“That’s what the reconnaissance is for.”
The meeting continues for another hour. We go over logistics, backup plans, extraction routes. Viktor asks questions that seem reasonable on the surface but dig for specifics I’m not ready to share.
Specifics about how we found the location. About who provided the information. About what else we might know.
By the time everyone files out, my suspicion has hardened into certainty. Something is wrong with Viktor. I just need to figure out what.
I stop Marco before he leaves. “My office. Now.”
We wait until everyone else is gone, then I close the door and activate the white noise generator that prevents anyone from listening in.
“Viktor’s been asking too many questions,” I say without preamble.
Marco’s expression doesn’t change, but I see the understanding in his eyes. “You think he’s compromised.”
“I think he’s been acting strange for weeks. Hovering around Scarlett’s memory sessions. Pushing too hard for information. Positioning himself near exits during meetings.”
“Could just be stress. We’re all on edge right now.”
“Maybe. Or maybe he’s got reasons for wanting to know what Scarlett remembers.” I lean against my desk. “I need you to dig into his communications. Financial transactions. Anything from the past six months that might show contact with the other families.”
“That’s going to take time. And if he finds out?—”
“Then be careful. Use external resources if you have to. But I need to know if my second-in-command has been selling us out.”
Marco nods slowly. “I’ll get on it. Anything specific I should look for?”
“The Marchetti family. Antonio’s relatives. Anyone with a vested interest in finding that ledger before we do.”
“You think they flipped him?”
“I think someone got to him. Whether it’s the Marchettis or another family, I don’t know. But my gut says he’s dirty.”
“Your gut’s kept us alive this long.” Marco heads for the door. “I’ll have answers by tonight.”
He leaves and I’m alone with my thoughts and the growing rage building in my chest.
If Viktor has been feeding information to my enemies, if he’s been working against me while pretending loyalty, if he’s put Scarlett and Luca in danger?—
I’ll kill him myself. Slowly. While he begs for mercy I won’t give.
The day drags on with painful slowness, I almost lose my mind. I go through the tasks of running my organization. Make calls. Review reports. Handle the dozen small fires that always need attention.
But my mind keeps zoning back to Viktor. I couldn’t wait for Marco’s feedback.
Marco sends me an encrypted message at six p.m.Found something. Coming to you.
He arrives twenty minutes later with a tablet and an expression that tells me I’m not going to like what he’s found.
“Viktor’s been in contact with a Marchetti.” Marco pulls up bank records and encrypted message logs. “Antonio’s distant cousin. She runs what’s left of the Marchetti operations in Jersey.”
I take the tablet and scroll through the evidence. Wire transfers. Meeting locations. Coded messages that don’t hide their meaning well enough.
Viktor has been selling information to the Marchettis for far longer than six months. Since before Scarlett even called me.
“He’s been waiting,” I say quietly. “Feeding them intelligence about my operations, my security, my movements. Waiting for the ledger to surface so he could deliver it to them.”
“Looks that way. The most recent message was this morning. After your meeting.” Marco points to a text that makes my bloodrun cold. “Cathedral confirmed. Will retrieve once location is verified and deliver as agreed.”
