The Blame
1468 Words
The necklace stayed hidden in Lina's pocket all night.
She kept touching it to make sure it was still there.
She didn't know why. Maybe because it was the only thing she had from her mother that felt like a real answer.
The old train station was burned into her mind.
The gunshots.
The men running.
Vito pulling her behind him.
And Don Rocco's voice through the phone.
She belongs to the past.
Lina sat on the edge of her bed. She looked at the clock.
2:16 AM.
She had tried sleeping. She couldn't.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the men from the station.
Then she saw Vito.
The way he had looked when he heard Don Rocco's name.
He was scared.
Vito.
The man everyone in the city feared.
He had looked scared.
Lina didn't know what scared her more.
The mafia...
Or the fact that she was starting to trust Vito.
Her phone buzzed. She grabbed it quickly.
A message from an unknown number.
Stop looking into your mother.
Lina's heart started beating faster.
Another message came.
You won't like what you find.
She stared at the screen. Her fingers went cold.
Then the phone rang. She didn't answer.
It stopped.
A few seconds later, another message appeared.
This is your last warning.
Lina threw the phone onto the bed. She walked to the window.
The street below was quiet.
Two of Vito's men stood outside.
She knew they were there. She had started getting used to seeing them. But tonight they made her feel safer.
And that scared her too.
Because she knew Vito had put them there.
She picked up her phone again. She almost called him.
Almost.
Then she stopped.
No.
She didn't want to depend on him. Not like that.
She put the phone down. Then the lights in her apartment went out.
Lina froze. The whole room went black.
What?
She looked toward the window. The street lights were still on. Only her apartment had lost power.
Her breathing became faster. She reached for her phone.
A sound came from the hallway. A door opening.
Lina grabbed the nearest thing she could find. A metal lamp. Her hand shook.
Someone was inside the building.
She heard footsteps. Slow. Coming closer.
Then her phone lit up.
A message from Vito.
Don't move.
Lina stared at it.
Another message came.
My men saw someone enter your building. I'm coming.
She barely had time to breathe.
A loud crash came from the hallway. Then shouting. Two men fighting.
Lina stayed behind the wall.
A few seconds later, the apartment door opened.
Lina!
Vito.
She nearly cried from relief. He stepped inside with his gun raised.
Are you hurt?
She shook her head.
He walked straight to her. His eyes moved over her face, her arms, her body. Checking. Making sure she was okay.
You scared me.
Lina looked at him.
You scared?
He looked away.
Yes.
That one word made her chest hurt. Vito lowered his gun.
I told you not to go anywhere without telling me.
I needed answers.
And now someone came into your home.
I know.
You could have been killed.
Lina's voice became quiet.
You can't protect me every second.
Vito looked at her.
I know.
He said it differently this time. Not angry. Not controlling. Just tired.
Lina looked at him.
What happened to the man?
My men caught him.
Who sent him?
We don't know yet.
Vito looked around the apartment.
Pack a bag.
Lina shook her head.
No.
Lina.
No.
This place isn't safe.
I don't want to leave my home.
Vito took a breath.
I understand.
She looked surprised.
You do?
Yes.
He looked toward the broken door.
But I need you alive.
Lina didn't answer. After a moment, she said,
I'll stay at Maya's.
Vito nodded.
That works.
She looked at him carefully.
You're not going to argue?
No.
A small smile appeared on her face.
Good.
Vito looked at her.
Don't get used to it.
She laughed. It was quiet. But real.
For a moment, the fear disappeared.
---
By morning, the city was already talking.
A robbery had happened at the market. Again. Money was missing. Three shops had been broken into.
And somehow, Lina's name was being mentioned.
She didn't know it yet. But someone had planted evidence inside her shop.
A small black bag.
Inside the bag was money from the market.
And Lina's fingerprints were on it.
Because someone had used a cloth from her shop.
It was enough to make people believe she had stolen it.
At 9 AM, two police cars stopped outside her shop.
Lina had just arrived with Maya. She stopped walking.
What is happening?
Two officers got out. One of them looked at her.
Lina Reyes?
Yes.
You need to come with us.
Maya stepped forward.
Why?
The officer looked at Lina.
Your shop was connected to a robbery.
Lina's face went white.
What?
You are not under arrest yet. We need to ask some questions.
I didn't steal anything.
We'll see.
Maya grabbed Lina's arm.
Don't say anything without a lawyer.
Before Lina could answer, another car stopped. Black.
Vito.
He stepped out. His face changed when he saw the police.
What happened?
The officer looked at him.
Who are you?
Vito ignored the question. He looked at Lina.
Are you okay?
She nodded.
They think I stole money.
Vito's jaw tightened. He turned to the officer.
What's your evidence?
The officer held up a bag.
This was found inside her shop.
Vito stared at it. Then at Lina.
Did you touch this?
No.
The officer shook the bag.
Her fingerprints are on it.
Lina felt sick.
I don't know how.
Vito looked at the bag again. He didn't look angry at Lina. He looked angry for her.
Someone planted it.
The officer raised an eyebrow.
That's convenient.
Vito stepped closer.
Be careful.
The officer didn't move.
I'm just doing my job.
Then do it properly.
The officer looked nervous. Then another voice came from behind.
Vito.
Everyone turned.
Bruno stood across the street. Perfect suit. Calm smile. Watching.
Lina's stomach dropped. Vito saw him too. His eyes became cold.
Bruno crossed the street slowly.
What happened?
Nobody answered. He looked at the police. Then at the bag. Then at Lina.
Oh.
He smiled.
This doesn't look good.
Lina stared at him.
You did this.
Bruno laughed softly.
Me?
You're lying.
I wouldn't do something like that.
Vito stepped between them.
Leave.
Bruno looked at Vito.
You're getting angry.
You should be scared.
Bruno smiled.
I'm not.
Then he walked away.
Lina watched him go.
I hate him.
Vito looked at her.
Good.
She looked at him.
Why?
Because I don't trust people who smile when someone else is suffering.
---
That afternoon, Lina sat in a small police room. Maya was waiting outside. Vito had left to find out who planted the evidence.
The officer put a file on the table.
Where were you last night?
At home.
Anyone with you?
No.
Then how did your fingerprints get on the bag?
I don't know.
The officer sighed.
You understand how this looks.
Lina's eyes filled with tears.
I didn't do it.
The door opened. A man walked in. He was older. Gray hair. Simple black suit. He carried a folder.
I'm Judge Toni.
Lina looked at him.
Judge?
I used to be.
He sat down.
I heard about your case.
The officer looked annoyed.
This is an investigation.
I know.
Judge Toni opened the folder.
There is something wrong with the evidence.
What?
He showed them a photograph.
The fingerprints on the bag were taken from a cloth.
Lina stared.
So?
So the bag itself has no fingerprints.
The officer frowned.
That doesn't prove anything.
It proves someone touched the cloth first.
Toni looked at Lina.
Someone who had access to your shop.
Lina thought about it. Then she remembered.
Bruno.
He had walked around her shop. He had touched her things.
Her face changed.
Bruno.
Vito suddenly appeared at the doorway. He had heard her.
Bruno?
Lina nodded.
He touched everything when he came to my shop.
Vito's eyes became dark. Judge Toni closed the folder.
Then you may have a problem bigger than a robbery.
Lina looked at him.
What do you mean?
Toni looked toward Vito.
Because Bruno isn't working alone.
Silence filled the room. Vito's phone rang. He answered.
What?
Marco's voice came through.
Boss, we found something.
What?
The missing money.
Vito's face hardened.
Where?
In Bruno's warehouse.
Vito looked at Lina.
The lie had finally started to crack.
But it was only the beginning.
Because Bruno had left one thing behind.
A file.
And on the front of it was one name.
ELENA REYES.
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