Chapter 2 - THE COAT THAT STARTED A WAR
The trouble began the following morning.
Isla was halfway through her breakfast when Cole emerged from behind the curtain dividing their apartment.
He stopped.
Stared at the expensive black coat hanging over their kitchen chair.
Then signed:
Did you rob a millionaire?
Isla nearly choked on her coffee.
No.
Cole examined the coat.
Then did a millionaire rob his closet and leave the evidence here?
She laughed.
For a moment, life felt wonderfully ordinary.
Then her phone rang.
Curtis.
“Where are you?”
“Home.”
“You're scheduled at eleven.”
“It's nine.”
“Get here early.”
“Why?”
A pause.
“Because we need to discuss your behavior.”
When Isla arrived at The Gilded Table, Curtis was waiting in the manager's office.
Renee stood beside him.
Perry lingered near the doorway.
Curtis pointed at the chair.
“Sit.”
Isla remained standing.
“What happened?”
He folded his arms.
“You've been encouraging inappropriate attention from a customer.”
She blinked.
“Excuse me?”
“Mr. Rienzi.”
“What about him?”
Renee gave a theatrical sigh.
“Isla, everybody saw you leave wearing his coat.”
Isla stared.
“He offered it because it was raining.”
Curtis leaned forward.
“You think we're stupid?”
“No,” Isla said quietly. “I think you're looking for a reason to punish me.”
His expression hardened.
“You're suspended.”
The words struck harder than she expected.
“For what?”
“Unprofessional conduct.”
“Can you show me the policy I violated?”
Curtis smiled.
“I don't have to explain myself.”
Isla looked at Perry.
He lowered his eyes.
She looked at Renee.
Renee smiled.
And Isla understood.
The prank had failed.
Now they were punishing her for surviving it.
She walked home carrying a cardboard box containing her apron, name badge, and the pair of black shoes she kept in her locker.
She had forty-three dollars in her checking account.
Rent was due in eight days.
Cole's trade-school certification exam was scheduled for the following month.
And the landlord had already warned them about late payments.
That evening, Cole found her sitting on the floor beside the kitchen cabinet.
What happened?
She explained.
His face darkened.
I'll go there.
No.
They can't do that.
Apparently, they can.
Cole sat beside her.
Then signed something that made her throat tighten.
You spent your whole life making sure I wasn't treated like a problem.
He paused.
Don't let them make you one.
Isla looked at him.
Then smiled through tears.
I'm trying.
At precisely seven that evening, someone knocked.
Isla opened the door.
A tall man in a gray suit stood in the hallway.
He held a small envelope.
“Miss Marsh?”
“Yes?”
“My name is Gabriel Santoro. I work for Matteo Rienzi.”
Her stomach dropped.
Gabriel handed her the envelope.
Inside was a handwritten note.
I heard what happened.
I would like to speak with you.
Only if you want to.
Matteo.
Isla stared at the words.
Then looked up.
“How did he know?”
Gabriel hesitated.
May you like
“Mr. Rienzi notices more than people think.”
And suddenly Isla realized that the quiet man in the private dining room might be far more dangerous to Curtis than Curtis had ever imagined.
