Chapter 4 - Someone Inside Costa’s Empire
Victor Salerno was waiting when Gabriel returned to the penthouse.
He looked surprised to see Frankie.
“Ms. Marino.”
Frankie folded her arms.
“Where's Leo?”
Victor looked toward Gabriel.
“I don't understand.”
Gabriel dropped the old purchase offers onto the desk.
Victor's face changed for less than a second.
Frankie caught it.
So did Gabriel.
“Seven years,” Gabriel said. “You've wanted that property for seven years.”
Victor recovered quickly.
“I manage hundreds of acquisitions.”
“You forged my signature.”
Victor laughed.
“That's ridiculous.”
Frankie stepped forward.
“You inflated Leo's debt.”
“Your brother is a degenerate gambler.”
“True. Doesn't answer the question.”
Victor's smile disappeared.
Gabriel walked toward him.
“Where is Leo?”
“I don't know.”
Gabriel stared at him.
Victor stared back.
Then Frankie noticed something.
A small streak of blue paint on Victor's shoe.
She looked down.
Marino Auto used the same industrial blue paint around its rear loading entrance.
“Where were you today?”
Victor frowned.
“What?”
“Your shoe.”
Victor glanced downward.
Too quickly.
Frankie looked at Gabriel.
“He's been at the garage.”
Victor scoffed.
“That's absurd.”
Frankie crouched.
“Blue epoxy. Dad mixed this shade himself because he bought the wrong pigment fifteen years ago. We've been matching it ever since.”
Gabriel's gaze dropped to Victor's shoe.
Victor took one step backward.
That was enough.
“Marco,” Gabriel said.
The door opened.
Victor suddenly snapped, “You think she matters?”
Gabriel became completely still.
Victor realized his mistake.
Frankie did too.
Gabriel spoke quietly.
“What did you say?”
Victor swallowed.
“Nothing.”
“You said she matters.”
Gabriel stepped forward.
“That means you know exactly why she's here.”
Victor looked toward the door.
Marco blocked it.
Frankie said, “Where is my brother?”
Victor's composure cracked.
“You people don't understand what that land is worth.”
“Two million?” Frankie asked.
Victor laughed.
“Try twenty.”
Gabriel's eyes narrowed.
Victor continued.
“The city approved the freight expansion quietly. Marino Auto becomes the only private access point connecting the eastern warehouse district to the new rail terminal.”
Frankie felt sick.
“My father knew.”
Victor smiled.
“Your father suspected.”
“And refused you.”
“Repeatedly.”
“So you waited until he died.”
Victor's smile vanished.
Gabriel's voice became ice.
“Where is Leo?”
Victor looked at him.
“You'll never prove anything.”
Frankie stepped closer.
“I don't care about proving it.”
Victor smirked.
“You should.”
“No.”
She looked directly at him.
“I care about finding my brother.”
Victor's phone buzzed.
Everyone looked at it.
Victor didn't move.
Gabriel held out his hand.
“Phone.”
“No.”
“Victor.”
“No.”
Frankie suddenly understood.
“He's waiting for confirmation.”
Gabriel looked at her.
“Confirmation of what?”
Frankie stared at Victor.
“That they found the deed.”
Victor's expression betrayed him.
Frankie ran.
“Frankie!”
She ignored Gabriel.
Because the original deed wasn't in the office.
Her father had hidden it years earlier.
May you like
Underneath Marino Auto.
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