Katrina sometimes said she would kill me in my sleep. She told me to keep one eye open if I wanted to live. I stayed awake those nights in case she meant it. I wasn’t afraid to die, but I didn’t want to leave Mama alone. I didn’t want Master Michael to hurt her more, and I thought Katrina would kill her next.
The agent flipped to a different page and read another one.
I called Master Michael daddy once when he visited the ranch. I heard someone say that was what he was to me, but he got angry and beat me. Mama begged him not to kill me. He stopped because Frankie made him. Frankie hit Michael for it and I remember thinking we weren’t the only people who got punished like that. I should’ve been scared, but it made me feel like maybe Frankie didn’t hate me. He hit his son, but he still loved him, right?
Agent Cerone glanced at him when he was finished. “The Antonellis? So unfortunate about their deaths.”
Vincent sat still, not giving any indication he was panicking inside. Things were unraveling quickly.
“How about one more?” Agent Cerone asked, flipping to another page. “I think you’ll personally find this one fascinating.”
I’ll never forget the look in his eyes. I was only trying to do what he told me to do, because I didn’t want to get in trouble for not listening. I thought he was going to kill me, but he did something worse. He left me alone in the dark. He was nice to me, and I didn’t want to disappoint him. I dream about the look on his face when he turned into a monster. I wish I could forget. I wish Dr. DeMarco liked me.
Vincent kept his expression blank, but the words hit him hard. The agent closed the notebook, shaking his head. “What did you do to the poor girl? Why don’t you like her?”
“Reading that is an invasion of privacy,” Vincent said. “I know the law, and I’m well aware of what you can confiscate during a search and seizure. A young girl’s diary is off limits.”
Special Agent Cerone slipped the notebook into his briefcase. “Like I said, cunning. I’d love to return it. Do you know where I can find her?”
“I’d like to speak to my lawyer.”
He pushed his chair back. “I’m sure you would, Vincenzo. It’s nice to officially meet you after spending so many months monitoring you from afar. If you decide you want to talk after all, I think you can figure out how to get ahold of me.”
* * *
The orange jumpsuit was particularly bright under the fluorescent lights of the busy courtroom. Carmine listened to his lawyer argue that there was no probable cause to keep him incarcerated. The judge seemed bored, and as soon as Mr. Borza stopped speaking, he ordered Carmine released and the charges dropped.
He walked out the doors of the jail, finding Celia waiting for him. “Thanks for springing me.”
She smiled. “You shouldn’t have been in there in the first place. Let’s just hope Mr. Borza has as much luck with Vincent and Corrado.”
“How are they? Fuck, where are they?”
“They’re being detained downtown at MCC. They have hearings next week, though, and the lawyers are confident they can get them released.”
Carmine shook his head. “Another week?”
“Unfortunately.”
A tense silence lingered in the car during the drive to the Morettis’ house as that sunk in with Carmine. It wouldn’t be easy, and he’d have to take some big risks if he was going to save Haven. He always said he would sacrifice for her, and that was exactly what he would have to do.
Celia pulled up to the house, but Carmine remained in the car. She realized he wasn’t moving. “You coming inside?”
He could feel tears building up. “I can’t. I, uh . . . There’s somewhere I have to go.”
“Carmine . . .”
“Look, I’ve made mistakes, but I’d never do anything to get any of you hurt.”
“Okay.” She handed him the car keys. “Just be careful, kiddo.”
* * *
Carmine drove straight to Lincoln Park, parking in front of the five-bedroom mansion that sat alone on a hill. He took a deep breath as he made his way onto the porch, his nerves on edge.
o;Carmine DeMarco,” Special Agent Cerone said. “Have a seat.”
“I have nothing to say to you.”