Chapter 12 - THE CHOICE
Thirty seconds felt like thirty years.
Maria tried to open the vehicle door.
An officer stopped her.
“No.”
“My son is in there.”
“Wait.”
Then the radio crackled.
“Child located.”
Maria stopped breathing.
“Repeat?”
“Child located. Alive.”
She sobbed.
Richard closed his eyes.
But the message continued.
“One suspect down.”
“Which suspect?”
No answer.
Maria was allowed out moments later.
An officer carried Matteo toward her wrapped in a police blanket.
“Mama!”
She ran.
Dropped to her knees.
Pulled him against her.
“My baby.”
“I kicked the bad man.”
“You what?”
“He was slow.”
Maria laughed and cried at the same time.
Richard walked closer.
Matteo reached for him.
“Mr. Richard.”
Richard crouched.
“You okay, buddy?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Matteo touched the bandage on Richard’s arm.
“You got hurt too.”
“A little.”
“I was brave.”
Richard swallowed.
“Yes, you were.”
“Like Mama.”
Richard looked at Maria.
“Exactly like your mom.”
Behind them, paramedics wheeled Thomas out.
He had been shot in the shoulder.
Alive.
Daniel came next in handcuffs.
No injuries.
He saw Richard.
Smiled.
“Family reunion.”
Richard walked toward him.
Daniel laughed.
“You always did love playing hero when someone was watching.”
Richard said nothing.
“Go ahead.”
Daniel leaned closer.
“Hit me.”
Richard stared at his brother.
Then stepped aside.
“No.”
Daniel’s smile faded.
“You’re not worth losing another second.”
Police pushed him forward.
He twisted back.
“You think this is over?”
Richard stopped.
Daniel shouted, “Ask Caroline!”
Richard turned.
“What?”
“Ask your precious ex-wife where the first million came from!”
Richard’s face changed.
Daniel laughed as officers put him into the car.
Maria watched.
“You think he’s lying?”
Richard looked at her.
“I don’t know anymore.”
By the next morning, the scandal exploded.
Thomas Vale arrested.
Daniel Whitfield charged.
Diane Sinclair cooperating.
Seventy-eight million dollars in fraudulent transfers discovered.
Major news networks camped outside the estate gates.
But Richard cared about one thing.
Maria.
She sat in the library while Matteo slept upstairs.
Richard entered.
“I want to reinstate you.”
Maria almost laughed.
“No.”
“With full back pay.”
“No.”
“And compensation.”
“No.”
He stopped.
“What do you want?”
Maria looked at him.
“Why do you assume I want something from you?”
“I didn’t mean—”
“Yes, you did.”
She stood.
“For six years, I took care of your house.”
“You did.”
“I knew your coffee.”
“Yes.”
“Your schedule.”
“Yes.”
“Your allergies.”
“Yes.”
“I knew when you were sick before your assistants did.”
Richard looked down.
Maria continued.
“You know what you never knew?”
“What?”
“My birthday.”
He looked at her.
“I…”
“You didn’t know Matteo’s full name.”
He said nothing.
“You didn’t know I took two buses here for three months when my car broke.”
Richard’s face tightened.
“You didn’t know my mother died two years ago because I still came to work the next morning.”
“Maria.”
“I’m not saying you were cruel.”
Her voice softened.
“That would almost be easier.”
“You just never looked.”
Richard absorbed it.
“And now?”
“Now you feel guilty.”
“Yes.”
“At least that’s honest.”
Richard nodded.
Maria picked up her coat.
“I don’t want my job back.”
“What will you do?”
“I’ll figure it out.”
She walked toward the door.
Then Richard asked, “Can I still see Matteo?”
Maria stopped.
That question surprised her.
She turned.
“He likes you.”
“I like him.”
“He needs people who don’t disappear.”
Richard’s expression changed.
“I know.”
Maria opened the door.
“Then don’t.”
She left.
Richard stood alone.
On the desk behind him, his phone vibrated.
May you like
A message from Caroline.
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT DANIEL.
