Chapter 8 - THE MAN INSIDE ROSSI LOGISTICS
The evidence against Leonard Price emerged on a Friday morning.
An internal auditor found transportation records that didn't match vehicle tracking data.
Several shipments had been invoiced.
But the trucks assigned to them had never left their depots.
The payments were linked to Calder.
The approvals bore Leonard's credentials.
Mateo stared at the report.
Eleven years.
Eleven years of trust.
He called Leonard into his office with legal counsel present.
Leonard arrived smiling.
“Mateo.”
His smile faded when he saw the attorneys.
Mateo placed the report on the desk.
“Explain.”
Leonard looked at the pages.
Then laughed nervously.
“Administrative errors.”
Mateo remained silent.
Leonard continued.
“Transportation records get messy.”
Mateo leaned forward.
“Thirty-seven million dollars messy?”
Leonard's face changed.
He looked toward the door.
Then back at Mateo.
“You don't understand what you're dealing with.”
Mateo's expression hardened.
“Then explain it.”
Leonard swallowed.
“Calder isn't just a billing company.”
Silence.
He continued.
“There are investors behind it.”
“Who?”
Leonard looked down.
“People who don't tolerate losses.”
Mateo stared.
“Did you arrange the explosion?”
Leonard's face went pale.
“No.”
“Did you know about it?”
Silence.
Mateo stood.
“Leonard.”
The man whispered:
“I knew someone wanted you stopped.”
Within hours, Leonard was placed on administrative leave and the evidence was referred to investigators.
That evening, Mateo came to see me.
He looked older.
Tired.
I opened the door.
“Hey.”
He nodded.
“Hey.”
I stepped aside.
He entered.
Then stood in the middle of my small apartment.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Finally, he said:
“I trusted him.”
I nodded.
“I know.”
“He worked with me for eleven years.”
I moved closer.
“Mateo.”
His voice broke.
“I brought him into my home.”
I took his hand.
He looked down.
Then slowly wrapped his fingers around mine.
For the first time, I saw the man beneath the reputation.
Not ruthless.
May you like
Not untouchable.
Just betrayed.
