“Two suitcases? Do we know what the money was for?”
Matteo shakes his head.
“Well, then, I think I need to have a chat with him.”
Matteo gives me a wink. “I’ll wait here until you give me the word. Do what you need to do. Go get the bastard.”
The first guard opens the door and I step across the threshold ready to make Elio pay.
Rust, mildew, and rot fill my nostrils. The damp air clings to my skin as my boots echo against the cracked concrete. Wooden beams stretch across the low ceiling thick with cobwebs. Brick walls are chipped and rust decorates the busted pipes.
On the far side of the room stands the boiler. It’s massive with corroded pipes branching out the top. Next to it a battered navy tank leans in the corner. Dents puncture the sides. An old fuse box clings to the wall covered in dust. A single flickering bulb casts crazy shadows around the space. Everything in the room is tinged in amber and decay.
Beneath the light is a chair bolted to the concrete floor.
Elio sits in it.
His wrists are zip-tied to the arms of the chair and his ankles are bound to the legs.
His head jerks up when the door slams behind me.
A faint plum-colored bruise blooms beneath the skin of his cheek like a rotten spot on fruit. A shallow cut slices through the center of his lip.
Obviously the results of the car accident.
Matteo did good.
It’s a start.
But it’s not enough.
“Elio, Elio, Elio…” I fold my arms and glare at him.
“Cipriani why the fuck am I here?” Elio snarls.
This motherfucker. He’s really going to play dumb with me.
“You’re here because Gigi is missing. Where is she?”
He glares at me. “I don’t know.”
Now this motherfucker is going to play confused. Why did I leave my gun at home? All these attacks against my family have me going soft. I’ll show his ass.
Glancing around the room I catch sight of a rusted pipe wrench near the boiler. It’s about as long as my forearm. Walking over I snatch it up.
“She was last seen in your presence.” My fingers curl around the metal. “Which means you were responsible for her safety. She’s missing and you’re at fault.”
“I didn’t see her today. We went out yesterday.”
“Elio, don’t play dumb with me.”
“You’re going to look dumb when I press charges against you for kidnapping,” Elio huffs.
I step forward and slam the wrench into the back chair leg. The sound of metal against metal is deafening.
“How are you going to press charges if you’re dead?” I snarl.
His eyes widen for a moment.
