“Exactly.”
“Those surgical photos you’re referring to are actually from an autopsy. Med students often work with cadavers to familiarize themselves with the body’s inner workings. You’re curious about this, are you?”
“I am.”
Ophion laughed. “I’ll make a doctor of you yet!”
“No need,” Humphrey laughed then too. “I’m not interested in being a doctor. Far from it.”
“I see. You just want to get your hands dirty, then.”
“Sort of.”
“Then I should warn you-cutting into a dead body won’t do the trick for long. It’ll only fan the fever.”
“Let me worry about that, Ophion.”
“Very well. Then start planning your next trip to Chicago and I’ll get you your surgery.”
The chat ended soon after. Once the receiver was returned to its cradle, Humphrey resumed his obsessive viewing of Jude Ophion’s disturbing file.
~44~
Roman thanked the host who’d escorted him to his father’s table and then he set down the folder he’d brought along.
Liam stood, greeting his son with a firm handshake and warm hug before they took their seats. The two stared at each other for a while and then Liam reached in to cup his son’s cheek. He held the pose just shy of 15 seconds and then nodded as if he’d found what he was looking for.
“There you are,” Liam whispered. “I thought I was losing you, boy.”
“Never, Sir.”
“You barely responded during the meeting about Emilio.”
“It was pretty shocking stuff, Dad.”
“And yet none of it looked like it was getting through to you,” Liam didn’t press for a response on the subject. “Vic told me you met someone in Chicago,” he smoothly switched tact.
Roman’s jaw clenched, the muscle there twitching noticeably. “Pitch needs to keep his mouth shut,” he rubbed at his neck, agitated. “It was nothing, Pop. Over before it started. It didn’t even start.”
Liam settled back on his chair, observing his son as though he knew there was a lot more the younger man refused to share. “So I guess talking about her isn’t why you wanted to have lunch here today?”
Roman cleared his throat and scooted his chair closer to the table. “No Sir, um, no it’s not.”
Roman had been the one to invite his father to lunch that day. They met at the museum where Liam had taken Roman and Vale a few months ago to discuss their roles at Tesano. Jeez, had it only been a few months? Roman marveled in silence. He could still remember the way Imani looked in that gallery, what she was wearing the day he first saw her. Quickly, he shut down the memory. Just in time, for the waiter was arriving for their orders.
“Charles, I think we’re fine with our water for now. Roman?” Liam looked to his son for confirmation. Roman’s nod, sent the museum waiter on his way.
“So what’s this about, Ro?”
Roman pushed the file across the table. “Someone sent that to me in Chicago,” he said while Liam opened the folder.
“Someone?” Liam studied the photos of the Tesano security guards.
“I was interested in what the guards do. Day to day duties, stuff like that,” Roman explained. “It didn’t take long to get the feeling they weren’t being treated very fairly.”
“What gave you that impression?”
“A few of the guards. They wouldn’t say much, but I’d keep an eye on Roger Hale and Pete Gibney-they work out of the Chicago factory managing the guards for Guards’ Home.”
“And the guards you spoke with? They put together this file?”
“I’m not sure-Pete Gibney seemed a little more willing to share details...could’ve been him. Most of what’s in that folder I could’ve found on my own, but I don’t know how long it would’ve taken for me to look in the direction the file pointed me in.”
Liam flipped through the folder’s contents and quietly cursed his brother. If what he saw was to be believed, Emilio was having their guards moonlighting as hitmen. A job that had already gotten some of them killed.
“You boys think I’m some kind of genius with figuring things out, I’ve got nothing on Emilio... always ten steps ahead,” Liam murmured.
“Dad?”
“Emilio provided a useful service here,” Liam bumped a fist against the file. “He stays neutral supplying any organization who asks with armed muscle while he stands on the sidelines and reaps reward in all directions. He’s got dirt on everyone-no one would dare call him out. No one would really care so long as the right people got disposed of. This is good work, Ro.”
“Not good enough, Sir. Men are dead.”
“So what do you suggest we do?”
Roman seemed surprised that his father wanted his counsel. “Let P be involved, very involved with the guards. He’s already got a rapport with them. They like him-trust him. Might be good to let him make the rounds at our other factories. Especially to guys like Gibney and Hale-the Guards’ Home folk. Let ‘em know things are changing. They don’t like it, they can go.”
Liam looked impressed. “You’ve thought about this.”
