Chapter 10 - Dawn Over Philadelphia
The first rays of amber sunlight broke over the Delaware River, painting the Philadelphia skyline in sharp, brilliant shades of gold and crimson.
Down on Walnut Street, the morning rush was just beginning to stir. Commuters hurried past Bellini’s Trattoria, unaware of the violence that had rattled its walls less than twenty-four hours earlier. The front windows had been neatly repaired, the broken glass swept away, and the sign on the door flipped to show a welcoming glow.
Inside, the kitchen was already warm. The smell of fresh espresso, roasting garlic, and baking bread filled the air.
Nora Vance stood behind the counter in her crisp white blouse and clean black apron, wiping down the espresso machine with a cotton cloth. Her movements were calm, steady, and completely unhurried.
The front door chimed.
Nora looked up.
Dominic Arlen walked in, wearing his charcoal suit, his silver-streaked hair neat, looking as though he hadn't spent the entire night dismantling a multi-million-dollar criminal enterprise and delivering a federal fugitive to the doorstep of the FBI field office.
He slid onto a stool at the end of the counter, resting his elbows on the polished wood.
“Morning, Captain,” Dominic said, a faint, amused smile playing on his lips. “Word on the street is that Cal Vale’s entire shipping empire was seized by federal marshals an hour ago. The morning papers are calling it the biggest corruption scandal in state history.”
Nora didn't stop wiping the machine. She gave him a sidelong glance, her expression unreadable. “And what are they saying about the mysterious anonymous tip that led the feds straight to Vale’s offshore accounts?”
“They’re saying it was a miracle,” Dominic replied smoothly. “Or perhaps just a very thorough auditor.”
Nora set the cloth down, poured a fresh shot of espresso into a small ceramic cup, and slid it across the counter toward him.
“You know, Dominic,” Nora said quietly, leaning against the back counter and crossing her arms. “For a mob boss, you’re surprisingly good at paperwork.”
May you like
Dominic picked up the cup, took a slow sip, and smiled.
“I told you, Nora,” he said, his dark eyes sparkling with quiet amusement. “In this city, if you want a ghost to stay buried... you have to help her write a new ending.”
