Page 16 of Angel's Whisper

“And what is it you need to confess, my child.”

Isotta fell quiet. She wanted to speak, to pour out her heart. She adjusted uncomfortably in her seat.

“I don't know why I'm here,” she uttered as much to herself as she did to the priest.

“The burdens of our heart are often hard to speak aloud, but consider the benefit of unburdening yourself,” the priest suggested.

She contemplated for a moment longer whether to leave or to stay, whether to speak or to be silent, whether to rage or to let it go. Isotta reluctantly decided to speak. She'd made the effort to get dressed and come to the church. She may as well.

“I have some feelings about,” she hesitated, “some feelings about my husband,” she whispered.

The priest didn't push with a question or another comment. He simply waited.

“I have mixed emotions. I know why, but I'd rather not say. I'm angry and, sad and confused by his actions. I want to think the best, you know? But I feel... used.”

She was embarrassed even speaking those words aloud.

“Who do you seek forgiveness for?” The priest asked. She thought about his question.

“I don't know.”

“Forgiveness is to be sought by the individual for the individual.” the priest continued. “It is only when an individual is in purgatory that another can pray on their behalf.”

“So, what can I do?” What am I doing here? She thought to herself.

“You can feel how you feel for as long as you need to feel it. In the meantime, you can pray that God will soften your heart so one day you're able to forgive.”

“We can't wait for Ricci to solve our problem,” Costanza said. “Call Liburn.”

Allen Liburn was the family’s corporate attorney.

“It's good to hear from you again. What can I help you with?” Liburn asked.

Francesco ran the scenario down for the attorney. “We need movement on this right away.”

“Let me see what I can do,” Liburn commented. “I'll get back to you as soon as I can.”

“Either way, keep us posted on your progress.”

“Will do.”

After the call was disconnected, Costanza raised the question. “Did you have the audit done on our books, specifically with Ricci's company?”

“Yes,” Francesco answered. “We didn't find any particular vulnerabilities. Still, this situation is rather unsettling. They have access to everything, all of our most confidential information. We are most vulnerable to them.”

“I don't like it. I don't like it at all.”

Francesco sat back in his seat with his hands steepled in front of him. “It's a catch-22. We are tied to them, bound by vows to them.”

“We still must maintain the upper hand. Figure out how to get it done.”

Massimo sat in his office. He had gone over the security tapes. He checked them twice and was convinced he had found the leak. He needed to demonstrate to his father that he could handle any job put before him so he could take his rightful place as CEO of the company. Massimo had no intention of letting his father down.

The buzz of his desk phone interrupted Massimo’s train of thought.

“Mr. Adele is here for your meeting, sir.”

“Wait five minutes and then send him in.”

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