Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO KNEW HER BROTHER'S NAME
The next morning, Marin found a photograph tucked beneath her windshield wiper.
It showed Dez sitting beside the common-room window.
The photograph had been taken recently.
On the back, someone had written:
STAY OUT OF FAMILY BUSINESS.
Marin stood in the parking lot until her hands stopped shaking.
Then she called Gus.
He arrived twenty minutes later.
He examined the photograph without touching it directly.
“Did you call the police?”
“Not yet.”
“Do that.”
Marin swallowed.
“They know where Dez lives.”
Gus looked at her.
“That's why you need a record of the threat.”
They reported it.
Marin also contacted the residential facility.
The administrator agreed to review visitor procedures and preserve relevant security footage.
By noon, Aurelio knew.
He called Marin.
“Where are you?”
“At Gus's garage.”
“Stay there. Nell is coming.”
Marin's voice hardened.
“I didn't ask for a bodyguard.”
“No,” Aurelio said. “You asked for people not to get hurt.”
She went silent.
He continued, “Someone threatened your brother. That changes things.”
Marin swallowed.
“I'm not going to tell you what to do,” he said. “But I can help you make sure he stays safe.”
She closed her eyes.
“Okay.”
When Nell arrived, she didn't bring armed men.
She brought an attorney experienced in witness protection and harassment cases.
They discussed practical steps.
Documentation.
Safer transportation.
Contact procedures.
Marin listened carefully.
Then asked, “What about Pearl?”
Nell nodded.
“We're working on that too.”
That evening, Aurelio confronted Garrett.
Not about Marin.
About the contract.
“Why didn't you disclose your son-in-law's connection to Harborline Freight?”
Garrett smiled.
“Because it wasn't relevant.”
Aurelio placed the documents on the table.
“It is now.”
Garrett looked down.
Then laughed.
“You're letting a waitress turn you against me.”
Aurelio stared.
“I'm asking about a business conflict.”
Garrett leaned forward.
“You think that girl understands what we built?”
“No.”
Aurelio's voice was quiet.
“But she understands when someone is frightened.”
Garrett's smile disappeared.
Aurelio continued.
“And apparently, that's more than I can say for some people in this room.”
Garrett stood.
“You'll regret this.”
Aurelio didn't move.
“Maybe.”
May you like
Garrett left.
For the first time in years, Aurelio watched the door close behind the man who had helped raise him and wondered whether he'd ever truly known him.
