Chapter 6
My uncle Leonard wasn't dead.
Not according to Anthony.
He had been hidden.
Protected.
Moved between properties belonging to men loyal to my father long before I took control.
“Why?”
Anthony sat now.
No arrogance left.
“He tried to overthrow your father.”
I stared at him.
“My father told me Leonard died overseas.”
“He wanted the family to believe that.”
Adelaide closed her eyes.
She knew.
Of course she knew.
I looked at my mother.
“You knew he lived.”
“For three years.”
“Then?”
“Your father told me Leonard disappeared.”
“But he didn't.”
“No.”
Pain crossed her face.
Not fear.
Guilt.
Leonard had been her brother-in-law.
Once family.
That word had covered too many crimes in my life.
“Why come back now?”
Anthony answered.
“Because you made peace possible.”
I almost laughed.
“Leonard wants war?”
“Leonard wants the family your father built.”
“My father is dead.”
“He believes you killed what remained.”
There it was again.
Not money.
Not territory.
Identity.
Old men are dangerous when they confuse memory with destiny.
“You brought him into my mother's home.”
Anthony looked away.
“Nolan did.”
Nolan stood.
“No.”
Hattie stared at him.
“What?”
Nolan's face changed.
He had kept something even from his wife.
Anthony smiled.
Finally someone else's betrayal to enjoy.
“Nolan opened the west garden gate four nights ago.”
Hattie turned.
“You said that was a supplier.”
Nolan said nothing.
I looked at him.
“Leonard entered my estate through your gate?”
“I didn't know who he was.”
“Lie.”
“He said he was Anthony's guest.”
“Another lie.”
Nolan's jaw tightened.
I walked closer.
“What did he promise you?”
Nothing.
That meant something.
“Money?”
No reaction.
“Territory?”
Tiny.
There.
“Which?”
Nolan finally answered.
“The south routes.”
Of course.
Leonard had bought him with roads and crews.
Hattie laughed.
Not kindly.
“You let them starve an old woman for trucks?”
Nolan turned on her.
“You put the chain on her.”
They began shouting.
I let them.
People reveal more when they stop performing for the boss and start blaming each other.
Then Nolan said something useful.
“You were the one who wanted Adelaide humiliated before Leonard came back tonight.”
Silence.
Hattie froze.
I looked at her.
“Tonight?”
Anthony swore under his breath.
There it was.
The banquet wasn't just a stage for my mother's forced speech.
It was a welcome.
Leonard intended to return in front of the old capos.
Not tomorrow.
Tonight.
He expected Adelaide weakened.
Me absent.
The old men uncertain.
Then he would walk into a banquet my mother paid for and present himself as the Carbone who had returned to save the family.
I looked toward the gates.
“What time?”
Nobody answered.
I checked my watch.
10:46.
Then the lights beyond the west garden flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
May you like
Anthony whispered:
“He's here.”
