LUCAS IS BACK

The smell of the gunshot powder still lingered in the air, the detective that attended to James earlier stood over Marco's body. The gun lay closely in Marco's hand, his fingers barely touching the handle.

“Gunshot wound on the head.” the medical examiner confirmed, adjusting his gloves, “contact wound wound, the gun was fired at close range, probably self inflicted.”

The detective squeezed his eyes slightly, he looked at Marco's body and then back to the surroundings. There was no sign of struggle, no sign of anyone else having been in the room.

“One shot right?” The detective asked, his voice laced with skepticism.

The medical examiner nodded, “Yep, went straight through, instant death. No chance for survival.”

The detective knelt beside the chair, looking closer at the gun. Marco's fingers didn't grip it with the desperation or resolve one would expect from a man determined to end his own life.

“So you’re saying this is a clear - cut suicide?” The detective asked again, his voice doubtful.

The examiner glanced at him, “All the signs point to it. Gunshots residue on his hands, no signs of struggle, no one else in the vicinity according to the security footage. The only prints on the gun are his.”

Harris stood up and walked around the room, scanning every corner for something that didn't fit. “What about the angle of the shot?”

“Perfectly aligned for a self inflicted wound.” The examiner replied, “he held the gun to his temple and pulled the trigger, it's textbook.”

The detective sighed, “What would push a guy like Marco Moretti to end his own life? He is a Moretti, he had power, influence……enemies, but this?”

“Maybe the pressure got to him,” the examiner suggested, “We’ve seen it before. Even the toughest guys have a breaking point.”

“This dosen't look good, especially not after James’s report.” The detective said crossing his arms, starting at Marco's body. “It feels too neat, Marco kidnaps Olivia, she escapes, and now he’s dead by apparent suicide? There's more to this.”

“Do you think Olivia could have had something to do with this?” One of the officers asked.

The detective shook his head, “No, she escaped, I checked the rooms, and saw how she managed to escaped. She must have escaped before this happened. Someone wanted Marco out of the picture, and they made it look like a suicide.”

The officer hesitated before responding, “But if Marco’s death is ruled a suicide, we can't exactly pin anything on anyone else. And with him dead, any charges related to Olivia's kidnapping will die with him.”

The detective sighed, frustration bubbling up, “Thats what bothers me. Marco was a snake, but he wouldn't give up like this. We’ll keep digging.”

The officer nodded, “Should I update James Moretti on the situation?”

The detective paused, then nodded, “Yes, let him know. But be careful with how you phrase it. We don't want to stir up anything more, until we have concrete answers.”

As the officer left to take the call, the detective stood there in the study, staring at the crime scene.

EARLIER THAT DAY

Marco had sent all his men out to search every corner of the estate for Olivia. The mansion was quiet, far too quiet for Marco's liking. He paced back and forth in his study. He clenced his fists, his face twisted in anger. “How could she have just vanished?” he muttered to himself, frustration boiling over.

Just as he was about to call for his men again, he heard a faint creak - so quiet that most would have missed it. Marco’s instinct kicked in, and he reached for the gun he always kept in the drawer of the desk. Slowly he turned, scanning around.

“Who’s there?” Marco’s voice was sharp, cutting through the silence. But there was no response, only his sound of his own breathing, growing heavier with each passing second.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness, stepping into the dim light of the study. Marco’s eyes widened in shock as the man he thought was dead, tood before him.

“Impossible….” Marco breathed, his grip tightening on the gun. “You’re supposed to be dead.”

Lucas's expression was cold, his eyes burning with a deadly calm. “You always underestimated me Marco, that's your biggest flaw.”

Marco's hand trembled slightly, as he raised the gun, pointing it directly to Lucas. “Stay back, Lucas. I’m warning you.”

But Lucas didn't flinch. He took a step closer, his voice low and menacing, “You think that gun will save you? After everything you’ve done?”

Marco swallowed hard, his mind racing on how Lucas could be alive.

“You dared to lay your hand on Olivia?” Lucas growled, his voice growing colder with each accusation. “Did you really think I wouldn't come for you?”

Marco's fear morphed into desperation . “It wasn't personal, Lucas!”

Lucas' eyes narrowed, “Nothing personal? You’ve crossed the line Marco. It's time for you to pay for your betrayals.”

In a swift motion, Lucas lunged at Marco, knocking the gun from his hand. The weapon clattered on the floor, and Marco stumbled back, panic overtaking him. “You betrayed your own blood, Marco.” Lucas hissed, his grip tightening, “And for what? Power? Revenge? You’re nothing but a coward.”

Marco struggled against Lucas’s hold but there was no match for the fury in Lucas's eyes. “Lucas…don't do this…” he gasped, his voice barely above a whisper . “We can make a deal …..I can give you e eything you want.”

Lucas expression remained cold, “There’s nothing you can offer me, Marco. Not after what you've done.”

With a final ruthless glare Lucas show Marco on his head, Marco fell lifeless to the floor. “Goodbye Marco….Moretti.” Lucas said, his voice deadly.

Lucas positioned Marco on the chair behind his study desk, making it look like a suicide. The mansion was silent again, but this time it was a different type of silence .

As Lucas turned to leave, he paused for a moment, glancing back at the body. “Yo brought this up on yourself, Marco.” he muttered before stepping out of the room.