Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO HAD BEEN WATCHING HER
Vinny had not hired Sonia by accident.
The truth emerged three days later.
After losing his position at Lombardi's, Vinny disappeared.
His apartment was empty.
His phone was disconnected.
But investigators reviewing the restaurant's records discovered something disturbing.
Sonia's employment application had been flagged before her interview.
Her father's name had been circled.
Robert Mitchell.
A handwritten note appeared beside it.
KEEP CLOSE.
Sonia stared at the document.
“He knew.”
Dante nodded.
“Yes.”
“He hired me because of my father.”
“It appears so.”
Sonia felt sick.
For six months, she'd believed she was simply unlucky to have a cruel manager.
Now she understood she'd been watched.
Her schedule.
Her family.
Her finances.
Vinny had known exactly how to frighten her because he'd studied her vulnerabilities.
---
Dante arranged for an independent investigator to interview Robert.
The old construction records were reviewed.
The surviving documents supported Robert's account of serious safety violations.
The investigation also uncovered payments from a shell company to Vinny around the time Anthony died.
Sonia listened as the evidence was explained.
Then asked:
“Does this prove he killed Anthony?”
The investigator shook his head.
“Not by itself. But it gives us leads.”
She nodded.
Justice was slower than fear.
She was beginning to understand that.
---
That night, Sonia received another message.
YOUR FATHER SHOULD HAVE STAYED QUIET.
She forwarded it to the police.
Then called Dante.
He answered.
“Are you safe?”
“Yes.”
“Is your family safe?”
“Yes.”
She swallowed.
“But I'm tired of being afraid.”
Dante was silent.
Then said:
“I know.”
Sonia looked out the window.
“No. You don't.”
He paused.
Then answered:
“Maybe not in the same way.”
She closed her eyes.
“I can't keep living like this.”
“Then let's make sure the people threatening you are held accountable.”
---
The next morning, Sonia returned to Lombardi's.
The restaurant remained closed for inspection and repairs.
Dante was there with contractors.
He looked surprised.
“What are you doing here?”
Sonia took a breath.
“I want my job back.”
He smiled faintly.
“You still have it.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“I want more than that.”
He waited.
“I want to help make this place better.”
Dante studied her.
“What do you have in mind?”
Sonia looked around.
“Employees who aren't afraid.”
He nodded.
“Good start.”
“Safe food.”
“Obviously.”
“Fair wages.”
“Yes.”
“And managers who don't threaten people's families.”
Dante's expression hardened.
“Agreed.”
Sonia smiled.
May you like
For the first time, she wasn't simply surviving Lombardi's.
She was helping rebuild it.
