“We’re not really sure,” Delia Campagnone sent her husband a floundering look. “She’s been gone for over two months now. We talk to her occasionally but even then, the chats are only about five minutes. Your mother would know more.”
“Stow?” Gabriel called to his brother from down the hall.
Stone reached out to bid the couple farewell with handshakes. He was frowning while the Campagnones walked away.
“Stow-”
“What’s goin’ on, Grek?” Stone leaned in to put an absent kiss to his brother’s cheek. “I gotta go,” he said.
“Well, wait up-”
“If you’re lookin’ for Ari, he’s in my office.”
“I’m not lookin’ for Ari, I came to see you,” Gabriel called out to his brother’s back. Stone made his way down the hall at a rapid walk.
Exasperated, Gabriel went to Stone’s office where he found Aaron and Pitch with their heads together. They appeared to be reviewing papers covering the desk. Gabriel slammed the door shut and they turned.
“What’s up Grek-?”
“What’s goin’ on with Stone?” Gabriel cut into Pitch’s greeting.
Aaron and Pitch traded tense looks. There weren’t many answers they were prepared to give.
“What’s wrong, Gabriel?” Aaron queried.
“What’s wrong? Did you see him just now?” Gabriel hiked a thumb over his shoulder.
“Heading to the john?” Pitch asked.
Gabriel’s gaze leveled out to a glare. “You’re really not going to tell me?”
Aaron sighed and waved toward Stone’s desk. “There’s not much we can say right now-”
“Fuck that, Ari, I’m not talkin’ about business.”
Realization appeared to hit Aaron and Pitch at once. The looks they traded that time were all too telling.
“You assholes know what’s goin’ on with him. What’s really going on?” Gabriel’s voice was a whisper, his vivid eyes were accusing.
“You need to talk to Stone about whatever you think is going on.” Aaron’s voice was quiet, measured.
“He’s my brother too, Ari.”
“Then, you won’t come down on us for not wanting to talk about him behind his back, will you?”
Gabriel shook his head. “Fuck you both.”
“Gabe!”
“Grek!”
Aaron and Pitch called to their brother in unison. Gabriel ignored them and walked out.
~19~
“Knock, knock.”
Athena looked up from the sketches she surveyed. Her violet eyes widened with happiness when she found Stone in her doorway. “My love,” forgetting the sketches, she stood and went to greet her son with open arms.
Stone dutifully supplied his mother with a hug and cheek kiss.
“Something’s wrong,” Athena noted when he pulled away.
“I saw Rubius and Delia Campagnone a few minutes ago.”
“How are they?” Athena was suddenly occupied with surveying the wide belt on her plum colored dress.
“Other than not really knowing what’s going on with their daughter, they’re fine.”
Athena returned to her desk where she absently shuffled through the items littering it.
Stone watched his mother closely. “Where’s Rosella? I assume you know, having taken her under your wing.”
“That’s right. She’s a sharp girl. She’ll make a fine addition to my team. It’s not like she has a husband to take issue with her working.”
“But you did your best to make that happen, didn’t you?” Stone waited for Athena to meet his eyes before he went on. “What happened that night? I don’t remember much after dinner.”
“Well I wasn’t there!” Athena blurted with a laugh. “I left with the servers.”
