Chapter 8 - THE MAN BEHIND THE GAMBLING TABLE
Roman had always believed Donovan was greedy.
He hadn't realized how desperate.
Donovan controlled several companies that serviced the waterfront.
Trucking.
Storage.
Equipment leasing.
On paper, the businesses were legitimate.
But the accounting records told a different story.
Invoices had been inflated.
Payments had been routed through shell companies.
And millions had vanished from shipping contracts.
Elias Mercer had discovered the scheme.
Then disappeared.
Roman reviewed the evidence with his attorney.
"Do we have enough to take to the authorities?"
The attorney nodded.
"Enough to justify a formal report and preserve the records. The rest requires investigation."
Roman looked at the documents.
"And Mercer?"
"We still don't know what happened to him."
Roman's jaw tightened.
He thought of Paige.
Her injured wrist.
Her exhaustion.
The way she'd looked at him when she realized he'd arranged for someone to watch her.
She had been right to be angry.
He had treated her safety like another problem he could manage without asking permission.
He called her.
She answered after several rings.
"Roman?"
"I owe you an apology."
Silence.
"For what?"
"For having Luca watch you without your knowledge."
Paige exhaled.
"Yes. You do."
"I won't do it again."
"Good."
He hesitated.
"How's your wrist?"
"Still attached."
He almost smiled.
"That's encouraging."
She laughed softly.
Then asked:
"Did you find the notebook?"
"Not yet."
"Do you know who took it?"
"We have evidence Arthur passed it to Donovan."
Paige went quiet.
"Then Elias Mercer is in trouble."
Roman looked toward the window.
"Yes."
She hesitated.
"Roman?"
"Yes?"
"Find him."
May you like
Roman closed his eyes.
"I'll try."
