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Joseph’s eyes narrowed in anger. “Don’t play me, Ms. Woods. Donna and I have left a dozen messages. We’ve also checked in with her friends and stopped off at her apartment. She’s nowhere to be found. Which leads me to believe you’ve filled her in on your theory.”
Casey folded her arms across her chest. “It’s not a theory. It’s a fact. And, yes, we told her. It was necessary to the investigation we’re conducting. And frankly, she has the right to know.”
“It was our right to tell her,” Donna shot back. “She’s our daughter.”
“Donna.” Joseph silenced his wife before she could say anything else incriminating. She’d just admitted that there was something Lina should be told, which was all but admitting that FI’s accusations were true.
Casey seemed neither surprised nor disturbed by the admission. “It’s not necessary to censor your wife’s words, Mr. Brando. As Marc and I told you earlier, we have concrete DNA evidence. We also have proof that all three girls’ birth records were forged. So, whether or not you discuss the truth, we have it.”
Joseph bristled. “I’ll repeat my question. Where is our daughter? You obviously communicated with her either by phone or in person to tell her your theory.” He wasn’t going to back down about using that word.
“We met with her earlier,” Casey said, her own stare telling him that she wasn’t intimidated. “We relayed the facts. She was very upset. My guess is that she needs some time and space to absorb the enormity of what she learned.”
“Is she all right?” Donna asked, her motherly concern outweighing her discretion. “You say she was upset. How upset? She must have been emotionally crushed.”
“Lina is a strong young woman,” Casey replied, feeling a twinge of sympathy for Donna Brando. It was unclear how much she knew about Angelo’s involvement in the adoption. But either way, she loved Lina. And Lina loved her. Deception or not, she’d raised and nurtured Lina from infancy to adulthood. She was the only mother Lina had ever known. “Lina will come through this, Mrs. Brando. She has a great support system.”
“A great support…” Donna caught on to that before Joseph did. “You’re not referring to her friends, are you?”
“No. I’m not.”
Donna swallowed hard. “You’re talking about the other two girls you claim are her sisters. Does that mean she’s met them?”
“A short while ago, yes. She could very well be with them right now. They have a lot to share and to catch up on.”
Donna had begun to cry. “Can you tell us about them?” She shot her husband a look that said I’m doing this. “Whether or not your claim about them being triplets is true, I need to know.”
“And I need to know about this supposed investigation you’re conducting that led you to Lina in the first place,” Joseph said.
“Our investigations are confidential—as are the identities of the other parties involved.” Casey gestured toward a nearby anteroom. “But in this case, interviewing you is critical. So let’s talk.” A quick glance at Joseph. “We’re not the enemy, Mr. Brando. We’re actually protecting your daughter from possible danger.”
“Danger?” He looked alarmed, which was exactly the reaction Casey was hoping for. Like his wife, he loved Lina. “What danger?”
Donna was already halfway to the anteroom. “Joseph, let’s hear what Ms. Woods has to say. If Lina is in danger, we need to know how and why.”
The three of them sat down in the leather chairs. Casey didn’t insult them by offering them refreshment. This wasn’t a social call.
“What do you know about a man named Anthony Ponti and his wife, Carla?” Casey purposely didn’t give them time to think. The first reaction was usually the real one.
Both the Brandos looked blank.
“Who?” Joseph asked.
Casey repeated the names.
Again, blank.
“We have no idea. Tell us who they are and why you’re asking,” Joseph said.
“They were a young couple who lived in Brooklyn. They were shot and killed in their own home. The killer was never found.”
“T
hat’s horrible,” Donna said. “But what does it have to do with Lina?”
Casey sidestepped the question. “Anthony worked for your friend, Angelo Colone. He handled collections for Colone’s construction company.” A pause, during which time Casey angled her head in Joseph’s direction. “You do represent that company, correct?”
For the first time, Joseph shifted in his seat. “My firm does, yes. Neil is the attorney of record. I handle Angelo’s estate and I handled his personal affairs. I doubt you’ll be surprised to hear that he and I were childhood friends.”
