“I hope not, but I think we need to accept the possibility. Do you have any apparent suspects?”
Giovanni looked away with a distant expression. Something about his face made me believe there was someone he had in mind but was still reluctant to name. “Giovanni?”
He quickly shook his head. “I’ll put down names for you today and email them to you. I think we should join our wives, they are waiting for us.”
He was right. Val and Livia were looking our way. The plates were already filled with food. I inclined my head, but my suspicion remained. If Giovanni hesitated to reveal a name, it must be someone he was close to, so either one of his closest soldiers or family. “Is Orazio still in Chicago? He’s been working with the Famiglia closely and might have clues about possible suspects.”
Giovanni’s expression darkened. “We got in an argument yesterday. I haven’t talked to him since then. He’s supposed to help me with our new drug lab until next week.”
I hadn’t seen Orazio in a couple of months. Since the war with the Famiglia had broken out again, he’d mostly worked for Pietro in Minneapolis and only occasionally when Giovanni insisted in Chicago as had been the case the last two weeks, but we hadn’t crossed paths. It had been a constant conflict between the two that he refused to finally return to Chicago and work with his father. After all, Orazio was supposed to take over as Underboss at some point. I knew Giovanni was dangling the position over his head under the condition that Orazio settled down and married a woman his parents chose for him. I hadn’t gotten involved so far, neither as Orazio’s brother-in-law nor as Capo. Forcing him into a bond he was reluctant about wasn’t part of my duties. But eventually, Orazio would have to take over from Giovanni, so one of them would have to back down.
Val gave me a questioning look. I smoothed my expression. I didn’t want to give her reason to worry. She should only focus on our newborn son, not the problems between her father and brother.
After lunch, I headed into the office and tried to call Orazio but the voicemail answered. Instead, I called Pietro, wondering if Orazio had returned to Minneapolis without telling his father. I’d have preferred to spend the day with Val and the kids, but as Capo, I couldn’t let problems get out of control. Maybe I needed to have a word with Orazio. The conflict between Giovanni and him affected their work and Val, both of which were unacceptable.
“Dante, good to hear from you,” Pietro said. “Are Leonas and Val home?”
It was easy to understand why Ines was so happy with him. He was one of the most easy-going Made Men I knew, but it didn’t make him any less effective. He’d mastered the art of channeling his dark side. One of the reasons why I admired him.
“Yes, just this morning. I prefer to have them in the mansion right now.”
“Understandable. I’ve been thinking about additional protection for Ines and the kids. Ines isn’t too happy about the prospect of more guards in and around the house though.”
“I doubt Luca will target them, yet caution is certainly advisable.”
“I assume you didn’t call to tell me about Leonas and Val. Are there any new developments with the photos?”
“Giovanni, Rocco and I are going to make a list with possible spies.”
Pietro was quiet for a moment. “And you want names from me? Or am I one of the suspects?”
It was said in jest but I wondered if Pietro worried about my trust in him. I’d never explicitly told him how much I appreciated his loyalty. He was one of the very last men I’d ever suspect, not only because the consequences would be devastating, if it were the case. It was a choice I’d never want to face. “I trust you, Pietro. Ines trusts you.” It was all I’d say.
Pietro cleared his throat. “Then you want names? You think one of my men might be among the traitors?”
“I hope it’s only one rat. And I don’t have any of your men in particular in mind. Orazio has been in contact with many soldiers who worked closely with the Famiglia over the years. I’d like a word with him.”
“I’m sure he can give you a list of people who got along too well with Famiglia soldiers. But…” He hesitated. “…why are you calling me? Orazio has been in Chicago for two weeks and so far he hasn’t returned to Minneapolis. Giovanni told me he’d have to help with the lab for another week. Don’t you think Orazio is going to visit Leonas and Val?”
“Giovanni had a fight with him, so I assumed he returned without a word.”
“Oh, well, he hasn’t called me yet. I’ll let you know if he shows up here. Maybe he just needed some time to calm down. Doesn’t he know Leonas was born?”
My suspicious nature reared its head, but I pushed it down. “Val sent him a text message. He congratulated her but hasn’t called or showed up. Maybe he wants to avoid Giovanni and plans a surprise visit later today or tomorrow.”
“Maybe,” Pietro said. “Giovanni gave him a hard time because of that girl of his. But he broke it off so many years ago I thought he’d have made peace with him by now.”
“They tolerate each other at best,” I said. I hadn’t gotten involved in their family matters. Giovanni had wanted to keep the thing hush-hush, I hadn’t told anyone but Pietro because I valued his input. Valentina and I hadn’t even been married yet when things between Orazio and the girl happened, and I’d been in mourning then.
Pietro sighed. “You don’t think…?”
He didn’t voice what I didn’t want to consider. “He’s a good soldier and family. Orazio would never betray the Outfit.” It was a fact I had to trust in because the alternative was absolutely unacceptable.
“He is.”
But he’d also worked very closely with the Famiglia during his time in Cleveland, and he’d talked a long time with Matteo at Val’s and my wedding. I shoved the thought aside.
“He’s family, and family sometimes fights. He’ll come around. Giovanni can be difficult.”
I stared at the photo frame on my desk with a photo of Val, Anna, and me during a day at the Great Lakes last summer. Val had the same photo on her desk in her office upstairs as well as a photo of our wider family, including Orazio. She’d tried to intensify their contact and they had talked on the phone at least once a month. Since Anna’s birth, Orazio had even visited every other month. Val loved her brother even if they weren’t as close as she wanted.
If Orazio was the traitor…
My chest tightened considering what I’d have to do. I wouldn’t hesitate to kill him. I would question him personally. It would be cowardly not to do so, and even if I didn’t do it with my own hands, Val would be devastated all the same. Could she live with it? Could she forgive me if I killed her brother? And what about Livia?
“I’m sure he’ll surprise you in the afternoon.”
“Let’s hope so.” My voice was steel but my insides were an all-consuming inferno.
Valentina
After breakfast the next day, Leonas was asleep beside me on the couch while I read a picture book with Anna who was curled up against my side. She’d hardly left my side since Mamma and Papa had brought her home yesterday. I could tell that she was worried I wouldn’t have time for her anymore now that Leonas was born. Stroking her hair, I flipped the page and continued reading.