Chapter 6 - Dinner With a Ghost

Alejandro stepped into the main corridor alone.

He ordered Elena to remain with the children.

She refused.

“We’re done hiding.”

So together they climbed toward the mansion.

The foyer was empty.

No servants.

No guards.

Only the sound of rain.

Then music began playing in the formal dining room.

Rafael’s favorite jazz record.

Alejandro entered.

A long table had been set for dinner.

Candles flickered.

Two plates waited.

At the far end sat Rafael Castillo.

Alive.

Older.

Thinner.

But alive.

“Hello, brother.”

Alejandro stared at him.

Rafael raised a glass.

“You look disappointed.”

“You let me bury you.”

“No.”

Rafael smiled.

“You buried an empty coffin.”

Alejandro wanted to attack him.

Instead, he remained still.

“Why Elena?”

Rafael leaned back.

“Because you loved her more than the company.”

Vivian entered carrying a folder.

“And because Elena’s father was smarter than anyone knew.”

She placed the documents on the table.

Elena approached cautiously.

The documents contained trust agreements.

Signatures.

Medical declarations.

Power-of-attorney forms.

All apparently signed by Elena.

“I never signed these.”

Vivian nodded.

“Of course you did.”

Elena stared at her.

“You drugged me.”

“Medication can affect memory.”

Alejandro examined the pages.

“These transfers aren’t complete.”

Rafael smiled.

“That’s our problem.”

One clause required Elena to appear voluntarily before trustees once every four years.

The deadline was in eleven days.

If she failed to appear, control would temporarily revert to a charitable foundation.

Vivian could not steal the assets.

Not unless Elena appeared alive.

“You were preparing to present her.”

Alejandro finally understood.

Rafael nodded.

“A stable Elena.”

“A cooperative Elena.”

“A wife who would explain she left voluntarily because her abusive husband frightened her.”

Alejandro’s jaw tightened.

Rafael pointed toward him.

“Then she signs.”

“You lose credibility.”

“I regain my place at Castillo Holdings.”

“And Vivian gets paid.”

Vivian’s smile disappeared slightly.

“I get more than paid.”

Elena looked at her.

“What?”

Rafael laughed.

“Oh, she hasn’t told you?”

Vivian’s face hardened.

Rafael enjoyed the moment.

“Vivian Moretti isn’t working for me.”

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He looked at Alejandro.

“She’s Elena’s half-sister.”