Alex decided to check in with Buzz the next day about the status of the investigation. Inspector Malcolm ‘Buzz’ Hughson worked with Seattle PD on white collar crimes, and Schneider & Pratt had been working with the Seattle PD to get information to bring down criminals who engaged in financial fraud. Their work on different cases had ensured a friendship with each other. Alex was confident Buzz would be able to shed light on the whole matter.

“Hey, Alex. What’s up?” Buzz’s booming voice reminded Alex of their times together. Buzz may look like he was slow, but he had a very sharp mind that noticed even the smallest of details.

“Hey to you. I wanted to check in on that investigation that Brian was leading. He said Mr. Schneider was doing an independent investigation into the data leak from our office.”

“Wait a minute, what investigation are you talking about? We’re not doing anything with Schneider & Pratt. As per official communications, we’re supposed to cease our work with you till the upper brass sort this out.”

“Hold on. Why would Brian tell me they were looking through surveillance footage of everyone? Did he mention I found a connection to the Moretti’s in St. Helena? I’d sent him some details on his personal email address…” Alex’s voice trailed.

“You found a connection to the Moretti’s and didn’t inform me? Send me that information quick. It might save your ass in this data leak. I’ll hold on.”

Alex quickly sent across everything he had, including the news report he found and the addresses of all the firms. He filled Buzz in about Arianna being pressured to sell and the agreement having dubious clauses. Finally, even though it pained him to say it, he mentioned Brian getting excited about whatever action he was planning to take.

“That’s a connection we didn’t explore before, Moretti pressurizing people to sell their properties. But something about this seems off. It’s not the Moretti MO to pressure people for this. Those firms with monthly payouts you mentioned sound like a classic money laundering operation, whether it is related to the Morettis or not. I’ll have my team check.”

Alex sighed. This was not looking good for either Brian or him. But he had no proof of Brian opening or looking into the data leak except for his word, and that was not going to be enough evidence in any court of law. All he had were his suspicions as to why Brian would lie to him. He waited on call for Buzz to talk to his contacts in the FBI. He only hoped this would not be another dead end. If it was, his career was probably finished. There would be no evidence to prove his innocence, and his conversations with Brian indicated he had information he hadn’t disclosed to the authorities. Alex put the phone on speaker and paced around the room nervously.

Buzz’s excited voice broke through his thoughts. Alex quickly turned off the speaker and paid attention to what Buzz was saying.

“Alex, we’ve hit pay dirt. My source in the FBI confirmed one of those parties, Birken Pharmacy, is one they’ve been tracking for suspicious activity for a while. These names you’ve given, along with their addresses, is a huge lead for them to gather more intel.”

Alex breathed a sigh of relief.

“I guess the authorities will consider this when they take up my case. I’ve not had anything to do with the data leak, Buzz. All my mails, phone records, everything is clean. I’m innocent.”

“I know, kiddo. But there’s something suspicious that is connecting your girl’s property deal and the data leak, and there’s an alarm bell ringing with regards to Brian. I’ll have my folks check him out, maybe tail him for a bit.”

Alex turned serious. The matter had become too complicated. Even if he didn’t want to, his life was horribly tangled with Arianna’s at the moment. He only hoped nobody would get hurt.

“And, Alex?” Buzz sounded cautious. “Take care and be alert. There’s no saying when or who the Morettis work with, and you’ve gone and jumped right into a hornet's nest. You better be careful. Send that message to your girl too.”

“Noted. Keep me posted.” Alex hung up and sat thoughtfully.

Was there a threat to his family that he was ignoring? Were Mama and Mark in danger simply because of his association to this case? There were no visible threats so far to their house or to either of them. There were no threatening calls or messages to them. But Arianna had received threats, or her father had, rather.

That realization made him stand up. Arianna and her family could be in very real danger. But before he left for their house, he had to ensure Mama was safe, and he had to check in on his brother. He rushed to Mama’s bedroom and found her awake, reading a book. He came clean about his leave and the trouble that Arianna’s family was facing. His mother was shocked.

“Mama, I want you to be very, very careful. If you see anything suspicious around, please call this number. He left Buzz’s contact number on her bedside table. I’m going to check in on Mark and then go check in on Arianna.”

His mother nodded.

“I’ll be careful.” She waved him off. “Now go, go and make sure Arianna and her family are safe.”

Alex did not need to be told twice. He grabbed his phone and called Mark, who was safe at work, only puzzled about Alex’s sudden concern. For some reason, Alex shivered. Arianna’s phone went to voicemail. He tried Sophie and her phone went to voicemail too. Did that mean they were okay? Or were they in danger. Danger. The word made his heart beat faster. He didn’t want anything to happen to Arianna, or Sophie too. In these past few days, he had felt closer to them and more protective of them.

Just as he was sitting in the car, his phone rang. It was Arianna. Relief flooded through him.

“Arianna, I was just calling to check if you were alright. Where are you? And is Sophie alright?” Alex fired questions as soon as he picked up the call.

There was silence on the line. Alex was puzzled. That wasn’t like Arianna. She said something softly, so softly that Alex didn’t catch anything.

“Alex. It’s Sophie. Something’s happened. Please come quick.” She almost screamed. There was raw panic in her voice.

Alex’s blood ran cold. It was weird to talk to Arianna in such an impersonal way. All his conversations with her involved her talking with a lot of emotion. This phone call was just...off. Something must be terribly wrong for her to behave like this.

I’m coming, Arianna. I’m coming.

Alex drove as fast as he could and reached the Belmonte Estate without incident. All throughout the journey, the only thought in his mind was concern for Arianna and Sophie.

Please, please, please. Let them be alright.

He parked and rushed to the house. The house was oddly quiet. No Oreo to come rushing at him and no Sophie waving out of the window. It was weird how some things felt so familiar even after a short time, and how some people and places became home.

He stopped when he entered the door. The house looked like it had been hit by a tornado. There were feathers everywhere from a punctured pillow and pages flying around. Things on the dresser were on the floor and books had been thrown down from their shelves. He walked over things and went into the kitchen, and that’s when he stopped.

Arianna sat on the floor, trying desperately to revive Sophie. Alex was aghast. Sophie was unconscious and had a huge gash on her forehead. There was a large bruise on her left arm where the attacker’s fingers had left marks. Anger swept through Alex. Alex dialed 9-1-1 and called for an ambulance at the address.

Arianna’s CPR efforts bore some fruit and Sophie’s eyes fluttered a little before falling still. Sirens pierced the air, and within a few minutes, there were medical attendants lifting Sophie on to a stretcher. Arianna looked at them, unable to comprehend anything at all. She had gone white. She noticed Alex talking but she couldn’t hear anything at all.

“Sophie? Arianna? What the hell happened here?” Her father walked in to the room. Arianna sat on the floor, mute and shocked into inaction. Within a few minutes, she felt something warm around her. Alex had placed a blanket around her shoulders, and she held it tight. He sat beside her and she leaned into him for comfort.

Antonio looked around at the house, surveying the damage. His face was pale but he wasn’t surprised. He sat in front of Arianna on the couch.

“What happened here, Arianna?” he asked. Alex looked up sharply. He didn’t have much respect for the man, but this was it. His tone was formal, even accusatory, and he had not even given a second glance to Sophie. That man was cold. Alex glared at him and then turned back to Arianna.

Alex’s arms provided Arianna the comfort she needed, and her heaving breaths turned to sobs. Alex pulled her in. She was in shock. He wanted to know what happened, and more importantly, who was responsible for this. Sophie was like a loving sister and he was pissed. But now, Arianna needed him, and he had to keep his head above water for her.

Soon, Arianna’s sobs ceased. Once again, Antonio looked at her and repeated his question in the same tone. This time, Arianna looked at him as if she could see him for the first time.

“I don’t know what happened. I went to the market to pick up some stuff for dinner. Sophie was taking the day off. And when I came home, this is how I found the living room. Sophie was in the kitchen. Who would do something like this? Who would want to hurt Sophie? Why Sophie?” Arianna choked the last part. Fresh tears streamed down her face. She shivered.

Alex felt her shivering and ran his fingers down her back, trying to warm her up. Arianna leaned against him, glad to have him here with her. It was clear she was all alone and needed someone to be with her emotionally.

Antonio clenched his jaws and looked away. In all this time, he had not made any effort to comfort his daughter or inquire about his other daughter. Alex was stunned. How could someone be that heartless? He couldn’t take it anymore.

“You don’t seem very surprised, Mr. Belmonte. Do you know who did this?”

Antonio spun around to face a defiant Alex. He glared at him. Alex didn’t move one inch and glared back.

“How dare you accuse me of this, you insolent little-” But Alex didn’t want to hear him go off on yet another rampage. He interrupted him.

“Aren’t you even a little concerned for Sophie? Your daughter was assaulted by someone and is in the hospital. You have not inquired about anything, nor are you volunteering to be at the hospital.”

As he said this, Arianna stood up.

“The hospital. I should go. I need to be with Sophie.” She looked around, trying to figure out what to do next. Alex looked at her. She was still in shock.

“Ana,” he said, using her nickname. “Sit down. We’ll go to the hospital together. I want to speak to your father first.” Arianna gulped and sat down, her head spinning.

Alex followed Antonio to the balcony. He was not one to tolerate this, and Antonio was getting on his nerves.

“Antonio, I have to ask, does the name Franco Moretti mean something to you? Is that the person threatening you to do all of this?”

Alex thought a flash of fear passed through the old man’s eyes and then they were back to being their surly old self.

“I do not know anyone by that name,” Antonio replied.

Alex rubbed his nose.

“Mr. Belmonte, if you are being intimidated in any way, you have to let us know. I know people, they can protect you. They can protect your daughters. They got to Sophie, they can get to Arianna.” He paused. He meant to shake Antonio down, but the thought of Arianna being hurt made him feel lightheaded.

Antonio turned to look at him. His voice was calm.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. Go, take care of Arianna. I do not wish to be drawn into all this. I have to ensure the house is kept well.”

His cold attitude and absolute disregard for Sophie made Alex’s blood boil.

“How can you be so distant? How can you not care about Sophie? She was hurt so badly and you’re standing here looking like you’re the one assaulted? Why aren’t you at the hospital? Where were you the entire day? Why aren’t you down there trying to make sure Arianna is alright? Don’t you love your own daughters?” Alex’s questions got more and more personal. He had gone into lawyer mode, interrogating a hostile witness. Antonio was hostile indeed, and Alex would do anything to crush that man’s ego. He breathed heavily, glaring at Antonio. Antonio was not one to back off. He glared menacingly at Alex.

“Get out of my face before I do something I regret. If you care so much for Sophie, move your sorry ass to the hospital and stay there with her.”

Alex shook his head and moved away before he punched Antonio. The last thing he wanted was to hurt Arianna by physically hurting her father. Whatever relationship she shared with him, he was her father and Alex had to respect that.

As much as he wanted to spar with Antonio, he had more important things to do.