"There's more. The medical examiner who did the original autopsy? Paid off. He's since died but his daughter found his personal notes admitting he falsified the report at Salvatore's request. Those notes are in the file."
"This is serious." Father Benedetto's voice was quiet. "But it's also old. Fifteen years past. Why bring it now?"
"Because it establishes a pattern. My father has been killing people who oppose him and making it look like accidents for decades. Which brings me to the second major violation. Territory expansion without Council approval."
I pulled out maps. Highlighted areas. Showed documentation of Salvatore taking over businesses and property that technically belonged to other families or neutral zones.
"The Genovese territory in Brooklyn. Salvatore muscled in two years ago. The Colombo gambling operations in Queens.Taken over last year. All done quietly. All violating our agreements about maintaining territorial boundaries."
Antonio Moretti leaned forward. "We've noticed some of these movements. Haven't acted because we weren't sure of the scope. You're saying this is systematic?"
"Completely systematic. He's been quietly building an empire that threatens everyone at this table. In five years, if this continues, he'll control half the city. And once he has that much power, what's to stop him from coming after your territories? Your operations? Your families?"
Uncomfortable silence. I'd hit a nerve. Good.
"But that's not the worst of it." I pulled out the recording device. "This is a conversation between Salvatore Accardi and Vincent Romano from three months ago. The night Antonio Romano was killed. I need you to listen to the entire thing before making any judgments."
I hit play.
Vincent's panicked voice filled the chamber. Talking about Antonio calling off the wedding. About taking Aria and running.
Then my father. Cold. Calculating. Ordering murder.
The planning. The execution. The confirmation after Antonio died.
By the time it finished, the Council members looked furious. Even the normally unflappable Giovanni had color rising in his face.
"This is confirmation that Salvatore Accardi murdered Antonio Romano in conspiracy with Vincent Romano. Antonio was within his rights to call off an arranged marriage. That's been Council law for over a century. Killing him for exercising that right is murder. Plain and simple."
"How do we know these recordings are authentic?" Vincent Gallo challenged. "Audio can be faked. Manipulated. We need more than a voice that might be Salvatore Accardi."
"Then bring in Vincent Romano. Question him directly. He'll confirm everything to save himself. Throw my father under the bus in exchange for leniency. It's what cowards do."
Father Benedetto looked at the other Council members. Some silent conversation passed between them.
"Very well. Giovanni, send men to collect Vincent Romano. Bring him here immediately. We'll hear his testimony directly." Father Benedetto turned back to me. "While we wait, tell us more about these territory violations. Specific incidents. Names. Dates."
For the next hour, I laid out everything. Every piece of evidence. Every violation. Every crime my father had committed in the name of building his empire.
The Council asked questions. Sharp. Probing. Testing my claims against what they knew.
I answered everything. Showed documentation. Provided witnesses they could contact. Made it impossible for them to dismiss this as family drama.
Finally, the doors opened. Two guards escorted Vincent Romano into the chamber.
He looked terrible. Pale. Sweating. Eyes darting around like a trapped animal.
"Vincent Romano." Giovanni's voice cut through the tension. "We have some questions about your brother's death and your relationship with Salvatore Accardi. I suggest you answer truthfully. Lying to this Council has severe consequences."
Vincent's eyes found me. I saw the calculation there. The desperate search for a way out.
"I want immunity. Protection. If I testify against Salvatore, he'll kill me."
"That depends on what you have to say." Father Benedetto leaned forward. "Start talking. Tell us about the night Antonio died."
Vincent broke. Just completely fell apart under the pressure.
The words spilled out. How Salvatore had wanted Aria. How Antonio had refused. How Salvatore had convinced Vincent that killing his own brother was the only way to secure both their futures.
