Chapter 4 - FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS
Three days after Christmas, Tony learned about Clara's father.
It happened accidentally.
His security chief, Dominic Russo, entered the study carrying a file.
“Boss.”
Tony looked up.
“What?”
“We completed the employee background review.”
Tony frowned.
“Why?”
“Standard procedure after a security incident.”
Tony opened the file.
Clara Thorne.
Twenty-five years old.
Former literature teacher.
Bachelor's degree in English.
Excellent employment references.
Then he saw the financial records.
A series of transfers to Chicago.
Almost every paycheck.
Tony frowned.
“Who's receiving the money?”
Dominic hesitated.
“Her father.”
Tony looked up.
“Why?”
Dominic placed another document on the desk.
“Arthur Thorne owes fifty thousand dollars to Vinnie Gambino.”
Tony's expression changed.
“Vinnie the Knuckles?”
Dominic nodded.
Tony leaned back.
Vinnie Gambino was a small-time loan shark with a reputation for cruelty.
He operated on the edges of Chicago's criminal world.
Tony had tolerated him because he was insignificant.
Now that changed.
Tony looked at the file.
“Does Clara know who he is?”
Dominic nodded.
“She knows enough to be afraid.”
Tony closed his eyes.
For a moment, he remembered Clara asking whether she was fired.
Even while lying in a hospital bed.
Even after nearly dying.
She had been afraid of losing her paycheck.
Tony opened his eyes.
“Find out how much Arthur actually borrowed.”
Dominic frowned.
“Boss?”
“Principal. Interest. Everything.”
Dominic nodded.
“And Vinnie?”
May you like
Tony's expression hardened.
“Tell him I want to talk.”
