Chapter 4 - THE COUSIN WHO SMILED TOO EASILY
Rafael Marquetti was thirty-eight.
He managed several of Salvatore's commercial properties.
He was charming.
Educated.
And, according to every article I could find, the public face of the Marquetti organization.
While Salvatore avoided interviews, Rafael attended charity events.
While Salvatore signed, Rafael spoke.
While Salvatore watched, Rafael explained what his cousin supposedly meant.
That last detail bothered me.
I had seen it happen at the restaurant.
A bodyguard would glance toward Rafael before responding to Salvatore.
People seemed accustomed to letting Rafael speak for him.
Salvatore invited me to his office that afternoon.
I almost refused.
Then I remembered Eli's note.
The office occupied the top floor of a restored industrial building overlooking the river.
It was surprisingly plain.
Bookshelves.
A large desk.
A wall of windows.
And a whiteboard covered with handwritten notes.
Salvatore showed me the company's organizational chart.
Rafael's name appeared beneath several subsidiaries.
Including Halcyon Design Works.
He hired Eli? I asked.
Salvatore nodded.
Apparently.
Did you know?
He shook his head.
I stared.
How can someone hire people through your company without you knowing?
Salvatore's expression tightened.
Because I trusted him.
Before I could respond, the office door opened.
Rafael entered.
He wore a navy suit and a smile that looked practiced.
“Sal.”
He glanced at me.
“Well, well. The famous waitress.”
I stiffened.
Salvatore's hands moved.
Rafael ignored them.
“What's she doing here?”
Salvatore signed again.
Rafael laughed.
“Come on, cousin. Use the tablet. I'm not in the mood for charades.”
I felt anger rise.
I turned toward Salvatore.
Did he just call your language charades?
Salvatore nodded once.
I looked at Rafael.
“Your cousin asked you a question.”
Rafael stared.
“Excuse me?”
“He asked why you hired Eli Bennett.”
Rafael's smile vanished.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then Rafael laughed.
“Who?”
I held his gaze.
“My brother.”
Rafael looked at Salvatore.
“Sal, I think someone's confused.”
Salvatore stepped forward.
His hands moved sharply.
I translated.
“He says he isn't confused.”
Rafael's jaw tightened.
Salvatore signed again.
“He says you're no longer authorized to represent him in any business matter until the investigation is complete.”
Rafael stared.
“You can't do that.”
Salvatore smiled coldly.
May you like
Then signed:
Watch me.
