Chapter 2 - The Boy at the Gate
By 2:07 a.m., the Costa estate was awake.
Roman’s underboss, Vincent Marino, entered the kitchen with two security men.
Nobody touched the device.
Vincent bent over it.
“Transmitter?”
“Looks like it,” Roman said.
Sadie stood near the refrigerator.
“Maybe Toby didn't know.”
Roman glanced at her.
“You're defending him?”
“I’m saying he’s nineteen.”
“So?”
“So he turns red when somebody says hello.”
Roman’s expression remained flat.
“Excellent cover.”
Sadie stared at him.
“You really think Toby is spying on you?”
“I think somebody brought surveillance equipment into my house.”
“He brought flowers.”
“With a microphone.”
“He might not have put it there.”
Roman stepped closer.
“And you might be right.”
That surprised her.
Vincent straightened.
“We can bring him in.”
Sadie immediately looked at Roman.
“Bring him in?”
“For questions,” Roman said.
“What kind of questions?”
Roman’s eyebrow lifted.
“Normal ones.”
Vincent coughed.
Sadie looked between them.
“Why did he cough?”
“He has allergies.”
“I don't have allergies,” Vincent said.
Roman gave him a look.
Vincent became silent.
Sadie pointed toward Roman.
“No hurting Toby.”
Roman stared at her finger.
Sadie slowly lowered it.
“Please.”
Roman looked at Vincent.
“Bring the kid here.”
“Boss—”
“Unharmed.”
Vincent nodded.
“Understood.”
“And find out where those flowers were purchased.”
Vincent left.
Sadie exhaled.
Roman poured another Scotch.
“You should sleep.”
She stared at him.
“Did you just tell me to sleep after finding a listening device in my flowers?”
“Yes.”
“That's insane.”
“You'll be protected.”
“By whom?”
“Me.”
The answer came without hesitation.
Sadie fell silent.
Roman seemed to realize what he'd said.
He looked away.
Sadie studied him.
“Why?”
“Because you work here.”
“So does Mrs. Donnelly. Would you personally protect her?”
Roman took a drink.
“Go downstairs.”
“That wasn't an answer.”
“Good night, Sadie.”
She started toward the door.
Then stopped.
“Roman?”
His eyes snapped toward her.
She had never called him that.
Sadie almost corrected herself.
But didn't.
“If Toby didn't know about the microphone, you're letting him go.”
Roman stared at her for several seconds.
“Yes.”
“Promise?”
“I don't make promises.”
“Then give me your word.”
Roman's expression darkened.
“You're becoming very comfortable tonight.”
Sadie folded her arms.
“You discovered my flowers were bugged. I think normal workplace etiquette has already collapsed.”
Again, that almost-smile.
“Fine.”
He extended his hand.
“My word.”
Sadie looked at it.
Then shook it.
His hand was warm and rough.
Roman's fingers remained around hers a fraction too long.
Both noticed.
Sadie pulled away first.
“Good night.”
She disappeared down the hallway.
Vincent returned five minutes later.
Roman was still staring toward the door.
Vincent noticed.
He also noticed the carnations.
“Boss.”
“What?”
“You want me to say nothing?”
“Yes.”
“About the girl?”
Roman's eyes turned cold.
“What girl?”
Vincent nodded wisely.
“Exactly.”
Roman picked up his Scotch.
“Find Toby.”
They did.
At 3:11 a.m., a terrified nineteen-year-old bakery employee sat in Roman Costa’s study.
“I swear I didn't do anything.”
Toby's hands trembled.
Roman sat behind his desk.
Sadie stood beside the door.
Vincent had protested her presence.
Roman had protested harder.
Toby looked at Sadie.
“Tell them!”
“Tell them what?”
“The flowers!”
Roman leaned back.
“Yes, Toby.”
His voice was terrifyingly calm.
“Tell us about the flowers.”
“I bought them from Mr. Patel's shop.”
“Who wrapped them?”
“The woman working there.”
“Name.”
“I don't know!”
“Think.”
Toby squeezed his eyes shut.
“She wasn't usually there. Blonde. Maybe thirty.”
Vincent looked at Roman.
“When did you buy them?”
“This morning. Before my route.”
“Did you leave them unattended?”
Toby hesitated.
Roman saw it.
“When?”
“I stopped for gas.”
“How long?”
“Five minutes.”
Roman looked at Vincent.
There it was.
Opportunity.
Sadie stepped forward.
“Toby.”
He looked at her.
“Did anyone approach your van?”
“I don't know.”
“Think.”
Toby's face changed.
“A black SUV.”
Roman leaned forward.
Toby continued.
“There was a man beside the pumps. He asked if I delivered to the Costa estate.”
Silence.
“What did you tell him?” Roman asked.
“Nothing. I swear.”
“What did he look like?”
Toby described him.
Vincent's expression hardened.
Roman recognized the description immediately.
The man who had been trying to breach his organization for weeks.
Roman stood.
“Toby didn't plant it.”
Sadie's shoulders dropped.
Roman looked at Vincent.
“Take him home.”
Toby stood shakily.
Roman added, “Double his bakery order.”
Toby blinked.
“What?”
“And tell your boss the Costa estate will pay the difference.”
Sadie stared at Roman.
Toby hurried toward the door.
Then Roman called after him.
“One more thing.”
Toby froze.
Roman pointed toward the carnations.
“Don't send flowers here again.”
“Roman.”
Sadie's voice contained a warning.
Roman looked at her.
Then sighed.
“Fine.”
He looked back at Toby.
May you like
“Send better ones.”
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