Chapter 8 - ANTON’S RECORDER
The audio files needed verification.
Not because we thought my father’s voice had been fabricated necessarily.
Because dates mattered.
Metadata.
Device provenance.
Whether recordings were continuous or edited.
An independent digital examiner imaged the memory cards.
Hashes.
Copies.
Originals preserved.
The recorder had been purchased by Anton’s outside attorney after Anton complained that dictating through family staff changed his words.
The attorney testified later:
“I suggested he record instructions directly when fatigued.”
Anton did.
Some were mundane.
Call cardiologist.
Remind Lorenzo about museum donation.
Tell chef no garlic.
Then longer entries.
One:
Constance has canceled Lorenzo twice without asking me. She says I need rest. I do need rest. I also need my son.
Another:
She believes protecting me from disagreement is caregiving.
Another:
I told her no more orders in my name. She said family will become weak if I stop directing it. I told her that is the point. If they cannot function without a dying man, I failed.
I had to stop listening.
Leah paused the audio.
“You okay?”
“No.”
“Want to continue?”
“Yes.”
Not because pain proved devotion.
Because the rest mattered.
Anton:
Milo came today. Brought Bruno.
Then laughter.
My father's weak, real laugh.
He says Bruno is his bear now. Good. Constance hates that toy because Cesare hated it. Maybe that is reason enough to preserve it.
Then:
I put the north key inside. Lorenzo will think I am being theatrical. He is correct.
I laughed through tears.
My father knew me.
Then the line that changed the investigation.
Constance saw me sew the seam.
I think she knows.
There.
She knew.
May you like
Not guessed at the fireplace.
Knew.
