Chapter 5 - The Snake in the Garden
The declaration of war at the Moretti summit brought a sudden, violent shift to the city. The truce between the Caruso family and the other four families was permanently shattered.
Within forty-eight hours, three of Lorenzo’s legitimate warehouse facilities in Brooklyn were targeted by arsonists, and two of his senior port managers were arrested by city police captains who had suddenly found "anonymous tips" regarding shipping manifests.
"They're trying to suffocate us legally, Boss," Marco, Lorenzo’s longtime lieutenant, said as they sat in the private study at the Westchester estate. The room was dark, smelling of tobacco and old paper, covered in maps of the city’s shipping terminals. "Moretti has the district attorney in his pocket. They’re preparing a RICO indictment against the logistics firm. If they freeze our bank accounts, we won't be able to pay the dock workers by Friday."
Sarah stood near the window, holding a cup of tea, her eyes tracking Leo and Toby as they played a game of catch with a football on the lawn below. She had become the operational anchor of the house, her medical background allowing her to organize the estate’s security schedules and supply lines with a meticulous, clinical efficiency.
"The district attorney isn't working for Moretti out of loyalty, Marco," Sarah said, turning away from the window. "He's working for him because of his son."
Lorenzo looked up from his ledger, his gray eyes fixing on her. "What do you know about DA Albright, Sarah?"
"When I worked the late shift at the Pierre, Albright used to host private fundraisers in the penthouse suite," Sarah explained, walking over to the desk. "His son, Julian, is a severe gambling addict. Two months ago, Julian lost three hundred thousand dollars at an illegal underground casino in Chinatown—a casino owned by Don Moretti’s nephew. Moretti bought the debt. He owns the DA because he owns his son’s life."
Lorenzo’s expression turned into a mask of pure steel. He stood up, walking around the desk until he stood directly in front of her. "Where is the ledger for that casino, Sarah?"
"The casino uses a digital server hidden in the back room of a dry-cleaning business on Canal Street," she said, her heart hammering against her ribs as Lorenzo’s proximity sent a strange, intoxicating warmth through her veins. "I used to deliver catering orders there. The manager keeps the password written inside an old cookbook in the kitchen."
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Lorenzo reached out, his large, scarred hand gently cupping the side of her face, his thumb tracing the soft line of her jaw. "You are a remarkable woman, Sarah Caruso. You have given me more ammunition in three minutes than my entire intelligence network found in three months."
"I told you, Lorenzo," she whispered, her eyes locking onto his gray ones. "People don't notice the help. But the help notices everything."
