Vinicius seems dazed but happy as he embraces me. “Single fucking handed.”
“The firefighters managed to put the fire out and most of the house is still standing,” Chiara tells me. “I hope they swarm that place and Mr. De Luca’s home. If he’s a serial killer, there must be evidence inside.”
“I hope so, too, baby.” Either way, he’s dead and we know who murdered our sisters, and that’s the most important thing.
Chiara looks around at the fountain. “This is where you used to bring Ophelia,” she whispers. “How are you feeling?”
I kiss her smoky forehead, still smiling. “Everything I ever wanted is right here. I’m so fucking happy, baby. Now, come on. Let’s all go home.”
Three days later, we’re all sitting in my house watching the news together. De Luca’s picture is in one corner of the screen with the caption, Dead man suspected to be the Black Orchid Murderer.
The news anchors are reporting on forensic evidence found in De Luca’s lake house that links him to our sisters’ unsolved murders. They then cut to the mayor who’s giving a faux-bewildered interview outside city hall.
“He was one of my acquaintances. I had no idea he could be capable of something like this. My heart goes out to his wife and daughter in this terrible time. I hope that the victims’ families will find consolation from the reopening of this investigation. The people of Coldlake deserve answers.”
Lorenzo swears loudly. “You fucking snake.”
“I guess Dad asked the chief of police to give all the evidence back to the detectives,” Chiara says, her expression bitter.
The news anchor goes on to say that De Luca is also suspected of being involved in other unsolved murders across several more states.
Chiara’s expression softens. “That’s some good news. I hope Kira Campbell’s family and all the other families will get some closure now.”
I put my arm around her shoulders and kiss her forehead. “I hope so too, baby.”
So far, no police have come knocking on my door asking my whereabouts at the time De Luca was murdered. Mrs. De Luca and Nicole told the police they were out shopping when Mr. De Luca was killed and they don’t know a thing. They’re doing remarkably well considering they just found out they’ve been living with a sadistic killer. Chiara’s told me that their home has never been a happy one. He never mistreated them but he was cold and evasive over the years. Now they know why.
Lorenzo is watching the mayor with glittering eyes. “Now that we know who killed our sisters, there’s no reason this son of a bitch should go on breathing.”
Vinicius sits forward, his elbows on his knees as he gazes at Chiara. “How very true. What do you think, Chiara?”
She’s still gazing at the screen. “I thought maybe Dad might get pulled into this investigation, but it looks like he’s covered his tracks.”
Cassius cracks his knuckles. “How about we take care of this ourselves? A little more vengeance after all we’ve been through could really take the edge off.”
I don’t care what anyone says about revenge not being satisfying. Murdering De Luca with my own hands was exactly what I needed. I’ll happily shoot Mayor Romano full of bullets or stab him in the throat. Whatever Chiara wants.
“Dad has a campaign rally next week,” Chiara tells us. “What do you all think of some public vengeance?”
I give her a broad smile. “Baby, tell me more.”
21
Chiara
A new beginning for Coldlake!
The mayor’s campaign banner in shades of black and gold stretches across the stage. The podium stands empty and waiting for him.
All around me, people are buzzing with excitement and waving little black and gold flags and cardboard signs like this is a parade. They’re energized in anticipation of an easy win. Dad’s opponent has been torn apart by the press and on social media, and his rallies are a flop. I’d feel sorry for Christian Galloway if he hadn’t refused to pull out of the race and let his running mate, a composed and intelligent woman, take his place. His career is over but he’s too stubborn to realize.
I’m three rows back, right in front of the podium. A brown wig conceals my hair, and I have dark sunglasses over my face. The loose black dress I’m wearing can’t conceal my bump, so I sit with my arms wrapped around my belly.
Can you feel where we are, little one? We have an excellent seat for grandpa’s demise.
Somewhere behind me, my four men are concealed among the crowd, dressed inconspicuously and concealing weapons.
A few minutes later, loud music plays and Dad strides out onto the stage, confident and smiling. I saw him like this so many times. In earlier years, Mom and I would be up there with him, applauding with everyone else.
Dad launches into his speech and he’s polished and engaging as always. He draws many cheers from the crowd.
“There’s a bright future for Coldlake. A new beginning! But first, let’s see just how far we’ve come.”
Dad steps aside and smiles up at the huge screen over the stage. A trailer starts to play with energetic music and sweeping shots of the city.
Suddenly, the music cuts out and the picture changes. In place of the smiling family riding bicycles around the lake is a stark basement with rough brick walls and a concrete floor. Two people are tied to chairs in the middle of the shot.
One dark-haired man. One blonde woman.
There are gasps from the crowd as they realize who they are. The mayor, only he doesn’t look anything like the mayor they know and love, and his daughter. Mayor Romano’s normally so friendly and open expression is cold and closed, and his heart is closed to the daughter weeping quietly beside him.
And then they hear their conversation.
I suppose you thought you’d impress the Coldlake Syndicate when you killed Mom.
Slitting that woman’s throat is the best thing I ever did.
The whole time the video is playing, the mayor frantically tries to have his audiovisual people turn it off, but for some reason, they’re not listening to him.
A few minutes later, the screen goes black, but not because the video has been turned off. We’ve shown everyone what they needed to see, for now. The full video is being emailed to every newspaper in the city and posted all over social media.
Everyone in Coldlake is going to have watched this video by the end of the night.
They’ll see how Vinicius and I tricked Dad into speaking, but they’ll understand the truth of what Dad said. He knew who the Coldlake killer was all these years and did nothing.
And he murdered Mom.
There’s shocked silence from the crowd, and then the murmuring begins.
I stand up and take my wig and glasses off. I’m the only one standing, and I feel people’s attention pulled to me. I do nothing except stand and watch Dad.
And wait.
It doesn’t take long, just a few seconds. Dad’s panicked gaze lands on me and his eyes narrow. “You did this, you spiteful bitch.”
Everyone who wasn’t already looking at me turns to me. People are suddenly recording us on their phones. I smile up at Dad.