Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Jack asked to meet me in a public place.
I chose a small café near the river.
Not his office.
Not his mansion.
Somewhere ordinary people could see us.
He arrived alone.
Or as alone as a man like Jack Moretti could be.
Rocco remained outside.
Jack wore a charcoal coat and looked tired.
“Thank you for coming,” he said.
I sat opposite him.
“Tell me about Ethan.”
Jack nodded.
“Marco contacted him two weeks ago.”
My stomach tightened.
“Why?”
“We believe Marco wanted information about you.”
I stared.
“Me?”
Jack nodded.
“He had access to restaurant staffing records. Ethan may have been used to gather personal details or pressure you if necessary.”
I felt sick.
“Did Ethan know about the murder plan?”
“We don't know.”
I looked down.
Jack continued.
“There's something else.”
He placed a folder on the table.
Inside were photographs of Victor meeting Marco behind the restaurant.
Bank transfers.
Security logs.
Messages.
The conspiracy had been planned for months.
Victor was supposed to control the staff.
The restaurant security guard was supposed to block Rocco.
Marco was supposed to lead Jack into the east corridor.
And the damaged verification pen would have delayed any challenge long enough for Marco to claim emergency authority.
I stared at the documents.
“Why are you showing me this?”
“Because you're involved now.”
I looked at him.
“I didn't ask to be.”
“I know.”
He paused.
“And because you deserve to understand the danger.”
For a moment, I saw something different in him.
Not the mafia boss.
Not the man everyone feared.
Just someone trying, awkwardly, to tell the truth.
I closed the folder.
“What happens to Marco?”
“His attempted murder and conspiracy will be handled through the authorities.”
I looked at him sharply.
“You're going to the police?”
Jack's mouth tightened.
“I've spent most of my life believing I could solve problems without them.”
“And now?”
He looked toward the window.
“Now I have a six-year-old boy's mother sitting across from me because my brother threatened her child.”
I said nothing.
Jack continued.
“I won't ask you to trust me. But I intend to make sure the people responsible face consequences.”
I studied him.
Then asked:
“Why?”
He looked at me.
“Because you saved my life.”
I shook my head.
“That isn't enough.”
Jack was quiet.
Then he nodded.
“No.”
May you like
His voice softened.
“It isn't.”
