Chapter 4 - Feeding the Wire
The next afternoon, Matteo walked into his private study. Camilla was down the hall, choosing floral arrangements for the wedding. He closed the heavy oak doors, walked over to his desk, and pulled the silver transmitter from the lead-lined pouch. He carefully taped it back inside the vintage globe and left it slightly ajar to activate it.
He picked up his desk phone and dialed Dante’s extension.
"Dante," Matteo said, projecting his voice clearly so the bug would pick it up perfectly. "The Palermo shipment arrives Thursday at midnight. Pier 42. It’s carrying fifty million in uncut diamonds and the new weapons cache. I'm leaving the pier lightly guarded. I don't want to draw police attention."
"Understood, Boss," Dante replied on the other end, fully aware of the ruse. "Should I send the usual detail?"
"No. Just a skeleton crew. It’s too valuable to make a scene. Keep it quiet."
Matteo hung up the phone. He stared at the globe, knowing the Morettis were listening on the other end, drooling over the prospect of a fifty-million-dollar score and a crippling blow to the Rossi empire.
He walked out into the hallway and found Camilla staring blankly at a catalog of white orchids. She looked pale, carrying the weight of the world on her delicate shoulders.
Matteo walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. "Everything okay, my love?"
May you like
She flinched slightly before leaning back into his embrace. "Yes. Just wedding stress."
"Don't worry," Matteo whispered against her neck, his eyes cold and focused. "By Thursday, all our problems will be permanently resolved."
