Chapter 6 - The Last Order Salvatore Gave
Salvatore made bail.
Money could do that.
Power could do worse.
Two nights later, Jamie's daycare van never reached the hotel.
At 4:06 p.m., my phone rang.
“Nora Bennett?”
“Yes.”
“This is Atlantic City Police.”
My knees weakened.
The van had been found abandoned.
The driver was alive.
Jamie wasn't there.
I called Luca.
He answered before the first ring finished.
“Nora?”
“They took him.”
Silence.
Then:
“Where are you?”
“Hotel lobby.”
“Stay there.”
“I am not staying anywhere.”
“Nora—”
“He's my son.”
“And I am going to bring him back.”
“No.”
My voice shook.
“We are.”
Twenty minutes later, Luca's men traced Salvatore to an abandoned marina warehouse.
Luca wanted me behind police lines.
I refused.
“You can hate me tomorrow,” he said.
“I already hate you today.”
“Good. Do it from the car.”
Then Jamie's voice came through Luca's phone.
“Mom?”
I grabbed it.
“Jamie!”
Salvatore spoke next.
“Bring me the evidence Evan collected.”
Luca's expression darkened.
I understood.
The letter wasn't the only thing Evan had left.
Luca had financial records capable of putting Salvatore away permanently.
“You want the files?” Luca said.
“Yes.”
“Release the boy.”
“You first.”
Luca looked at me.
I knew what he was thinking.
If he handed over the evidence, Salvatore could escape.
If he refused, Jamie remained inside.
“Give it to him,” I whispered.
Luca didn't hesitate.
“Done.”
Marco looked at him.
“Boss—”
“Prepare the drive.”
“You'll lose everything we have on Salvatore.”
Luca's eyes stayed on mine.
“It's paper.”
Then he looked toward the warehouse.
“The boy isn't.”
Ten minutes later, Luca walked toward the warehouse alone carrying the drive.
Police waited out of sight.
The doors opened.
Jamie came running.
“Mom!”
I broke every instruction I'd been given.
I ran.
Jamie collided with me.
I dropped to my knees and held him.
Behind us, Salvatore tried escaping through a rear dock.
He never made it.
Police boats were already waiting.
They arrested him before he reached the water.
Marco walked toward Luca.
“The drive?”
Luca smiled faintly.
“Blank.”
I stared at him.
“You gave him a blank drive?”
“I'm sentimental, not stupid.”
Jamie pointed at him.
“You lied.”
Luca crouched.
“To a bad man.”
Jamie considered this.
“Okay.”
I laughed through my tears.
Luca looked at us.
For the first time since I'd met him, the Wolf of Atlantic City didn't look frightening.
He looked tired.
Human.
And very alone.
Jamie reached out.
“Are you coming for pancakes?”
Luca blinked.
“Now?”
“You said mafia guys eat pancakes.”
Luca looked at me.
I should have said no.
Instead, I stood.
“Chocolate chip.”
He smiled.
May you like
“Obviously.”
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