Chapter 5 - THE MAN WHO BEGGED FOR FORGIVENESS
Paul lay in a hospital bed with a broken arm and bruises across his face.
Two detectives stood outside his room.
Dante remained in the hallway.
Nora entered with a police officer.
Paul looked at her.
His eyes filled.
“Nora.”
She stopped.
“Why?”
He swallowed.
“I needed money.”
“For what?”
“My brother's gambling debts.”
Nora stared.
“So you sold information about me?”
Paul began crying.
“They told me it was just a background check.”
“Who?”
He looked toward the door.
“Carbone's people.”
Nora felt cold.
Paul continued.
“They wanted to know if Pietro Rossi had family.”
“Why?”
“Because they thought he left something behind.”
Nora closed her eyes.
The ledger.
Paul looked at her.
“I didn't know they'd hurt anyone.”
She opened her eyes.
“You knew enough to hide.”
He lowered his head.
“I'm sorry.”
Nora looked at him.
For seven months, Paul had controlled her shifts.
Threatened her wages.
Used her financial problems against her.
Now he looked small.
She felt no satisfaction.
Only exhaustion.
“You should tell the detectives everything.”
He nodded.
She left.
Dante waited outside.
“Are you all right?”
Nora shook her head.
“No.”
He nodded.
“Fair.”
She looked at him.
“Do you ever get tired of people lying?”
Dante laughed without humor.
“Every day.”
They walked toward the elevators.
Nora stopped.
“Why did you come with me?”
Dante looked at her.
“Because you asked me to.”
She stared.
Then smiled faintly.
May you like
It was such a simple answer.
And somehow, it mattered.
