Chapter 4 - Cold realization sweeps across a grieving mob boss as he connects the missing security logs to the sudden tragedy that shattered his powerful criminal empire forever.
Memories of three nights ago flashed through Salvatore’s mind like frames of a disjointed, horrifying motion picture.
The estate security grid had mysteriously deactivated for precisely four minutes during the height of the torrential rainstorm.
Only two men held the master override codes capable of blinding the electronic surveillance network across the compound.
One of those men was Salvatore himself; the other standing right here in the hall was Marcus.
The small white casket before him held his beloved granddaughter, whose innocent life was stolen in the middle of that blackout.
The beige teddy bear resting peacefully on top of the casket seemed to mock the brutal violence of her passing.
Salvatore’s chest rose and fell with controlled, rhythmic breaths as he contained the volcano of fury inside him.
"You turned off the cameras," Salvatore stated, his voice dropping to a dangerous, register-shaking whisper.
Marcus shook his head violently, his short brown hair flying as he waved his hands in frantic denial.
"I would never touch the family! You know what the code means to us!" Marcus shouted, losing his composure.
"You traded family for an alliance with the rival syndicate across the state line," Salvatore accused with deadly clarity.
The American flag in the corner fluttered silently, as if holding its breath for the inevitable explosion of violence.
Brun let out a sharp bark that reverberated through the hall like a gunshot, signaling the end of all words.
Salvatore raised his hand slightly, signaling his enforcers to block every exit leading out of the chapel.
"There's nowhere to run, Marcus; the gates are locked, and the dog has already marked your scent," Salvatore warned.
Marcus backed up against the heavy oak doors, his hand twitching nervously toward his waistline.
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"If I go down, the whole operation goes down with me!" Marcus screamed in sheer desperation.
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