“I can’t believe I’m leaving you this message,” Danny says. “It seems so overplayed. I hope that you never have to watch this, and I’ll just keep it at my desk until I get my next big story. But just in case…”
I glance over at Sofia and see that she’s crying. She’s watched this a dozen times already, but it still affects her. Without thinking, I reach over and take her hand. She gives me a sad smile, but nods toward the computer, hoping I’ll pay attention. I do as she asks, shifting my gaze back to her brother.
“You remember I told you I was working on a story,” Danny says. “Well, I found something big. This paper is being run by a man named Carlo Andretti. He’s the biggest shareholder but it’s way more than that. I think he’s using this paper to push for his own agenda. I notice Mr. Harlan pushing down some stories and digging others up unexpectedly. I’ve talked to a few of my colleagues who have similar reservations.”
My radar goes up at the mention of Andretti. He’s been a sworn enemy of my father for years. If he is the owner of Danny’s paper, and Sofia’s by extension, that could be bad. He’s in hiding, but I know he’s still around. This is how he got information about Marlena’s pregnancy. If he has a whole office full of reporters at his disposal, there’s no way we can hide from him.
“I didn’t realize that Harlan was in on it,” Danny says. “I told him everything before I realized it was too late. Now Andretti knows that I’m onto him. I hope I’m wrong, but in case I’m not, I’ve included all my research on this flash drive.”
The message ends with a story about Danny and Sofia as kids. He promises her that she’ll always have the memories of that day, no matter what happens. I sit back to digest the new information as Sofia closes the laptop. She gives me a moment, which I’m grateful for. I have so many questions, I just don’t know where to begin.
“I thought that your father killed my brother,” Sofia says finally, her voice breaking.
I hate that my father is the kind of man who can legitimately be considered a killer. I’ve never seen him kill anyone, but I’m sure he’s done it. In my own work for him, I’ve seen things I don’t ever want to speak of again. So, I can’t fault Sofia for her mistake. And I can’t apologize either.
“My father didn’t do this,” I say. At least I know that, if Andretti was the one under investigation by Sofia's brother, we had no stake in this.
“I know that now,” Sofia says. “He was very kind to me when I went to visit.”
“You mean when you stole his journal?” I snap, unable to keep the acid from my voice. I’m still hurt over what she did, even though I can understand it now.
She gives me a tight smile. “I’m sorry about that.”
I consider everything that’s going on in both of our lives. This is great news. It helps me understand her motivation and explains why she felt she had to use me to get close to my dad. I’m still a little hurt that she went as far as she did, but I can see things from her perspective.
“I did the same thing that my brother did,” Sofia continues. “I told Harlan everything I know.”
“So, you think he’ll send Andretti after you?” I surmise. “Just like he did to your brother.”
“He might if he figures out, I know the truth about my brother,” she concludes.
“All right,” I say, standing up. “Do you mind if I get a glass of water?”
“I don’t have any bottles,” she warns me.
“That’s all right,” I say. “I can drink from the tap.”
I walk over to the kitchen, more to give myself time than anything else. I need to protect her. That’s my overwhelming response. I don’t want her to die the way her brother did, and I think there might be a chance that we could reconstruct some of our earlier relationships. However, I’m not going to be able to do it alone.
I need to convince my family that Sofia is worth protecting. Only with the combined strength of the Corello family can we hope toavoid a sudden death. A few minutes ago, I was ready to nail her coffin shut myself. Now, everything has changed.
I grab a cup from the cabinet and pour myself a glass. I take only a sip before turning to face her. Because her apartment is so small, I can stand in the kitchen and easily have a conversation with her on the couch. I don’t need to shout or move around to make myself heard.
“I think we need to call my father,” I say.
“Do you think he can help?” she asks desperately.
“Yes,” I confirm. “I’m sure he can.”
But instead of my father, I find my finger hovering over Uncle Gio’s contact. I wonder why, considering that my father is the head of the family. But Uncle Gio is more the operations manager. He’s the one who actually goes out on the streets and meets with people and does things. Sure, Dad helps, but mostly what my father does is consolidate the information Gio and his capos give him. Gio is the most direct route to action and that’s what we need right now.
I call him up. “Uncle Gio?”
“Hey, Frankie,” Gio says. “Where are you?”
“Don’t flip out,” I warn him.
“Where are you?” he repeats menacingly.
