Page 112 of Secret Baby for the Mafia Don

I feel a chill at his knowledge of my father's condition. How many people has Blackwood talked to? How deep does this conspiracy go?

“What do you even have on Marco? If you’re planning on getting everything you need from me, you’ll need to give me better terms.”

“You’re a lawyer. You understand how this works. We have a great deal of information about Calabresi. We just need a bit more to convict him.”

“You’re asking me to commit what amounts to treason in my world without showing me what evidence you actually have against Marco?”

I lean forward, lowering my voice. "Show me what you have. Concrete evidence that Marco is plotting against my father. Not theories, not suspicions. Proof."

Frustration flickers across Blackwood's face. "If I had that level of evidence, Ms. Monti, I wouldn't need your help."

“I’m not going to do your job for you. You said before that I’m not the only person you’ve spoken to. Surely, whoever else you’re talking to has given you something.”

He glances around the café, and I wonder if he’s suspicious of me.

If he’s worried the Mafia is about to burst in and kill him ala Michael Corleone inThe Godfather.

It doesn’t work like that anymore.

The Mafia is more subtle now.

It works in the shadows, which is why Agent Blackwood is having difficulty putting Marco away.

“I have patterns, suspicious financial movements, testimonies from low-level associates that point to Calabresi's intentions. But nothing that would stand up in court."

Blackwood’s statement tells me he is fishing, lacking the solid evidence needed for a case against Marco.

"So you want me to fill in the blanks," I say, letting disappointment color my voice. "To give you what you can't get yourself."

"I want to stop Calabresi before he destroys your family," Blackwood insists. "Your father doesn't have a lot of time, and your brother is clearly not interested in helping."

I don’t for one minute believe he’s concerned about my family, but I go along with the ruse.

I take a deep breath, shifting my posture to appear more vulnerable. “You’re asking a lot of me, Agent Blackwood. If Marco… if anyone in La Corona knew I was talking to you…” I glance nervously around the café for effect.

“I can protect you.”

Inwardly, I roll my eyes, but I act like I believe him. “Don Calabresi has been having private meetings with three of my father's captains."

I lower my voice conspiratorially. “They think no one knows, but I overheard them discussing territory redistribution after what they called 'the transition'."

“Who?”

I sit back and shake my head. “I can’t risk this…”

“You’re doing great, Ms. Monti. Your father would be proud at what you’re willing to risk to protect his business.” He waits a beat, but I don’t answer. “What is this ‘transition’?”

“Marco has slowly had his men infiltrating my father’s business under the guise of helping.” I shake my head, acting angry that Marco would do such a thing. “That includes vendors, accounts… all of it. They’ve got offshore accounts where they’re stockpiling funds. They’re renegotiating contracts, taking business from my father.”

I watch Blackwood's eyes. There's a flash of excitement he quickly suppresses. Still, I know he’s taking the bait.

"Did you hear any specifics about these accounts?"

"Just one number." I recite the sequence Roman created, a false account that will lead to a shell company. "They're planning something for after Christmas. Marco said the new year would bring 'new leadership' to the Monti family. There’s not much time, Agent Blackwood."

"This is extremely valuable, Ms. Monti." Blackwood's voice remains measured, but I sense his eagerness. "Is there anything else you've noticed? Any other names mentioned?"

"They talked about someone named 'The Architect'. I think they’re overseeing everything." I watch his reaction closely. "Does that mean anything to you?"