Page 110 of Mafioso's Muse

‘I worry that Miss Hayes’s reimagining of events paints me in a rather bad light,’ Harrison said when the questions finally stopped coming at Willow.

Caroline, who was clearly invested in Willow and Vaughn’s romantic relationship by that point, frowned in his direction. ‘You will have an opportunity to speak next, Mr Walsh.’ Her gaze returned to Vaughn. ‘Is there anything else you would like to add before we take a break, Mr Gallo?’

Unfortunately, no amount of support for their relationship could alter the reality of that night.

The other board members, who’d been scrutinising the mafioso all morning, appeared more relaxed as they waited for his reply. Vaughn’s silence was amplified by the stillness of the room. Willow’s fingers tightened around the edges of her chair as she snuck a glance at him, trying to predict what he would do or say next.

‘Actually,’ Vaughn said, his foot sliding off his knee and returning to the floor, ‘there was something else I wanted to bring to your attention.’

Harrison looked up at the ceiling, visibly out of patience, while Nigel leaned forwards with interest.

‘And what is that?’ David asked.

Willow held her breath as she waited for him to speak.

Vaughn opened his Cartier briefcase and pulled out a manila folder. He drew some documents from it. ‘May I?’ he asked, looking between the board members.

Mary scowled at the documents he was holding but was curious enough to say, ‘If they’re relevant to our discussion, then go ahead.’

Vaughn rose from his chair and handed each board member a copy. ‘I think you’ll find this information is quite relevant.’ He returned to his seat and gave them a moment to flick through the pages.

The falling feeling in Willow’s stomach got worse because she had no idea what was on those pages.

‘What exactly are we looking at here?’ Patrick asked, glancing up at Vaughn with a confused expression.

‘Evidence,’ Vaughn said, his voice smooth and composed. ‘While the police have been somewhat useful in their efforts, I decided to do some investigating of my own.’ He paused. ‘I’ve spent the past few weeks gathering and verifying information, making sure everything is in order before sharing it with you. It’s all there.’

Harrison leaned all the way forwards in an attempt to see the papers. ‘Doweget a copy of this so-called evidence?’

Vaughn looked briefly in his direction but didn’t answer him.

An unnerving silence settled over the room as the board members turned pages. Then wide-eyed glances were exchanged. Willow felt like the air was thickening with every breath she drew. Her heart was pounding so hard in her chest that she feared her newly healed rib might break again.

‘I’m concerned that I’m misinterpreting what I’m reading,’ David said, flicking back to the first page. ‘Perhaps you could talk us through it, Mr Gallo.’

Vaughn nodded. ‘Of course. The first page you’ve likely already seen. It’s the quality inspection report carried out before the new stage was used.’

‘A lot of good that inspection was,’ Harrison said. ‘It seems anyone can be bought nowadays.’

Caroline’s eyebrows came together in a disapproving line. ‘Mr Walsh, if you could hold your comments until after Mr Gallo has finished speaking, that would be greatly appreciated.’

Colour filled Harrison’s cheeks.

‘The second page is the police report,’ Vaughn continued. ‘It includes evidence of problems like dead knots, twisted timber, shakes, and other upsets in the structure.’

‘Conveniently missed,’ Harrison muttered under his breath, unable to help himself.

Vaughn didn’t even look at him this time. ‘The third page you’ll find interesting. It’s an independent report showing the defects were manufactured after the first inspection was carried out.’

It took Willow a moment to absorb what had just been said. She blinked, not sure she understood correctly.

‘What?’ That was Nigel, unable to hold the question in.

Mary brought the papers closer to her face. ‘Is this suggesting that the stage was tampered withafterit was deemed safe?’

‘That doesn’t make sense,’ Patrick said, sitting back in his chair. ‘Who would go to such extraordinary effort? With no way of knowing when the collapse would happen? According to this, it could have gone down at any time. Even before the dancers stepped foot on it. So what was the point?’

Vaughn laced his fingers together. ‘Everything you just said is valid. But what if it wasn’t about the dancers? What if this person simply wanted the stage to fail in some way?’

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