Chapter 7 - The Manager's Secret

Chloe called Marco three times.

No answer.

On the fourth, his phone went straight to voicemail.

"He warned me not to go," she said.

Gabriel stood across from her in the library. "That does not make him innocent."

"It does not make him guilty either."

"The shooter called him."

"Then maybe the shooter threatened him."

Gabriel studied her. "You defend people quickly."

"You condemn them quickly."

"It has kept me alive."

"Has it kept you happy?"

The question landed harder than she intended.

Beatrice looked between them and signed.

Good question.

Gabriel ignored her.

They returned to Il Canto before dawn.

Mateo's men entered first.

The restaurant was dark except for the emergency lights.

Marco's office door stood open.

Inside, a chair was overturned.

Blood streaked the desk.

Chloe's stomach dropped.

"Marco?"

She rushed forward.

Mateo stopped her.

"Wait."

A faint sound came from the supply closet.

They opened it.

Marco sat on the floor with his hands zip-tied behind his back and blood running from his eyebrow.

Chloe dropped beside him.

"Oh my God."

"I told you not to go," he muttered.

"You also forgot the part where armed men were stalking you."

"Seemed dramatic."

Gabriel cut the ties.

"Who did this?"

Marco rubbed his wrists. "Two men. One I did not know. One I did."

Gabriel's eyes narrowed. "Vincent?"

Marco shook his head.

"Your driver."

"Which driver?"

"Eddie Sloan."

Mateo swore under his breath.

Eddie had driven Beatrice for almost seven years.

Chloe looked at her.

Beatrice's face crumpled.

Gabriel crouched in front of Marco. "Why did the shooter call you?"

"Because I helped Vincent once."

The room went still.

Marco swallowed.

"Last month, he asked for a copy of the private-room reservation book. Said he was planning a surprise for Mrs. Costello. I gave it to him. Then tonight, he paid me to make sure Table 7 had no staff who knew sign language."

Chloe stared.

"How would you even know which servers know ASL?"

"I did not. He told me to avoid you."

Her blood went cold.

"He knew?"

Marco nodded miserably. "Your employee file mentions that you volunteered with a deaf youth program. I did not think it mattered. I scheduled Nina. Nina went home sick. You took the section."

Gabriel's jaw tightened.

"So Vincent knew my mother might try to communicate tonight."

"Yes."

Beatrice signed suddenly.

Because I sent him a message.

Gabriel looked at Chloe.

"She says she texted Vincent yesterday."

Beatrice pulled out her phone.

Her sent message was short.

I KNOW ABOUT CARLO. I WILL TELL GABRIEL AT DINNER.

Gabriel stared at her. "Why would you warn him?"

Beatrice signed.

Because I wanted him afraid enough to make a mistake.

Gabriel actually laughed once.

"You set a trap?"

Beatrice lifted her chin.

I married your father. What do you think?

Chloe translated.

For the first time, pride flickered across Gabriel's face.

Then Mateo's phone rang.

He answered.

His expression changed immediately.

"Say that again."

He looked at Gabriel.

"Eddie Sloan was found ten minutes ago."

"Where?"

"In his car under the West Side Highway."

Gabriel waited.

Mateo's voice dropped.

"He was murdered."

Beatrice gripped the edge of the desk.

Mateo added, "And there was something in the passenger seat."

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