn’t on the list. You know my parties are invite only and guests have to be approved.”
“I’m sorry, darling. I know that. But Elio never comes to visit me. He’s so busy studying law at the university. I wanted him to come to the party so we could spend more time together but instead he spent it all with your sister.”
I cringe at her response.
“I got your mother’s approval but I know I should have spoken with you directly,” Madeline continues. She pauses. “Do you think Elio is involved in this somehow? Or me? That’s why you’re here?”
“I’m not accusing you of anything, Madeline.”
“Darling, you think I don’t know how this world works. When one person in a family gets hit, it usually means a war is going to start and retaliation is in place. I had nothing to do with Bruno’s shooting or Rafael’s. And I know Elio doesn’t either. You have our full cooperation. I don’t want any trouble.”
“Well, if you could send over any information you have on Rafael that would be great.”
“Done. I’ll call my hiring manager right away. Now if there is nothing else, I have a video call with one of my partners.”
“Thank you for your time, Madeline. I will be in touch if I need anything else.” I stand up and brace myself as she hugs me.
The butler appears out of nowhere to escort us to the front door.
“It’s like she was expecting our visit or a visit from someone else,” Dominic mutters as we get into the car.
“Oh, you noticed the extra tea cups.”
“I’m an investigator, Cipi. That’s my job.”
I buckle my seatbelt. “I don’t care what Madeline says or what the cameras from the ballroom show. I know Elio is involved in this somehow.”
“I agree. I’ll have someone on my team do a deep dive into his past.”
I lean my head against the seat. I wish my sister would stay away from him. You can’t tell Gigi anything. She’s as stubborn as I am. My mind drifts to the camera footage that confirms Elio was in the presence of Madeline the whole time. But that doesn’t mean shit. Just because he didn’t pull the trigger doesn’t mean he wasn’t the mastermind behind it all.
Chapter seventeen
Dominic’s confession from earlier weighs heavily on my soul.
It’s crazy how somebody can be so wrong for you, yet it feels so right.
Exhaust puffs from the tailpipes of his car as he disappears around the corner, leaving me alone in the industrial park. I had to reassure him a bunch of times that I would be okay. After all, I own this place.
Turning around, I punch the code into the iron keypad near the entrance. It’s better if he drops me off here. I can’t risk my family seeing him. His words and the look in his eyes are engraved in my mind. He really lost his cousin to the type of people I’m in charge of.
No wonder he hates everything I stand for.
If I had known, I never would have gone out with him. No wonder he was so adamant about me not becoming the boss. I kind of don’t blame him for disappearing. As much as I love him, he deserves better. But standing here, knowing that… I’m not sure I’m strong enough to let him go.
I stab the enter key. The gate moves back slowly, revealing the warehouse.
