Chapter 3 - The Ledger
At eleven forty-five, Roman walked into Sadi’s room carrying a coat.
“You’re not going.”
Sadi looked up from the edge of the bed.
“I’m dressed.”
“That isn’t an argument.”
“It’s evidence.”
Dr. Bennett had reluctantly approved her walking for short distances.
Sadi wore borrowed black pants, a sweater, and a sling.
Roman looked at her shoes.
“You can barely tie those.”
“I used one hand.”
“Impressive. Still no.”
Sadi stood.
Pain crossed her face.
Roman noticed.
She hated that he noticed.
“Ben is my brother.”
“And someone is using you to control him.”
“Exactly why I’m coming.”
Roman studied her for several seconds.
“Stay beside Marcus.”
“Fine.”
“You do what he says.”
“Depends what he says.”
“Sadi.”
She held up her good hand.
“Fine.”
Old St. Matthew’s garage had been abandoned for twelve years.
Roman’s convoy entered from the west.
Marcus stayed beside Sadi while Roman crossed the concrete floor alone.
“Ben?” Roman called.
A shadow moved behind a pillar.
Ben Morgan stepped out.
He looked terrible.
Unshaven.
Wet.
Terrified.
Then he saw Sadi.
His face collapsed.
“Sadi.”
She didn’t move.
Ben approached.
Marcus stepped between them.
Sadi said, “Let him.”
Marcus moved aside.
Ben stopped two feet away.
“God, look at you.”
“That’s your opening line?”
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re always sorry.”
“I didn’t know.”
“You knew enough to run.”
Ben swallowed.
Roman interrupted.
“Ledger.”
Ben looked at him.
“First I need—”
Roman’s expression ended the negotiation.
Ben reached inside his jacket and removed a flash drive.
Roman didn’t take it.
“That’s not a ledger.”
“I copied it.”
“Where’s the original?”
“With Raymond.”
Roman’s eyes narrowed.
“You said you stole it.”
“I stole the information. Raymond caught me before I could take the book.”
Marcus cursed quietly.
Sadi looked at Ben.
“Why?”
Ben stared at the floor.
“Because I owe money.”
“To Tommy?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“Eighty thousand.”
Sadi laughed in disbelief.
“You don’t even have eighty dollars.”
“I was winning at first.”
“No one is winning when they borrow eighty thousand dollars!”
Ben looked at Roman.
“I found out Tommy was paying Raymond. I thought if I copied the ledger, I could trade it for the debt.”
Roman said, “Instead, you gave him proof he could use to destroy half my operation.”
“I didn’t give him anything.”
“Yet.”
“I came to you.”
“After your sister nearly died.”
Ben flinched.
Sadi stepped forward.
“Enough.”
Roman looked at her.
“You wanted answers.”
“I wanted answers, not an execution.”
“No one said execution.”
“Your face did.”
Marcus looked away, hiding a reaction.
Ben held the drive toward Roman.
“It has every payment Raymond received. Tommy’s buyers. Police contacts. Warehouse schedules. Everything.”
Roman took it.
A car engine suddenly echoed outside.
Marcus reached for his radio.
“Movement.”
Roman turned.
“Lights off.”
The garage plunged into darkness.
Sadi heard tires.
Doors.
Then Tommy Sullivan’s voice.
“Ben!”
Sadi went cold.
Roman moved in front of her.
Tommy entered with several men.
He stopped when emergency lights illuminated Roman’s face.
“Well.”
Roman said nothing.
Tommy’s confidence slipped.
“Hail.”
“You hit her.”
Tommy glanced at Sadi.
“That?”
Sadi’s jaw tightened.
Roman’s voice became quieter.
“Choose your next sentence carefully.”
Tommy looked around.
“You’re making this personal?”
“No.”
Roman held up the flash drive.
“I’m making it expensive.”
Tommy’s eyes jumped toward Ben.
“You stupid little—”
Roman stepped into his line of sight.
“Look at me.”
Tommy did.
Roman said, “You have been using my routes, paying one of my managers, threatening employees under my protection, and hurting civilians because you assumed I wouldn’t notice.”
Tommy forced a smile.
“Business is business.”
“No.”
Roman glanced at Sadi.
“This stopped being business in an alley.”
Police sirens sounded in the distance.
Tommy’s face changed.
“What did you do?”
Roman looked almost amused.
“I did what men like you never expect.”
“What?”
“I kept evidence.”
The garage doors opened.
Unmarked vehicles filled the entrance.
Tommy backed away.
“You’re working with cops?”
Roman answered, “Tonight, I’m working with consequences.”
Detectives entered.
Tommy’s eyes burned toward Sadi.
“This isn’t finished.”
Roman moved closer.
“For you, it is.”
As Tommy was taken away, Sadi turned toward Ben.
Her brother looked relieved.
Then Roman’s phone rang.
Marcus handed him another phone.
His expression had changed.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“The flash drive isn’t the whole problem.”
Roman listened.
Marcus continued.
“Raymond Cole disappeared an hour ago.”
Roman looked at Ben.
“Where is the original ledger?”
Ben went pale.
“I told you. Raymond had it.”
Marcus shook his head.
“Not anymore.”
Roman’s eyes hardened.
May you like
“Someone else just entered the game.”
---
