Chapter 3 - THE MAN WHO OWNED THE BUILDING
Enzo Rinaldi had spent twenty years building an empire.
Restaurants.
Shipping companies.
Real estate.
Private security.
And businesses that operated in the gray spaces between legality and power.
He was not a gentle man.
But he had rules.
One of them was simple.
Never destroy someone who has done nothing to deserve it.
Preston Cain had violated that rule.
Repeatedly.
By Thursday morning, Enzo's investigators had identified eleven small businesses targeted by Cain's redevelopment scheme.
A bakery.
A tailor.
A bookstore.
Two restaurants.
Several family-owned shops.
Each had received aggressive lease revisions or offers far below market value.
Enzo studied the files.
"How long has this been happening?"
Silvano looked grim.
"Almost eighteen months."
Enzo's jaw tightened.
"And nobody told me?"
"The reports were buried under development subsidiaries."
Enzo looked toward the window.
"Then we have a problem bigger than Cain."
That afternoon, Enzo visited Brennan's.
He wore the same old wool coat.
No guards entered with him.
Hollis stood behind the counter.
"Can I help you?"
Enzo smiled.
"Coffee."
Hollis poured a cup.
Enzo looked around.
The restaurant was old.
The tables mismatched.
The walls covered in photographs.
But it smelled of fresh bread and roasted garlic.
People laughed.
Children sat beside grandparents.
It felt alive.
Adeline sat near the window working on the porcelain plate.
Enzo noticed her immediately.
She looked up.
Recognition flashed across her face.
"The man from Sen."
He nodded.
"Yes."
She stiffened.
"Are you here because of the wallet?"
Enzo shook his head.
"No."
He looked at the plate.
"What happened?"
Hollis answered.
"Preston Cain broke it."
Enzo's expression changed.
Adeline studied him.
"You know Cain?"
Enzo smiled faintly.
"Unfortunately."
He sat beside her.
"Can it be repaired?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
He looked at her hands.
"You're skilled."
She shrugged.
"I used to be."
Enzo shook his head.
"Skills don't disappear because circumstances change."
Adeline looked up.
For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
Then Hollis brought coffee.
Enzo looked at him.
"Mr. Brennan, would you be willing to show me the letter you received?"
Hollis hesitated.
"Why?"
Enzo met his eyes.
"Because I think someone has been using my name to hurt people."
Silence.
May you like
Then Hollis slowly reached beneath the counter.
And placed the letter on the table.
