Page 77

I raise my eyebrow.
It's been a few days since the fire, and the police has been working together with the fire department to get to the bottom of the situation. This meeting was set to update me on their progress.
"The fire was no accident—it’s arson."
"Mr. Marchetti, do you know who might be behind this?" the police chief asks.
I exchange a knowing look with Marcel, who's also present at the meeting.
"Our guess is that Mr. Silvano Salvatore might have something to do with it."
The police chief nods, not seeming surprised. Knowing Silvano and his penchant for trouble, he probably already knows him well enough.
"I can see that as a probability, but we need more than just an assumption to file criminal charges."
"I am afraid that speculation is all we have at this point."
"We will continue investigating it, but until we have proof, our hands are tied." The police chief frowns. "But rest assured, Mr. Marchetti, we are on your side and will not rest till this gets resolved."
I exit the meeting feeling frustrated still. Silvano is a criminal hiding in plain sight, and there's nothing we can do about it.
"Sir, we should talk about the..." Marcel follows me out of the meeting room.
"Not now, Marcel. I have something I need to do first."
It might be the anger simmering in my veins or just my impatience, but I decide to take matters into my own hands.
I drive over to Silvano's office, which is close by.
His guards stop me once they see my car.
"Where is he?" I bark, looking around. "Tell him I’m here to see him."
"I’m sorry, sir. But unless you have an appointment, we—"
"Let him through," a familiar voice comes up from behind us.
Silvano must have seen my car pull up in the driveway.
"Well, well, well. I didn't expect you to show your face around here so soon. Have you finally come to your senses about the property agreement?"
I march over to him, squaring him up.
It doesn't matter that I'm on his territory and his guards are armed with heavy weapons just inches away from me. This is personal, and I am not about to back down like a coward.
"There is no agreement," I bark. "I've come here to warn you."
"Warn me?" His gaze flashes with a smugness I want nothing more than to knock off with my fists.
"Don't you have other things to worry about at the moment? My condolences, by the way, about your poor vineyard burning down."
"Drop the act. I know it was you who’s behind it."
His eyes widen, feigning innocence. "Me? But why would I ever do such a thing?"
"You're the only one capable of stooping this low. All I need to do is prove that, and you're done for."
His maniacal laughter fills the air between us. "I wish you the best of luck trying to pull that off. It'll be nothing short of a miracle."