Chapter 6
Dominic’s lawyer requested a meeting.
Rocco agreed.
Dominic came prepared.
Market studies.
Security reports.
Membership surveys.
Property-value projections.
The presentation was good.
Very good.
Dominic argued that the Castellano Club was slowly becoming economically obsolete.
Younger wealthy members preferred modern facilities.
Parking was inadequate.
The surrounding blocks reduced the club’s appeal.
Redeveloping the area could triple the value of family-held property over ten years.
Rocco listened without interrupting.
When Dominic finished, he asked:
“Why didn’t you bring this to me?”
Dominic’s answer came quickly.
“Because you would have said no.”
“Then you already understand the problem.”
“You confuse permission with wisdom.”
Rocco leaned back.
Dominic continued.
“You’ve been talking about legacy for twenty years. Legacy doesn’t pay property taxes.”
“No.”
“Those shops are dying.”
“Some are.”
“You can save them for another five years, maybe ten. Then what?”
Rocco did not answer.
Because parts of Dominic’s argument were true.
Several neighborhood businesses were struggling before Dominic interfered.
The club needed renovation.
Parking was a problem.
Property taxes were rising.
A redevelopment plan was not inherently evil.
“What does this have to do with North Harbor?”
Dominic looked at his lawyer.
The lawyer said nothing.
Rocco noticed.
Dominic replied, “They approached me.”
“When?”
“Eight months ago.”
“And you never disclosed it.”
“I was exploring.”
“Using club vendor relationships.”
“No.”
“You canceled suppliers whose properties North Harbor then tried to buy.”
“Those vendors were underperforming.”
“Maybe.”
Rocco slid the Vance sanitation report across the table.
“But this one is false.”
Dominic looked down.
“The receiving manager filed that.”
“A receiving manager who conveniently quit.”
“I didn’t fabricate it.”
“Then help me prove that.”
Dominic did not answer.
Rocco continued.
“Give Grace access to every communication you had with North Harbor.”
Dominic’s lawyer intervened.
“We’ll review what is legally required.”
Rocco looked at Dominic.
“Your answer?”
Dominic stared at him.
“You don’t trust me.”
“I trusted you enough to put my name on your badge.”
Rocco’s voice lowered.
“You’re the one who made me take it back.”
Dominic left without agreeing.
That refusal transformed the investigation.
May you like
Until then, Rocco had been asking whether Dominic made unethical management decisions.
Now he had to ask whether Dominic had something financially personal to hide.
