Chapter 2 - The House With No Locks Inside
Sadi woke beneath white sheets.
Her first thought was that she was dead.
Her second was that death had surprisingly expensive ceilings.
A chandelier hung above her.
Rain tapped against tall windows.
A woman in navy scrubs stood at the bedside.
“You’re awake.”
Sadi tried sitting up.
Pain stopped her.
“Don’t.”
“Where am I?”
“Roman Hail’s residence.”
Sadi stared at her.
“That sounds worse than a hospital.”
The doctor smiled faintly.
“I’m Dr. Claire Bennett.”
“How bad?”
“Two cracked ribs, severe bruising, a dislocated shoulder that I corrected while you were sedated, dehydration, and enough swelling that you’re going to hate mirrors for a few days.”
Sadi looked toward the door.
“Where’s Roman?”
“Downstairs.”
“Doing what?”
A male voice answered from the doorway.
“Finding out why Tommy Sullivan thinks he owns my streets.”
Roman entered carrying coffee.
Sadi stiffened.
Dr. Bennett noticed.
“I’ll be nearby.”
After she left, Roman placed the coffee on a table.
“For you.”
“I work at a diner. I know what coffee looks like.”
“Good. We’re making progress.”
Sadi stared at him.
“You knew my brother.”
“I know him.”
“Is he alive?”
“Yes.”
She exhaled.
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s convenient.”
Roman pulled a chair closer but remained several feet away.
“Ben worked at one of my freight warehouses.”
“My brother hates honest work.”
“I noticed.”
Despite herself, Sadi almost smiled.
Roman continued.
“Six weeks ago, he started moving shipments for a manager named Raymond Cole.”
“And?”
“Raymond was selling information to Tommy Sullivan.”
“What kind?”
“Routes. Storage locations. Names.”
Sadi’s expression changed.
“Ben found out?”
“He found something.”
“The ledger.”
Roman nodded.
“Why didn’t he give it to you?”
“I’ve been asking myself that.”
Sadi looked down.
“Ben probably thought he could sell it.”
Roman said nothing.
“That’s what you think too.”
“Yes.”
She looked at him sharply.
“At least you’re honest.”
“I find lying inefficient.”
“Funny reputation for a mafia boss.”
Silence.
Roman’s gaze settled on her.
“You call everyone that?”
“Only men with private doctors and six security cameras outside one bedroom.”
“There are eight.”
Sadi blinked.
Roman almost smiled.
A knock sounded.
Marcus entered.
“Boss.”
Roman stood.
“Say it.”
“We found Sullivan’s car near Dempsey’s. Nobody inside.”
“Cameras?”
“Market footage was wiped.”
Sadi spoke.
“There’s another camera.”
Both men looked at her.
“Where?” Marcus asked.
“The laundromat across the alley. Mr. Patel keeps an old camera above the rear vent because people dump trash behind his building.”
Marcus reached for his phone.
Roman said, “Get it.”
Marcus left.
Sadi watched Roman.
“You really didn’t know Tommy was doing this?”
“No.”
“He used your name.”
Roman’s eyes changed.
“What exactly did he say?”
“He said my brother stole from people too important to disappoint.”
“Did he say me?”
“No.”
“Then don’t give him credit he didn’t earn.”
Sadi leaned back.
“You’re offended.”
“I’m irritated.”
“Because he beat up a waitress?”
“Because he hurt someone who wasn’t part of his dispute.”
Her expression hardened.
“You people always say that.”
“What?”
“That there are rules.”
“There are.”
“Funny. Nobody explained them to my ribs.”
Roman’s face became unreadable.
Sadi immediately regretted saying it.
But Roman merely nodded.
“You’re right.”
That surprised her more than anger would have.
A phone rang on the nightstand.
Roman looked at the screen.
Unknown number.
Sadi’s stomach dropped.
“My phone?”
“Recovered from the alley.”
“Answer it.”
Roman didn’t move.
“Speaker.”
She accepted the call.
“Hello?”
A breath came through.
Then a familiar voice.
“Sadi?”
Her eyes filled.
“Ben?”
Roman became absolutely still.
“Sadi, listen to me. Are you safe?”
“Where are you?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Tommy found me.”
Silence.
Then Ben whispered, “Oh God.”
“You left me alone!”
“I didn’t know he would—”
“You knew exactly what kind of people you were dealing with!”
“Sadi, I’m sorry.”
Roman extended his hand.
Sadi stared at him.
Ben heard the silence.
“Who’s there?”
Roman spoke.
“Me.”
On the phone, breathing stopped.
“Hail?”
“Hello, Ben.”
“Roman, I can explain.”
“You have one minute.”
Ben’s voice cracked.
“I took the ledger because Raymond was going to kill me after the shipment.”
“Where is it?”
“Safe.”
“Wrong answer.”
“Tommy wants it too.”
“I know.”
Roman’s tone lowered.
“He demonstrated his interest on your sister.”
Ben went silent.
Roman glanced at Sadi.
“Where are you?”
“I need protection.”
“You’re negotiating badly.”
“Promise me Sadi stays safe.”
Roman looked at her.
“She already is.”
“Promise.”
“I just did.”
A pause.
Then Ben whispered an address.
“Old St. Matthew’s garage. Midnight.”
The call ended.
Sadi looked at Roman.
“You’re going.”
“Yes.”
“So am I.”
“No.”
“You don’t get to decide that.”
“You can barely stand.”
“Then bring a chair.”
Roman stared at her.
Sadi stared back.
Finally he sighed.
May you like
“I’m beginning to understand why your brother runs.”
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