Chapter 10 - [THE WATCH IN THE SEWING BOX]
Claire walked into the bedroom, holding the silver pocket watch.
Margaret was sitting up in bed, reading a book. She looked up and smiled, but the smile instantly vanished when she saw what was in Claire’s hand.
“Where did you find that?” Margaret whispered, her face turning entirely pale.
“In the false bottom of your sewing box,” Claire said softly. She walked over and sat on the edge of the mattress. “Mom. Why do you have Joseph Mercer’s watch? And why does the engraving call him 'beloved son'?”
Margaret looked away, her eyes filling with tears. She took a deep, shuddering breath. The secrets were over. It was time.
“Because he didn't just give me the hush money to save your life, Claire,” Margaret cried softly. “Joseph gave me his life to save yours.”
Margaret reached out and gently touched the silver watch.
“Joseph and I were together,” Margaret whispered. “We were in love. We wanted to be married. But he was deeply embedded in the Bellini family’s business. He knew it wasn't safe. When I got pregnant with you, we decided to keep it a total secret. We pretended to just be boss and employee.”
Claire’s breath caught in her throat. The room spun around her.
“Joseph was my father?” Claire asked, her voice cracking.
Margaret nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks. “He loved you so much, Claire. When Victor found out Joseph knew about the car, Joseph knew he was going to die. He told Victor he’d go quietly, and let me take the hush money, as long as Victor promised to leave you and me alone. He died protecting us.”
Claire clutched the watch to her chest, sobbing. The father she never knew wasn't a coward or a thief. He was a hero who had sacrificed everything for her.
A soft knock on the open bedroom door made them both look up.
Dominic was standing in the doorway. He had heard everything.
He walked into the room, his eyes filled with a deep, respectful sorrow. He looked at Margaret, then at Claire.
“Joseph was a good man,” Dominic said quietly. “He deserved better than the ending my family gave him.”
Claire wiped her eyes and held out the silver watch to Dominic.
“Look at the engraving,” Claire said. “It says 'To my beloved son, Joseph.' But Joseph’s last name was Mercer. Why would he have a watch that looks like a Bellini heirloom?”
Dominic took the watch. He studied the heavy silver casing, the intricate gears. He flipped it over and examined the back.
He froze.
Dominic rubbed his thumb over a tiny, almost microscopic series of numbers engraved on the back plate.
CFB - 402.
“Dominic?” Claire asked, seeing his expression change. “What is it?”
“This isn't just a pocket watch,” Dominic said, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. “The gears inside the casing are rigged. It’s a mechanical key.”
“A key to what?” Margaret asked.
“CFB,” Dominic read. “Chicago Fidelity Bank. My father owned that bank before he died. It was shut down ten years ago.”
Dominic looked at Claire, a terrifying realization dawning on his face.
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“Claire, Joseph wasn't just my family’s tailor,” Dominic said. “If my father gave him this key, Joseph was hiding something else. Something Victor didn't even know about.”
TITLE: THE VAULT BENEATH THE CITY
