As they prepare to leave, Sarah turns to me. "Thank you for dinner. And for your... hospitality."
"My pleasure."
"I'm sure we'll see you again before we leave."
"You can count on it."
The look she gives me says she understands exactly what kind of man I am, even if she can't prove it.
After they're gone, Madison lingers by my side.
"She knows," she says simply. “She knows there’s more to you than what we’re letting on.”
"She suspects."
"What's the difference?" she asks.
"Suspicion without proof is just paranoia."
"And if she finds proof?"
"She won't,” I assure her.
"You sound very certain."
"I am. Only four more days left to go."
"Three,” she corrects me. “They leave Thursday."
"Thank God. Three more days of careful management."
"You mean lying to my best friends."
After she goes upstairs to change clothes, I review the evening's surveillance footage with Emilio.
"The lawyer's dangerous," he says.
"Agreed."
"Want me to handle it?"
"Not yet. She's looking for criminal connections. Make sure she finds dead ends."
"And if she pushes harder?"
"Then we remind her that her friend's safety depends on her discretion."
Emilio nods. "The investigator in Palermo is handled. He'll report that you're a legitimate businessman with minor tax issues from 2018, all resolved."
"That’ll work. Boring enough to be believable."
"The marketing one seems harmless."
"She could be the bigger threat. She posts everything online. One wrong photo could bring unwanted attention."
"I'll have someone monitor her social media."
I pour another whiskey, considering all the variables. Three more days before I can return to running my territory without civilian complications.
