Chapter 9 - THE MAN WHO BUILT A BETRAYAL
The documents revealed a scheme far larger than a single attempted intimidation.
Garrett had been negotiating secretly with a competing logistics consortium.
If Aurelio signed the November contract under the existing terms, certain clauses would trigger costly obligations.
Those obligations could weaken Ferrante Logistics enough to make a forced sale possible.
Garrett stood to profit from the sale.
So would several associates.
The investigators also uncovered efforts to use Teddy Bell as a courier.
Pearl had been pressured because she worked in a building where confidential meetings occurred.
Marin listened as Aurelio explained what had been found.
She sat across from him in his office.
“So Garrett wanted to take your company?”
Aurelio nodded.
“Control of it, yes.”
She swallowed.
“And Pearl?”
“She was supposed to help move documents through the restaurant. When she resisted, they threatened Teddy.”
Marin closed her eyes.
Aurelio continued.
“Your warning gave us time to investigate.”
She looked up.
“Would you have signed the contract?”
He hesitated.
“Probably.”
Marin stared.
He looked toward the window.
“I trusted Garrett.”
She nodded.
Aurelio continued.
“My father trusted him. I thought that meant I could too.”
Marin looked at him.
“People change.”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
Then she added:
“And sometimes we just learn who they were all along.”
Aurelio looked back at her.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he said:
“I owe you my company.”
Marin shook her head.
“No.”
He frowned.
She continued.
“You owe me nothing. I warned you because Pearl was in danger.”
Aurelio smiled faintly.
“Still.”
Marin stood.
“Then make sure Pearl keeps her job.”
He nodded.
“I will.”
She looked at him.
“And make sure Teddy gets legal help if he was threatened.”
Aurelio stared.
Then nodded again.
“Agreed.”
Marin picked up her coat.
At the door, Aurelio said:
“Miss Halloway.”
She turned.
“Why do you keep asking for other people?”
Marin thought about Dez.
About Gus.
About Pearl.
About Dina.
Then she said:
May you like
“Because somebody once did that for me.”
And she left.
