I wonder why he continues his criminal activities when he clearly doesn’t need to.
Is it a game to him? Or is it duty to La Corona? Would there be any situation in which he’d leave and choose a straight and narrow path?
This is dangerous territory. Finding the humanity in Dom makes it harder to remember what he is. What he's done. What he represents.
I think about what he said about my father’s death and how he doesn’t think his father is involved.
The mafia doesn’t seem to have a moral code about not killing cops. Instead, he suggested it brought too much attention.
I’ve read my father’s file so many times, I have memorized it. I can recall every detail, every witness statement, the ballistics reports, and crime scene photos.
Back then, I'd been so certain a Vitale, most likely Aldo, had ordered the hit. It was the foundation that drove me to move into the Organized Crime unit at the FBI and fueled my determination to bring the Vitale family to justice.
But what if I've been wrong all these years? After all, I’ve not found anything solid against Aldo or Dom.
Dom's certainty that his family wasn't responsible nags at me. He didn't hesitate or calculate his response.
It came naturally, with the confidence of truth.
And now the little tidbits of information that didn’t fit in my father's case stand out.
Inconsistencies in the timeline, a mysterious car reported near our house days before the shooting, calls my father received that made him pace the kitchen with a furrowed brow.
I’d ignored these, after all, all cases are a bit messy. And my boss was on the same page as I was. Blackwood has always supported my theories. Encouraged me to stick with the Vitale case even as it fizzled.
Several times Dom has hinted, even suggested, that there’s corruption at the FBI. But I’d be a fool to let a known criminal cause me to doubt my own colleagues.
Perhaps that’s his goal.
He joked with me that I was using sex to get information but perhaps he’s the one running a honey trap.
I rub my temples. God, please don’t let that be true.
When I arrive at work, I do my damnedest to push away everything that happened last night and focus on my job.
"Agent Ricci," Blackwood calls from his office doorway.
I have a moment of panic. What if he knows about me and Dom? But then I remember he’s the one who suggested I run a honey trap.
The idea of using sex in my job is revolting. I’m not sure I can use it as an excuse and still feel like I can keep my dignity.
When I get to his office, he gestures to the chair across from his desk. "Close the door behind you."
My stomach drops. His tone is casual, but there's an edge to it that puts me on alert. I settle into the chair, crossing my legs to stop my knee from bouncing nervously.
"Where are we with the Vitale case?" he asks, shuffling through papers without looking up.
I haven’t been working on it for two weeks as I’ve been investigating Rocco’s kidnapping and Mrs. Ferraza’s murder, both without his knowledge.
"Still gathering evidence," I lie, hating myself for it. "His legitimate businesses are airtight."
Blackwood's eyes snap to mine. "I'm hearing you've been asking questions about the Ferraza woman's murder. And Rocco Monti's kidnapping. Care to explain why you're digging into cold cases instead of focusing on bringing down Vitale?"
My pulse quickens. How does he know? I haven't filed any official reports on those inquiries.
"Actually, sir, it's all connected to Vitale," I improvise, my mind scrambling to put together a reasonable argument for my investigations. "I believe these incidents reveal a pattern that could help us build our case against him."
Blackwood leans back, studying me. "Explain."
