Chapter 12 - GRACE TAKES THE STAND
The hearing took place in a private courtroom under federal security.
Vittorio arrived smiling.
Of course he did.
He wore a dark blue suit and carried himself like a worried uncle.
The judge, Harold Benson, was one of the names in the ledger.
He looked at me like I was garbage.
“Mr. Caruso, your history speaks for itself.”
I almost laughed.
So did his bank account.
Agent Monroe sat in the back.
Waiting.
Grace sat beside me.
Vittorio’s attorney stood.
“Miss Caruso is a blind minor who has spent her entire childhood inside a violent criminal environment.”
Grace whispered, “He makes me sound like furniture.”
I squeezed her hand.
The attorney continued.
“Mr. Vittorio Caruso offers stability.”
Evelyn muttered, “He offers murder.”
The judge called Grace.
I leaned toward her.
“You don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I do.”
She walked to the witness chair using her cane.
Every head turned toward her.
The judge softened his voice.
“Grace, do you understand why you’re here?”
“Yes.”
“You know your father may be facing serious charges?”
“Yes.”
“And you know your uncle has asked to protect you?”
“Yes.”
“Would you feel safe living with him?”
Grace tilted her head.
“No.”
Vittorio’s smile faded.
“Why?”
“Because he killed my mother.”
The courtroom exploded.
The judge banged his gavel.
Vittorio stood.
“This is outrageous!”
Grace continued.
“And my grandfather.”
“Stop her,” Vittorio snapped.
The judge’s face tightened.
“Miss Caruso, do you have evidence?”
Grace smiled slightly.
“No.”
Vittorio relaxed.
Then Grace said, “But Agent Monroe does.”
Every federal agent in the room moved at once.
Monroe stood.
“Judge Benson, federal warrants were signed thirty minutes ago.”
The judge went pale.
“For whom?”
“You.”
Two agents approached the bench.
“And Vittorio Caruso.”
Vittorio turned.
His attorney backed away.
Vittorio grabbed Grace.
Everything happened at once.
He pulled a small pistol from an ankle holster.
Security raised weapons.
“Back up!”
I stopped breathing.
Grace stood trapped against him.
Again.
Vittorio pressed the gun to her side.
“You stupid little girl.”
Grace didn’t cry.
“You smell scared again.”
“Shut up.”
“You always talk more when you’re scared.”
I saw her hand slide toward her cane.
Evelyn saw it too.
Vittorio began backing toward the side door.
“Move and she dies.”
I lifted my hands.
“You want me?”
“I wanted what was mine.”
“It was never yours.”
His face twisted.
“You all say that.”
Grace suddenly slammed the bottom of her cane down on his foot.
Vittorio jerked.
She turned inside his arm exactly the way Evelyn had taught her.
One hand trapped his wrist.
The other drove the cane against his elbow.
The gun fell.
I hit him.
Hard.
We crashed into the courtroom railing.
Agents pulled Grace away.
Vittorio and I fought on the floor like animals.
He reached for the gun.
I reached too.
Then Grace shouted.
“Dad, don’t!”
My hand stopped.
Vittorio’s fingers were inches from the weapon.
I could have killed him.
I wanted to.
Instead, I kicked the gun away.
Agents dragged him down.
Vittorio looked up at me, stunned.
“You’ve gone soft.”
I looked at Grace.
“No.”
I breathed hard.
“I finally learned what matters.”
Vittorio smiled.
“You still think this is over?”
Agent Monroe pulled him to his feet.
He laughed.
“Ask Evelyn what Sofia made her promise.”
I looked toward Evelyn.
Her face drained of color.
“What promise?”
May you like
Vittorio smiled as agents dragged him away.
“The one where she takes Grace from you forever.”
