Chapter 5 - THE NAME BURIED IN THE CONTRACT
Matteo had one rule for himself.
Never call the old captains.
Not for information.
Not for favors.
Not even when threatened.
He had broken enough promises in his former life.
He intended to keep this one.
So he went to Daniel Price instead.
Daniel had spent the night reviewing the trust records.
When Matteo entered, the attorney looked exhausted.
“I found something.”
Matteo sat.
“What?”
Daniel opened a folder.
“Blackwater Transit Protection is controlled by a holding company.”
“Name?”
“North Quay Holdings.”
Matteo frowned.
“Never heard of it.”
Daniel continued.
“North Quay was incorporated three years ago.”
Matteo stared.
“The year I left.”
Daniel nodded.
“And its original registered agent was someone you know.”
He turned the document.
A name appeared.
GABRIEL VOSS.
Matteo stopped breathing.
Gabriel had been his closest lieutenant.
His friend.
The man who helped him survive the ambush that nearly killed him.
The man who drove him to Lena's apartment after eight months in hiding.
Matteo stared.
“Gabriel?”
Daniel nodded.
“He signed the incorporation documents.”
Matteo felt something cold settle beneath his ribs.
Gabriel had disappeared from his life after Matteo left the organization.
They hadn't spoken in two years.
Matteo had assumed Gabriel was respecting his decision.
Now he wondered whether Gabriel had been building something behind his back.
Daniel continued.
“There's more.”
Matteo looked up.
“North Quay has been purchasing distressed properties near the waterfront.”
“So?”
“Several belong to families of former dockworkers.”
Matteo frowned.
“Why?”
Daniel hesitated.
“The properties were acquired after a series of fires and insurance disputes.”
Silence.
Matteo stared.
“Arson?”
“Possibly.”
Daniel looked at him.
“And some of the paperwork bears your forged signature.”
Matteo leaned back.
For years, he'd been feared because he controlled the docks.
Now someone was using his name to frighten people and seize property.
He looked at Daniel.
“Can we prove it's forged?”
“Yes.”
“Then do it.”
Daniel nodded.
“We'll need independent forensic examination.”
Matteo stood.
Then stopped.
“Daniel.”
The attorney looked up.
“Find out where Gabriel is.”
Daniel hesitated.
“Matteo—”
“Through lawful channels.”
Daniel nodded.
“Understood.”
That evening, Matteo returned home.
Lena was making soup.
She looked up.
“Bad day?”
He nodded.
“Very.”
She set down the spoon.
“Want to talk?”
He hesitated.
Then told her everything.
The forged contracts.
North Quay.
Gabriel.
The suspicious property acquisitions.
Lena listened.
When he finished, she sat across from him.
“Do you think Gabriel arranged the attack?”
Matteo looked down.
“I don't know.”
She nodded.
Then asked:
“What are you going to do?”
Matteo took a breath.
“Work with Daniel and Detective Ellis.”
Lena studied him.
“No old captains?”
“No.”
“No threats?”
“No.”
She reached across the table.
Took his hand.
“Good.”
Matteo looked at her.
For the first time, he understood that keeping his promise wasn't about proving he could walk away from violence once.
It was about choosing not to return every time violence seemed easier.
Then Lena's phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered cautiously.
A man's voice spoke.
“Mrs. Marquez?”
“Yes?”
“My name is Owen Pike.”
Lena froze.
The youngest man from the diner.
His voice trembled.
“I need to tell you something.”
Lena looked at Matteo.
Owen whispered:
“Travis wasn't supposed to touch you.”
May you like
Silence.
“He was supposed to make your husband kill him.”
