Chapter 13 - THE MUSIC BOX
The music box was pink.
Painted with tiny white stars.
Salvatore remembered Sofia buying it.
He had forgotten everything else.
Ruby opened the lid.
A ballerina turned slowly.
Soft music filled the room.
Nothing happened.
Lucinda stood under police supervision near the door.
“She used to ask what was inside the bottom,” Ruby said.
Salvatore examined it.
The velvet lining looked normal.
Vincent took a pocketknife and carefully lifted one corner.
A hidden compartment appeared.
Inside was a flash drive.
Nobody spoke.
Salvatore connected it to an offline laptop.
One folder.
FOR SALVATORE.
His hands shook when he opened it.
Sofia appeared on screen.
Alive.
Thinner than he remembered.
Tired.
Beautiful.
“Sal.”
He stopped breathing.
“If you’re watching this, then I either ran out of time… or I was wrong about trusting the people around us.”
Salvatore sat down.
Ruby climbed into his lap.
Sofia continued.
“I found money missing from employee retirement accounts. I traced it to Claire Benton. I think Matteo knows more than he admits.”
Vincent looked away.
“I didn’t tell you immediately because you were already carrying too much. That was a mistake.”
Salvatore closed his eyes.
Even from the grave, Sofia refused to blame him.
That somehow hurt more.
“I’m leaving copies of everything here. Ruby’s music box is the one place no one would think to search.”
Lucinda stared at the floor.
Sofia smiled faintly.
“If Ruby is with you, tell her Mommy loved her more than every star she can count.”
Ruby began crying.
Salvatore held her.
Then Sofia’s face became serious.
“One more thing.”
Salvatore looked at the screen.
“If Claire discovers I have this, she may try to make my death look natural.”
Vincent whispered:
“What?”
Salvatore froze.
Sofia had died after a sudden medical complication during treatment.
Everyone believed the illness had caused it.
Sofia continued.
“I may be paranoid. I hope I am. But if anything happens to me, have my final hospital records independently reviewed.”
The video ended.
Nobody moved.
Salvatore’s entire world seemed to tilt.
Ruby touched his face.
“Daddy?”
He realized he was crying.
“I’m okay, baby.”
He wasn’t.
Marco’s phone rang.
He answered.
Listened.
Then looked at Salvatore.
“Claire’s vehicle was found.”
“Where?”
“Near the north gate.”
“Is she there?”
“No.”
“Then where is she?”
Marco looked toward the mansion.
“The engine is cold.”
Salvatore understood.
Claire hadn’t just returned.
She had never left.
A gunshot exploded downstairs.
Everyone ducked.
Security shouted through the radio.
“Officer down!”
Another shot.
Salvatore grabbed Ruby.
Marco drew his weapon.
Then the house speakers crackled.
Claire Benton’s calm voice filled every room.
“Salvatore.”
Ruby clung to him.
Claire continued.
“Bring me Sofia’s drive.”
A pause.
May you like
“Or this family loses someone else tonight.”
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