Chapter 3 - The Name From Her Past
Sadie had been twenty-two when Narragansett Community Bank accused her of authorizing fraudulent transfers.
She hadn't.
But the authorization carried her employee credentials.
The investigation ended her career.
Her husband disappeared when the lawsuits began.
Debt collectors followed.
Sadie had spent five years rebuilding a life from almost nothing.
Now she stared at the same routing pattern.
Enzo closed his office door.
“Tell me everything.”
“I was blamed for approving transfers through dormant commercial accounts.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
“Who had access?”
“My supervisor.”
“Name?”
Sadie looked at him.
“Gerald Voss.”
Enzo went still.
“The grocery manager.”
“Yes.”
The room became silent.
Sadie whispered, “That isn't coincidence.”
“No.”
“And Rocco approved these invoices.”
“Yes.”
She looked at Enzo.
“You knew Gerald?”
“Never met him before that store.”
“Then somebody connected us.”
Enzo called Salvatore.
“Find Gerald Voss.”
Salvatore returned twenty minutes later.
“He's gone.”
“Gone where?”
“Apartment empty.”
Sadie crossed her arms.
“He ran.”
Salvatore shook his head.
“Not alone.”
“What does that mean?”
“Neighbor saw somebody pick him up.”
“Who?”
“Gray sedan. Older man driving.”
Sadie's eyes moved toward the invoices.
Rocco.
But Enzo wasn't ready to say it.
That evening, Sadie stayed late.
At 9:16 p.m., Enzo entered her office carrying two coffees.
“You eat?”
“Coffee isn't food.”
“That's why I also brought sandwiches.”
He placed a paper bag beside her.
Sadie looked at him.
“Do mafia bosses usually deliver dinner?”
“No.”
“What do they usually do?”
“Apparently hire cashiers who insult them.”
She almost smiled.
Then she noticed an invoice.
Her expression changed.
“Enzo.”
“What?”
“Come here.”
She pointed to a series of transfers.
“These payments don't end at Bayline.”
“Where do they go?”
“Three shell companies.”
“Owned by?”
“I don't know yet.”
Sadie traced the numbers.
“But look at the dates.”
Enzo leaned closer.
Every transfer occurred on a Tuesday.
Exactly like Gerald's grocery theft.
Enzo whispered, “Gerald was still working for whoever did this.”
“Yes.”
Her phone rang.
Harborview.
Sadie answered immediately.
“Hello?”
Her face drained of color.
“I'll be there.”
Enzo stood.
“What happened?”
“Ruth fell.”
“I'll drive.”
“You don't have to.”
“Sadie.”
She looked at him.
“I'm driving.”
At Harborview, Ruth was frightened but unharmed.
When Enzo entered the room behind Sadie, Ruth stared at him.
Then smiled.
“Nora.”
Sadie took her hand.
“Yes, Mama.”
Ruth pointed at Enzo.
“Is that your husband?”
Sadie nearly choked.
“No.”
Enzo said, “Not currently.”
Sadie glared at him.
Ruth laughed.
For the first time, Enzo saw Sadie laugh too.
Later, outside the room, Sadie's expression fell.
“I can't lose her.”
“You won't.”
“Don't promise things you can't control.”
Enzo nodded.
“Fair.”
He paused.
“How much?”
“No.”
“I didn't offer money.”
“You were about to.”
“Yes.”
“I'll earn it.”
Enzo looked at her for several seconds.
“That's what I thought you'd say.”
Sadie's phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
A message.
STOP LOOKING AT BAYLINE.
She showed Enzo.
A second message arrived.
YOU DIDN'T LEARN THE FIRST TIME.
Sadie's hand began trembling.
Enzo read it.
His face changed completely.
The quiet businessman disappeared.
“Salvatore.”
Salvatore stepped closer.
“Boss?”
“Nobody approaches Sadie without us knowing.”
Sadie grabbed Enzo's sleeve.
“No.”
He looked at her.
“I am not spending my life hiding again.”
“I'm trying to protect you.”
“Then help me finish the audit.”
Enzo stared at her.
Finally, he nodded.
May you like
“Finish it.”
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