Chapter 7 - THE LITTLE GIRL WHO DIDN'T NEED HIS PITY
Elias Ferraro had never visited a tire-repair shop.
Not personally.
Not without security.
Not to apologize to a maid.
But that afternoon, he stood beneath a rusted awning in the Ninth Ward, waiting for Delphine Aubrey to answer the door.
She opened it.
Her expression changed.
“Mr. Ferraro.”
He nodded.
“Miss Aubrey.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Elias said:
“I was wrong.”
Delphine stared.
He continued.
“I dismissed you without listening.”
She folded her arms.
“Yes.”
Elias swallowed.
“I'm sorry.”
The words felt unfamiliar.
But necessary.
Delphine looked at him.
“Why are you here?”
He took a breath.
“Because I found Hion Ridge in my company's records.”
Her face changed.
He continued.
“And because I need to know what you saw.”
Delphine hesitated.
Then stepped aside.
“Come in.”
The room was small.
Clean.
Warm.
A child's drawings covered one wall.
Elias noticed a little girl sitting at the table.
She looked up.
Her eyes moved from his face to his expensive coat.
Delphine signed:
THIS IS MR. FERRARO.
Josie studied him.
Then signed something.
Delphine smiled faintly.
“She says your shoes are too shiny.”
Elias looked down.
Then laughed.
A genuine laugh.
He crouched slightly.
“She's probably right.”
Delphine translated.
Josie grinned.
Elias looked toward Delphine.
“She can't hear me?”
“She's Deaf.”
He nodded.
Then looked back at Josie.
He raised his hand awkwardly.
Waved.
Josie waved back.
Then signed:
HELLO.
Delphine translated.
Elias smiled.
“Hello, Josie.”
For a moment, the room felt lighter.
Then Delphine placed Aaron's documents on the table.
Elias read them.
Slowly.
Carefully.
His expression changed.
When he finished, he looked up.
“Your husband found something.”
Delphine nodded.
“I think so.”
Elias stared at the loan statements.
Then said:
“Miss Aubrey, I believe someone has been stealing from people like your husband for years.”
Delphine swallowed.
“Can you prove it?”
Elias looked at her.
“Not yet.”
May you like
Then he added:
“But I intend to.”
