Marco nods. “Maybe we should consider this a part of the coordinated effort against us.”
“It would be easier if we knew who was behind the effort,” Luca says. “This always playing defense is getting fucking annoying.”
“We’ve been sifting through person after person, all of whom are gone except one,” I say. “Blackwood.” I know Roman has zeroed in on Blackwood from the beginning, but others have been less sure. I get it.
It’s one thing to go after people like us.
Going after the FBI is a whole other deal.
Even if we killed Blackwood, the vengeance it would set upon us would be great. It turns out cops aren’t that different from mafia when it comes to revenge.
“Have you learned anything from Agent Ricci?” Marco asks. “She let anything slip about her boss?
I shake my head.
“Yeah, well, I don’t like her poking around Isabella.” Roman’s face contorts into disgust and for a moment, I worry he might decide it’s worth taking out a federal agent.
My hands ball into fists as an overwhelming feeling of protectiveness over Olivia fills me.
“Her father was reasonable, do you think she can be turned?” Leo asks.
I shake my head. “She believes in justice. Even for us. She’s a true believer. Not naïve, but definitely idealistic.”
“I don’t know about that.” Roman’s continues to hold its venom.
“Do you know something,” I say, hoping I don’t sound defensive.
“Actually, since we’re here, Roman uncovered something regarding Rocco’s kidnapping.” Marco nods to Roman to proceed.
Luca straightens. “And you haven’t told me?—”
“I just finished compiling it all this morning,” Roman says. “It’s taken a great deal of time and…influence, to get this.”
Influence could be money or coercion at the end of Roman’s bat. He’s effective at both.
“The Winter Festival venue doesn’t have much in the way of cameras,” Roman starts.
The lack of surveillance is one reason we like the place for La Corona outings.
But for Rocco, it hindered finding his kidnapper.
“But I’ve finally been able to find the vehicle that took Rocco from the Winter Festival to Brooklyn.” Roman sets a series of photos on the table. “We knew where he was taken and where Agent Ricci picked him up. We worked out the various routes the kidnapper could take and then started getting traffic camera footage.” He sets a map on the table. “This is the route, but that is less important than this.” He sets a close-up shot on a license plate. “This is an FBI-issued SUV." Roman's eyes are cold steel. "Registered to the New York field office."
“Holy fuck,” Luca says, staring at the vehicle. “Jesus, you can see Rocco’s head here.” He points to another photo.
“Amazing work, Roman,” I say, and I mean it. I can’t imagine how much time and effort it took him. “I don’t think we can ignore anymore that Blackwood or someone in the FBI is behind this.”
“I think we need to consider Agent Ricci, as well.” Roman slips another picture onto the table. This time it’s Olivia in her vehicle. The date stamp is the day she found Rocco. “This is thevehicle she was driving the day she brought Rocco to the diner to return him to Elena. Notice the plate.”
My stomach drops and when I look at Roman, I’m sure my face gives away my shock. “It’s the same vehicle.”
He nods. “They’re assigned vehicles. I’ve confirmed it’s hers.”
My mind is reeling. Have I really been fucking…been losing my mind over a woman behind Rocco’s kidnapping?
It takes a moment, but my brain begins to re-engage. “She’s not this stupid.” I snatch the photo from Luca. “Plus, we know Santa delivered Rocco to a man.”
There is silence and when I look up all eyes are on me. “What?” I snarl.
