Chapter 42
JOSEPH
It helps that I have no emotion, especially when dealing with women like Priscilla Van Der Hudson.
Tiffany is struggling. It’s obvious and I reassure her with a gentle pressure on her hands.
I’m interested in hearing Priscilla’s story. It may shed some light on the mystery, and she leans back in her chair and prepares to deliver a narrative that has been a long time coming.
“When I left, I went home to my mother. It was the only place I could think of. She was horrified that I had left you. She was a formidable woman and her disappointment showed.”
Tiffany nods, apparently agreeing with her late grandmother.
“We tried everything to get you back, Tiffany. The legal route and my mother even enlisted the help of my father, but we got nowhere. I spiraled into depression. I drank—heavily. I spent the night with a guy I met in a bar and woke up disgusted with myself. When I returned home, my mother was dead.”
Tiffany gasps, tears rolling down her face, and Priscilla sighs. “The doctor told me it was a stroke, but I found evidence to the contrary.”
“What evidence?”
“A business card left on the table that wasn’t there before. Morgan Sorcusi. On the back it merely said, I’ll see you next time, Priscilla.”
Tiffany turns to me and the horror in her expression tells me how worried she is because, of course, she is only too aware of Morgan’s capabilities.
“I was so frightened. I could only think of one place to go — the church. They were so kind and the priest that I met arranged for me to take haven in The Order of the Holy Mother of God.”
“My convent?” Tiffany exclaims and Priscilla nods.
“The same. It was no coincidence you discovered the place, Tiffany, but I’ll get to that later.”
She smiles, as if revisiting a happy memory.
“I loved it there. A peaceful retreat that gave me time to reflect. My roomie was a kind woman. Agatha.”
Tiffany’s grip on my hand tightens, but outwardly she shows no emotion. She’s learning.
“I told her everything. She proved a good listener. We became firm friends and when Sister Margaret, the mother superior at the time, arranged a position nearby, I was rather sad to leave.”
“Where did you go?”
Tiffany leans forward and her mother smiles with a soft expression.
“I worked in RJB banking enterprises. I worked for a man called Riordan and, well, we kind of hit it off personally too. We married and were, sorry, are, so happy. Riordan became a partner and soon dealt with corporate clients. Ironically, Enrico was one of them. It didn’t take long for Riordan to realize how much debt Enrico was in and only your inheritances were keeping the company going.
I told him about Morgan and the Sorcusi mafia and how worried I was for you all, and he devised a plan to secure your future. ”
I lean forward. “What plan?”
“All in good time, Joseph. Humor me.”
I’m actually beginning to like Tiffany’s mom. She thinks like a mafia don, and I have to respect that.
“Riordan met with Enrico and told him something off the record. To make a second will, one that superseded the existing one and to add in protection for his daughters.”
“And father agreed. That surprises me.”
Tiffany sound doubtful.
“Of course, he agreed. Enrico, by then, was desperate. Riordan showed him a way out and together they devised the plan and locked it away, one key for each daughter that could only find the lock if the terms of will are met.”
She glances at me with a twisted smile.
“I wonder if they have been?”
Tiffany blushes as Priscilla laughs.
“Where does Malik Karim fit into this?”
I ask because I’ve been curious ever since Tiffany got the message from Eliza. The meeting with Walter was easily explained, but why does he require us to find Priscilla if she is meant to be hiding?
“Because I asked him to.”
She shrugs. “Via Riordan of course.”
“But why are you here? Surely you are safer with your husband?” Tiffany asks.
“I’m not, darling. None of us are safe and I include you in that.
All the time Morgan Sorcusi breathes, the contracts stand.
You, your sisters, me and the Ravera mafia are in danger because that woman wants what she has put so much into the past ten or so years.
The company is worthless. You are her only asset and I am a threat.
The Ravera mafia is standing in the way of her pocketing millions by selling you and your sisters to Raphael Demitri and declaring you dead when you wash up one day after having served your purpose. Then Morgan gets it all.”
“But there is nothing left.”
I add more for interest than anything and Priscilla grins.
“Not in the business for sure, but the game isn’t over until the last move is made.”
She leans forward, and this time stares at me with a hard expression.
“Kill Morgan Sorcusi and then wait for Tiffany’s twenty-fifth birthday. If she has no child, you will never discover what the Diamond Dynasty is really all about.”
“Then tell us.”
“I wish I could, but you must forgive me, Mr. Ravera. I have played this game for a long time and I’m not about to bend the rules to suit someone new to it.
Do what you must. It will set me free from this prison at least and perhaps we can salvage something of a future when that disgusting woman is partying in hell. ”
She turns to Tiffany.
“Be strong, my darling, you are a Van Der Hudson after all. You know where I am now, but please do not visit me again. For your safety, not mine. Come back when Morgan is dead. I will be waiting.”
She points to the door.
“You should leave and make certain to scrub your names from the visitor’s book. Rather careless if you signed it in your real names. You must do better next time.”
She stands and I’m astonished at how alike the two women are. Tiffany is beautiful and her mom is elegant and attractive.
“I don’t deserve to ask this darling, but may I hold you?”
I’m surprised when her lip quivers. The only indication there is any emotion in this woman at all and Tiffany’s eyes sparkle as she nods and approaches her mother.
As they embrace, something hits me hard, emotion for sure, happiness for my wife. Luck had a part in bringing us together, but many years of practicing my craft will bring an end to their suffering. Only one woman will suffer and it’s a good job we are heading there first thing in the morning.