Chapter 7 - Megan Walked Into the Marini Funeral Wearing Red
Luca Marini’s funeral happened eight days late.
His body had spent too long moving between lies.
By then the city knew two things officially:
Luca was murdered.
Lorenzo was under arrest.
What public did not know was that Megan's first gunshot had contributed but not caused death.
Prosecutors, after reviewing evidence of attempted assault and forensic reconstruction, treated her as self-defense witness rather than homicide suspect.
That did not make grief simple.
Luca had attacked her.
Luca had also tried exposing monstrous network.
Both facts occupied same coffin.
His funeral became opportunity.
Remaining Marini captains, corrupt businessmen and politicians would attend.
Victor Hale likely too.
Why?
Because Victor had represented Russo interests in old Blue Jade partnership cleanup.
If he financed Megan's bounty, he might attempt contact with survivors of network.
Federal investigators wanted surveillance.
Megan wanted something else.
Luca's final suit.
The one she made.
Jimmy finished it.
Megan sewed hidden pocket closed herself—but placed inside a copy of trafficking victim names and a note:
You were not forgiven. But the truth you tried to expose will survive you.
Private.
For herself more than him.
She wore red to funeral.
Not black.
Fiona asked why.
“Because every man in that church expects me to be ashamed.”
Red coat.
Black dress.
No hiding.
Dean arrived separately.
No “my woman” performance.
After tailor-shop bluff, rumors had spread that Megan belonged to Russo.
She hated phrase.
Dean corrected anyone who used it.
“She belongs to herself.”
That reached city faster than threat.
At church, whispers followed Megan.
Luca's mother was supposedly dead? Elena might be alive under protection. We need bring her. A gray-haired woman sat back pew, guarded.
Megan recognized from Blue Jade photograph.
Elena Marini.
Alive.
Federal protection had kept identity hidden for years.
She had returned only after Lorenzo's arrest.
When Megan approached, Elena stood.
“You're Megan.”
“Yes.”
“You shot my son.”
The words hit.
“Yes.”
“Was he hurting you?”
“Yes.”
Elena closed eyes.
Then:
“Then I'm sorry for what my son did.”
Megan's throat tightened.
“I’m sorry he died.”
Both truths.
Elena touched coffin.
“Luca was always two men fighting inside one body. Sometimes better man won. Sometimes not.”
No absolution.
Just mother.
She told Megan that Luca had contacted her secretly six months earlier, saying he wanted expose Lorenzo and leave.
She warned him not to use innocent people.
He ignored.
“I think he believed intentions made damage acceptable.”
Megan:
“A lot of powerful men do.”
Elena looked toward Dean.
“Yes.”
During funeral, Victor Hale arrived.
Silver-haired.
Elegant.
Dean's attorney.
He hugged Dean like uncle.
Megan watched.
Victor glanced at her only once.
Too neutral.
After service, reception held Marini hotel.
Federal agents monitored.
Megan approached Victor deliberately.
“You're Mr. Hale?”
“Yes.”
“Dean speaks highly.”
Lie.
Victor smiled.
“He has terrible judgment.”
Interesting.
She wore a vintage brooch containing recording device.
Victor asked:
“Are you enjoying protection?”
“I wouldn’t use that word.”
“What word?”
“Complication.”
He laughed.
Then:
“You should leave city.”
“Why?”
“Too many people blame you.”
“Someone offered two million.”
His smile didn't move.
“You're well informed.”
“How much would you offer?”
That got slight reaction.
“Excuse me?”
“To leave.”
“Are you asking me to bribe you?”
“I’m a tailor. I negotiate.”
He leaned closer.
“Five.”
Megan's pulse jumped.
“Million?”
“If you disappear permanently.”
There.
Not proof of bounty, but revealing.
“Why do you care?”
Victor’s eyes cooled.
“Because Dean has become sentimental. Sentiment ruins dynasties.”
Megan:
“Did it ruin Michael Russo?”
Victor went still.
She continued.
“Blue Jade.”
His hand tightened on glass.
“Careful.”
“You knew Michael and Enzo were closing routes.”
“Megan.”
“You hired Anthony and Bellini.”
He whispered:
“You have no idea what men like Michael planned to do.”
“What?”
“Turn everything legitimate.”
She almost laughed.
That's motive?
Victor had built career and fortune off hidden enterprises. Michael's legitimacy would expose old crimes and strip people like him.
“You killed Dean's father because he wanted clean business?”
Victor's expression hardened.
“I didn't kill anyone.”
“No. You paid men.”
Then he looked beyond her.
Dean standing across room.
Victor realized.
Trap.
He smiled.
“You're clever.”
“I sew.”
“Apparently.”
Then he leaned near ear.
“You'll never make it to trial.”
Megan stepped back.
Dean approached.
“Threatening her in a funeral, Victor?”
“Advising.”
Dean:
“You financed bounty.”
Victor:
“You'll believe a tailor over me?”
Dean looked at Megan.
“Yes.”
Simple.
Victor's face finally changed.
He left before arrest could occur? Agents lacked enough yet. They followed.
That night he disappeared.
His accounts emptied.
Private plane grounded but he didn't board.
Then Dean received package.
Inside Blue Jade tattoo photograph.
Young Dean injured.
Taken night Megan saved him.
Victor had watched campsite.
He knew Megan existed for ten years.
A note:
She was always the loose thread. You should have cut it when you had the chance.
Megan felt sick.
Dean stared.
Victor had known who she was before Luca ever entered her shop.
Maybe Luca choosing Megan wasn't his independent idea.
Maybe information came through Victor.
Why connect them?
Because Victor wanted Dean pulled into war.
Megan had been selected from beginning precisely because Dean would never abandon woman who saved him.
The entire conspiracy relied on his loyalty.
May you like
And Victor knew exactly how to weaponize his oldest promise.
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