Chapter 7 - The Trap in Chicago
Tony wanted to leave immediately.
Dominic stopped him in the garage.
"Boss, this is exactly what they want."
"They have Clara."
"And they'll use her to get you."
Tony turned.
"Then I'll give them what they want."
Dominic shook his head.
"We need a plan."
Tony stared at the note.
Clara was not a bargaining chip. She was not a financial asset. She was a person who had trusted him enough to attend a gathering where she knew she would be unwelcome.
And now she was missing.
"Track her phone."
"It's destroyed."
"Find the vehicle."
Dominic nodded.
"We have partial footage from the north gate. A black SUV, temporary plates. I already sent the image to our contacts."
Within an hour, they had a lead.
The SUV had been registered to a shell company connected to Victor Vance. Its last known location was a private warehouse outside Chicago.
Tony ordered a flight.
Before leaving, he visited Arthur.
"Your daughter is coming home."
Arthur's eyes filled.
"Please bring her back."
Tony paused.
"I will."
In Chicago, Clara woke in a cold warehouse.
Her wrists were tied to a metal chair. A single light hung above her.
Vinnie Gambino stood several feet away.
He was shorter than she expected, with a thick neck and a scar across his cheek.
"Your father should have paid his debts."
Clara looked at him.
"He never owed you that much."
Gambino smiled.
"That's an interesting opinion."
"Victor Vance manufactured the debt."
The smile disappeared.
"Who told you that?"
"My father."
Gambino slapped the table.
"Your father should have kept his mouth shut."
Clara flinched but did not look away.
"Why are you helping Victor?"
"Because he pays."
"With stolen money?"
Gambino leaned forward.
"Careful."
Clara took a breath.
"You know Tony Moretti is coming."
"That's why you're here."
He placed a photograph on the table.
It showed Tony entering the warehouse district.
"Your employer is going to make a very expensive mistake tonight."
Clara understood.
They were not merely using her to retrieve the ledger.
They intended to eliminate Tony.
Gambino walked toward the door.
"Don't worry. You'll be useful."
After he left, Clara examined the chair.
The rope around her wrists was tight but not impossible to loosen. She began working her fingers beneath the knot.
Minutes passed.
Then she heard voices outside.
A woman spoke.
"Is she still awake?"
Clara recognized Lana.
The door opened.
Lana entered wearing a black coat.
"Well," she said, "we meet again."
Clara stared at her.
"Why are you doing this?"
Lana pulled a chair closer.
"Because you ruined my life."
"I didn't make you lock the doors."
Lana's eyes flashed.
"You were supposed to disappear into the snow. It would have been unfortunate, but nobody would have questioned it."
Clara felt sick.
"So you did want me dead."
Lana said nothing.
Clara continued.
"Why? Because Tony complimented my coffee?"
Lana laughed.
"You think this is about coffee?"
She leaned forward.
"Your mother had something that belonged to my father. Something worth millions. You were never supposed to find it."
Clara froze.
"What did my mother have?"
Lana's smile vanished.
Before she could answer, a man's voice came from the doorway.
"That's enough."
Victor entered.
He looked at Lana with fury.
"Have you completely lost your mind?"
Lana stood.
"She knows."
"Then stop talking."
Victor turned toward Clara.
"Your mother made a terrible mistake. She took documents that were never hers."
"She was protecting someone."
Victor's expression changed.
"She was protecting a criminal."
Clara stared at him.
"Who?"
Victor smiled coldly.
"Your mother knew the truth about Isabella's death. And she knew who ordered it."
Clara's breath caught.
"Who?"
May you like
Victor moved closer.
"Your employer's father."
