Pipe Burst Guest novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: Tullio's Seven

"I signed my mother's maiden name," I said, "and I did it on purpose."

The lawyer's pleasant face did not move, but his hand tightened on the case.

"Thursday morning my best friend brought me three pages at my father's grave," I said. "She cried while she handed them over."

"Marisa," Ines said.

"I read them that night. Page three releases every captain at this table from the oath to my father's blood."

I looked down the long row of men.

"Cesare did not want me to rest. He wanted you free of me, so that nothing was left that you owed me."

"That's a lie," Cesare said.

"Then why did you want it signed?"

He did not answer, and the old captain turned his head and looked at him.

"I signed a name that cannot release anyone," I said. "And your lawyer just laid it on the table in front of fourteen men and called it forgery."

The lawyer cleared his throat.

"The form is evidence of her state of mind, nothing more," he said.

"It's evidence of who wrote it," I said, "and who needed it signed."

Nico had not moved from the wall.

I did not look at him.

I opened my folder, and took out a clear sleeve with a sheet of cream paper in it.

"Cesare," I said. "You told me last night this was in a safe nobody could open."

His face went still.

I walked the length of the table and put the sleeve down in front of the old captain.

"Read it aloud," I said. "You are the only man here old enough to know the hand."

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