Chapter 3 - The Secret AllianceThe atmosphere in the private study downstairs was thick with the rich aroma of black coffee and impending violence.
I sat behind my executive desk, watching Khloe as she nervously sipped from a porcelain mug. She had washed her face and straightened her skirt, but the exhaustion etched into her features remained undeniable.
“Paulie is the one who brought your brother’s name into this,” I said, my voice cutting through the quiet room like a razor.
Khloe’s eyes widened. “Paulie? But he’s your right-hand man. He’s been with you for ten years.”
“Ten years means nothing when greed enters the equation,” I replied coldly, tapping my finger against the polished wood of the desk. “Marcus Vance, our primary competitor on the North Side, has been buying off my lieutenants one by one to force a hostile takeover of the shipping lanes. Paulie took Vance’s money to funnel fake manifests through your office, betting that you would take the blame when the feds raided us.”
A slow, cold fury settled over Khloe’s features. The meek, trembling girl who hid behind her computer screens seemed to evaporate, replaced by someone sharp, calculating, and dangerously angry.
“So what do we do?” she asked, her voice steady. “If Paulie realizes I didn't file the doctored manifests, he’ll know we’re onto him. He’ll come after Leo.”
“Let him try,” I said, standing up and walking over to the locked wall safe behind my desk. I spun the dial, pulled out a heavy black case, and set it on the table. I popped the latches, revealing a sleek, customized Beretta pistol and two spare magazines.
I slid the case toward her.
Khloe stared at the weapon as if it were a venomous snake. “Mr. Costa... I don't know how to shoot a gun.”
“Then it’s a good thing you have the best boss in Chicago to teach you,” I replied, leaning against the desk. “Starting today, you aren't just my secretary, Khloe. You’re my partner in this audit. We are going to let Paulie think his plan is working all the way up until the city council meeting at seven tonight. And then, we’re going to audit the traitors permanently.”
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Khloe looked from the gun up to my face. A slow, fierce determination kindled in her dark eyes. She reached out, her fingers resting lightly on the edge of the metal case.
“All right,” she whispered. “Let’s balance the books.”
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