Chapter 5 - Frankie Came to Negotiate
Frankie Romano stood across the hospital lobby wearing a gray suit and the expression of a man who believed confidence could replace leverage.
Two police officers were near reception.
That was why he had chosen the hospital.
He knew I wouldn't make a scene.
Smart.
He smiled.
“Vincent.”
“Nico.”
Frankie opened his arms.
“No warm welcome?”
“What do you want?”
“To talk.”
“Talk.”
“Privately.”
“No.”
His smile faded.
“You have something belonging to me.”
“The ledger?”
A nurse glanced toward us.
Frankie lowered his voice.
“You really want to discuss this here?”
“You came here.”
He stepped closer.
“I can make your life extremely complicated.”
“You already tried.”
“And I can make Sarah's worse.”
That was his mistake.
Nico moved slightly.
I didn't.
“Say that again.”
Frankie recognized the change in my voice.
He recovered quickly.
“I mean legally.”
“Of course.”
“Dean has rights. Sarah is his wife. Custody can become complicated.”
“Dean is facing serious charges.”
“Charges aren't convictions.”
I smiled.
Frankie stopped smiling.
“What?”
“You're nervous.”
“I'm not.”
“You came into a hospital surrounded by cameras and police officers to threaten a witness.”
“I threatened nobody.”
“You mentioned Sarah.”
His jaw tightened.
“And custody.”
He realized it.
I had wanted him talking.
Behind Frankie, a man in a navy suit approached.
Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Reeves.
Frankie recognized him.
“What is this?”
Reeves held up a folder.
“Frankie Romano?”
Frankie looked at me.
“You son of a—”
“Careful,” Nico said.
Reeves stepped forward.
“We need to ask you some questions concerning financial records recovered last night.”
Frankie backed away.
“You set me up.”
“No,” I said. “You came voluntarily.”
Two detectives approached.
Frankie stared at me.
“You think handing them that ledger makes you clean?”
“I never said I was clean.”
“You'll lose everything.”
“Maybe.”
“Your clubs. Your businesses. Your people.”
“Maybe.”
His eyes narrowed.
“You're willing to burn your own world for some woman you don't know?”
I looked through the glass doors toward Sarah's floor.
“No.”
Then I looked directly at him.
“For a seven-year-old girl who shouldn't have had to send that text.”
Frankie was escorted away.
Nico watched him go.
“You know he's partly right.”
“I know.”
“The ledger exposes people connected to us.”
“I know.”
“We may lose half our operation.”
“Then we lose it.”
Nico stared at me.
“You've changed.”
“No.”
I remembered Lily opening that closet door.
You came.
“I'm just tired of pretending some things are acceptable because they're profitable.”
Nico smiled slightly.
“That's inconvenient.”
“Very.”
Upstairs, Sarah was dressed and ready for discharge.
Lily ran toward me.
“Did you get him?”
“The police did.”
“Because of you?”
“Because your mother was brave enough to tell the truth.”
Lily looked at Sarah.
“My mama is brave.”
“Yes.”
Sarah's eyes filled.
She quickly looked away.
“What happens now?”
“A car takes you somewhere safe.”
“And tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow, lawyers start working.”
“And after that?”
“You choose.”
Sarah shook her head.
“I haven't chosen anything in years.”
“Then start small.”
“With what?”
Lily raised her hand.
“I want pancakes.”
I looked at Sarah.
“There.”
She laughed for the first time.
“Pancakes.”
Lily grabbed my hand.
“You too.”
“I have work.”
“No.”
I looked down.
“No?”
“You have to come.”
“Why?”
She looked completely serious.
“Because you know scary people.”
Nico laughed behind me.
Lily added, “And Mama says restaurants are safer with scary people.”
Sarah covered her face.
“I did not say that.”
“You kinda did.”
I looked at Nico.
“Cancel my morning.”
His eyebrows rose.
“For pancakes?”
“For security.”
“Of course.”
May you like
Lily smiled.
For the first time since 11:42 p.m., she looked like a child again.
