The fake eastern corridor route took forty minutes to build. Roman's people could have done it in five. I made them slow down.

"No real dock workers."

Marco nodded. "No real weapons."

"None."

"No actual truck number somebody could accidentally stop."

"Fake."

I point

Roman called command together before sunset. This time, nobody looked annoyed that I was in the room. They looked nervous. Paolo sat on the left. Victor on the right. Three other senior men filled the remaining chairs. Salvatore's chair stayed empty. Roman placed three th

Roman asked if I wanted him at the appointment. He did not say he was coming. That was why I said yes. The obstetrician's office was quieter than Harborview. No police. No security cutting locks. No reporters.

Just beige walls, a stack of parenting magazines, and Roman DeLuca s