Chapter 3 - THE MOTHER WHO DISAPPEARED
Casius Ferraro had inherited his father's criminal organization at thirty-one.
By forty, he controlled an extensive network of businesses, some legitimate, others built on violence and intimidation.
He was accustomed to finding people.
He was not accustomed to discovering that someone had removed his mother from a hospital without his knowledge.
Within twenty minutes, his security team had obtained the transfer records through the hospital's legal office.
His mother, Sofia Ferraro, had supposedly been moved to a private cardiac facility outside Chicago.
The receiving facility denied having her.
The ambulance company listed on the paperwork didn't exist.
And the signature authorizing the transfer belonged to Camille Ashford.
Casius called her.
She answered cheerfully.
"Darling."
"Where's my mother?"
A pause.
"What?"
"Don't make me ask twice."
"Casius, you're frightening me."
"Good. Then answer."
Camille's voice changed.
"I arranged a private consultation. Your mother was uncomfortable at St. Bellamy."
"With which physician?"
Silence.
"Camille."
"I'll call you back."
She disconnected.
Casius stared at the phone.
Then called Merrick.
"Find her."
Merrick hesitated.
"Boss—"
"If my mother is harmed, your excuses won't matter."
Delaney was leaving August Bellamy's office when Casius appeared in the corridor.
She recognized him immediately.
The man from the gala.
The man who had watched her fall.
The man who had turned away.
His expression changed when he saw her.
"Miss Pierce."
She stopped.
"Mr. Ferraro."
"I need to speak with you."
"I'm on leave."
"That isn't what I meant."
She looked directly at him.
For seven years, she had learned to remain composed in rooms where powerful people made decisions about her life.
Today, she was tired of pretending.
"You watched."
Casius went still.
Delaney continued.
"You saw what happened outside your hotel. You watched me pick up those vials. Then you turned around."
His jaw tightened.
"Yes."
The admission surprised her.
He didn't offer an excuse.
She waited.
Casius looked at the floor.
"I should have intervened."
"Yes."
"I'm sorry."
Delaney studied him.
"An apology doesn't change what happened."
"I know."
She nodded.
"Then we're finished."
She started past him.
Casius spoke again.
"My mother is missing."
Delaney stopped.
Slowly, she turned.
"What?"
"Someone transferred her out of the hospital overnight. We don't know where."
Delaney felt the blood drain from her face.
"That's impossible."
"Apparently not."
She took a breath.
"What medication was she supposed to receive last night?"
Casius described the prescription.
Delaney frowned.
"Those four vials were part of a specially ordered treatment. The hospital pharmacy prepared them for physician administration."
"Did she receive them?"
"I don't know."
Casius looked at her.
"Could missing the treatment hurt her?"
"It depends on her condition and her physician's plan. We need to locate her and verify what care she's received."
He nodded.
"Will you help?"
Delaney looked at him for a long moment.
Then said, "I'll help your mother."
Casius lowered his head.
"Understood."
She added, "But I won't work for you."
Something shifted in his expression.
Not anger.
Respect.
"Fair enough."
August Bellamy emerged from the consultation room.
He looked at Casius.
"Casius."
The mafia boss straightened.
"Dr. Bellamy."
August's voice became sharp.
"Before you ask this woman for anything else, you owe her something."
Casius looked confused.
August stepped closer.
"Seven years ago, her father tried to expose a scheme involving hospital money and missing medications."
Casius frowned.
"What does that have to do with my mother?"
August held his gaze.
"Everything."
May you like
Then he spoke the words that changed the entire investigation.
"Your father was one of the men Thomas Pierce tried to warn."
