Chapter 4 - THE ENVELOPE IN PEARL'S APRON
Marin waited until Pearl finished loading the dishwasher.
Then she approached.
“Pearl?”
“What?”
“Who's Teddy Bell?”
Pearl froze.
It was brief.
But Marin saw it.
“Why?”
“I noticed the envelope.”
Pearl looked down.
Then pulled it from her apron.
“My nephew.”
Marin blinked.
“Your nephew?”
Pearl nodded.
“Theodore Bell. Everyone calls him Teddy.”
“What does he do?”
Pearl frowned.
“Drives trucks. Why?”
Marin felt cold.
“Does he work at the port?”
“Sometimes.”
That evening, Marin called Aurelio's office.
Nell answered.
“Ferrante.”
“This is Marin Halloway.”
A pause.
“What happened?”
“I found out who Teddy might be.”
Nell listened.
Then said, “Come to the office tomorrow.”
Marin hesitated.
“I have a shift.”
“We can work around it.”
The following afternoon, Marin entered Aurelio's office.
It was nothing like she'd imagined.
No gold statues.
No walls covered in weapons.
Just dark wood, tall windows, and shelves full of old shipping maps.
Aurelio stood when she entered.
“Miss Halloway.”
“Mr. Ferrante.”
He gestured toward a chair.
She sat.
Nell remained near the door.
Marin explained about Teddy Bell.
Pearl's nephew.
A truck driver.
A possible connection to the port.
Aurelio listened.
Then asked, “Did Pearl say anything else?”
“No.”
“Did you ask whether she was in trouble?”
Marin shook her head.
“I didn't want to frighten her.”
Aurelio nodded.
“Good.”
He looked toward Nell.
“Check whether Theodore Bell has any legitimate role in the November contract.”
Nell made a note.
Marin watched them.
“Are you going to tell Garrett?”
Aurelio looked at her.
“Not yet.”
She exhaled.
He leaned forward.
“Miss Halloway, I need you to understand something. Garrett Mohei has been part of my life since childhood.”
“I know.”
“If you're mistaken, this could destroy his reputation.”
Marin nodded.
“And if I'm right?”
Aurelio held her gaze.
“Then I have a much bigger problem.”
She looked down.
“I don't want anyone hurt.”
“Neither do I.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Aurelio asked, “Why do you work two shifts?”
Marin stiffened.
“Because one doesn't pay enough.”
He nodded.
“I wasn't trying to insult you.”
“You weren't the first rich man to ask.”
Aurelio almost smiled.
He looked toward the file on his desk.
“Your brother's care is expensive.”
Marin's expression changed instantly.
“Don't.”
Aurelio stopped.
She stood.
“Don't use my brother to make me feel grateful.”
His face hardened—not with anger, but surprise.
“I wasn't going to.”
“Good.”
She picked up her coat.
“Then we're finished.”
Aurelio stood.
“Miss Halloway.”
She turned.
He said quietly, “I apologize.”
Marin stared.
Then she nodded.
“Thank you.”
After she left, Nell looked at Aurelio.
“You're letting her talk to you like that?”
Aurelio sat down.
“She was right.”
Nell blinked.
May you like
He looked toward the window.
“And that's becoming a habit.”
