The Call from the Mountains
Chapter 05 - The Call from the Mountains
Angelo had imagined a reunion with Sofia a hundred different ways. He had imagined her apologizing for leaving, imagined demanding an explanation, imagined scolding her for hurting Matteo. But when he finally heard her voice, he could only say, "Are you safe?"
Sofia wept on the other end.
"Not yet. Is Matteo alive?"
The question nearly knocked him from his chair.
"Yes. He's safe at the hospital. He was left outside in the cold, but he's receiving care."
A sharp breath. "Who left him outside?"
Angelo told her what he knew.
Sofia began crying so hard he could barely understand her.
"I tried to get back," she said. "They told me he'd been sent away. They said if I contacted you, they'd hurt him."
"Where are you?"
"I'm not sure I can trust anyone. Even your security people worked for Vincent."
Angelo closed his eyes. "Then we'll use people outside the family. My attorney will contact you through independent counsel. We can involve law enforcement and arrange somewhere safe."
Sofia was quiet. "You believe me?"
"I should have believed you months ago."
In the silence, Angelo heard a woman who had endured far more than he understood trying to decide whether his words were enough.
Finally she said, "Gabriel made the airplane because Matteo loved the little ones he saw over the lake. He hid a card inside it the week before he died. I was going to bring it to you."
"We found it."
Sofia exhaled. "Then you know."
"Some of it. We don't know everything."
"Vincent and Calder were stealing from the freight division," she said. "Gabriel threatened to report them. Calder warned him to stay quiet. The next week Gabriel died."
"Do you know they caused the crash?"
"I know Gabriel received threats. I don't know who touched the car. That's why he saved the evidence."
Angelo respected the distinction. He wanted guilt established, not invented to fit his anger.
Sofia told him she'd been taken to an isolated residence and held under threats against Matteo. Several months later a woman employed there helped her escape. Sofia changed locations repeatedly, afraid that anyone she contacted might lead Calder to her.
Before they ended the call, Angelo asked one question.
"Why didn't you tell me about the star before you disappeared?"
"I tried. I left you a letter in Gabriel's old desk. Vincent said you read it and called me a liar."
Angelo gripped the telephone.
He had never seen that letter.
When the call ended, he went to the hospital and sat beside Matteo, who was building a tower of plastic blocks.
"Nonno, did you find Mama?"
Angelo knelt. "I spoke to her. She's alive, and she loves you. We are arranging to help her come home safely."
May you like
The little boy stared at him.
Then he knocked over his own tower, crawled into Angelo's arms, and cried until he was exhausted.
