Chapter 4 - THE GODFATHER WITH TWO FACES
Vincenzo Carbone was seventy-one.
He owned shipping companies, restaurants, and several warehouses along the Chicago River.
He attended church every Sunday.
Donated generously to hospitals.
And had been Dante's godfather since birth.
According to Salvatore, Vincenzo had helped the Gallo family escape Sicily during a violent conflict.
He had also arranged many of their earliest business deals in America.
Dante trusted him.
Or believed he did.
But Pietro's ledger told another story.
The entries described payments made to rival organizations.
Secret transfers.
And a betrayal that had nearly destroyed the Gallo family.
Nora sat at Dante's dining table, translating the handwritten Sicilian.
Some phrases were difficult.
Others were painfully clear.
“Vincenzo arranged the missing shipment,” she said.
Dante looked up.
“He blamed Pietro.”
Nora nodded.
“And Salvatore knew?”
She turned the page.
“No.”
Dante frowned.
“What?”
Nora looked at him.
“Your father knew Pietro was innocent. But he didn't know who actually betrayed them.”
Dante leaned back.
“So he let Pietro take the blame.”
Nora nodded.
“And Vincenzo watched.”
Silence.
Dante looked toward the window.
For years, Vincenzo had advised him.
Helped him.
Celebrated his victories.
Now he wondered how many of those victories had been carefully arranged to keep him dependent.
Nora closed the ledger.
“What happens now?”
Dante looked at her.
“We verify everything.”
She studied him.
“Not revenge?”
He met her eyes.
“Not without proof.”
Nora nodded.
It was the first answer he'd given that made her feel safer.
Then Dante's phone rang.
He answered.
Listened.
His expression hardened.
“Where?”
A pause.
“I'm coming.”
He ended the call.
Nora stood.
“What happened?”
Dante looked at her.
“Paul's been found.”
“Alive?”
Dante hesitated.
“Yes.”
Nora exhaled.
May you like
Then he added:
“But someone tried to kill him.”
