Chapter 6 - THE WAREHOUSE WITH NO WINDOWS
Lorenzo did not ask Celia to go to the warehouse.
He asked her to stay away.
For once, she agreed.
The address was forwarded to investigators.
Lorenzo provided relevant records through his attorney.
Celia remained at Naomi's apartment.
But waiting was harder than she expected.
She checked her phone every few minutes.
At midnight, Lorenzo called.
“The building was empty.”
Celia closed her eyes.
“Nothing?”
“Almost nothing.”
“What does that mean?”
He hesitated.
“Investigators found a storage room containing documents.”
“What documents?”
“Financial records.”
“Northstar?”
“Yes.”
Celia sat straighter.
“And Isabella?”
“No sign of her.”
She exhaled.
Then asked:
“Do you think she's alive?”
Lorenzo was silent.
Finally:
“I hope so.”
***
The following morning, Marissa called Celia into her office.
She closed the door.
“Something happened.”
Celia's stomach tightened.
“What?”
“The Benton Street tenants received new notices.”
“Evictions?”
“No.”
Marissa placed a document on the desk.
“Settlement offers.”
Celia frowned.
“That's good, isn't it?”
“Look at the terms.”
Celia read.
The tenants would receive relocation payments.
In exchange, they had to waive all claims against Northstar Holdings and agree not to disclose the settlement.
Celia stared.
“They're buying silence.”
Marissa nodded.
“And the amounts are different.”
“Different how?”
“Tenants who complained publicly received larger offers.”
Celia looked up.
“Because they have evidence.”
“Exactly.”
***
Celia spent the afternoon reviewing the case history.
Although she was no longer assigned to the matter, she could assist with general research under Marissa's supervision.
She noticed a pattern.
The properties Northstar purchased were near transportation corridors.
Rail lines.
Warehouses.
Freight terminals.
All locations valuable to shipping companies.
All locations connected to Lorenzo's business interests.
Celia looked at the map.
Then realized something.
Northstar wasn't merely buying property.
It was acquiring control over access routes.
She called Marissa.
“Look at this.”
Marissa leaned over the screen.
Celia pointed.
“These parcels form a corridor.”
Marissa frowned.
“Between what?”
Celia traced the line.
“Two Duca Maritime terminals.”
Silence.
Then Marissa said:
“Someone's trying to control the land around his business.”
Celia nodded.
“And Travis's company is helping.”
***
That evening, Celia met Lorenzo at a restaurant.
She showed him the map.
He studied it.
His expression hardened.
“This would give Northstar control over two critical access roads.”
“Can they do that?”
“Legally, if they own the land and obtain the right approvals.”
Celia looked at him.
“Then why hide the ownership?”
Lorenzo considered.
“Because the real buyer doesn't want to be identified.”
She leaned forward.
“Who would benefit from controlling your terminals?”
He looked at her.
“Someone who wants leverage over my company.”
“Graham Hail?”
“Possibly.”
Celia studied him.
“Or someone inside your organization.”
Lorenzo went still.
Then looked at the map again.
“You may be right.”
***
When dinner ended, Lorenzo walked Celia to her car.
The night was cold.
Traffic moved along the river.
Celia stopped beside the passenger door.
“Lorenzo.”
“Yes?”
“Why do you keep listening to me?”
He looked confused.
“Because you're making sense.”
She smiled faintly.
“That hasn't always been enough.”
His expression softened.
“Then the people around you weren't listening properly.”
Celia looked down.
For a moment, she wanted to step closer.
Instead, she said:
“Good night.”
Lorenzo nodded.
“Good night, Celia.”
She drove away.
He remained on the sidewalk until her car disappeared.
***
Across town, Travis Hail sat in Graham Hail's office.
His uncle stood beside the window.
“You've made a mess,” Graham said.
Travis's jaw tightened.
“Celia won't cooperate.”
“Then leave her alone.”
“She knows things.”
Graham turned.
“What things?”
Travis hesitated.
“She saw some documents.”
Graham's expression changed.
“What documents?”
“The Northstar transfers.”
Silence.
Then Graham said:
“You should have told me sooner.”
Travis looked down.
“I thought I could handle her.”
Graham approached.
“That's your problem, Travis.”
His voice lowered.
“You keep confusing possession with control.”
May you like
Then he picked up his phone.
“We need to accelerate the schedule.”
