Chapter 7

Dawn succumbed to the sunrise and Ellis remained sitting on her doorstep, waiting for a miracle. A miracle that would be her brother turning the corner and slowly walking towards her, already hunched with shoulders in anticipation of Ellis Barker's lecture on responsibility and punctuality. Ellis let the tears in the corners of her eyes flow as her mind showed her the familiar scene of her brothers.

Then the brown-haired girl wiped her face and stood up. Staying there was too torturous and she needed to do something, anything.

She went inside and decided to clean all the rooms while she waited... Waited for Officer Smith's patrol, or for Ezio's boss, who would undoubtedly send a response that was not the one Ellis longed for.

The house was completely clean by noon and still no Officer Smith or Ezio's boss, leaving Ellis worried. She turned on the television to try to distract herself, but was not prepared for the news that came next:

"Body parts were found stuck in one of the pillars of the Brooklyn Bridge. The police are on the scene trying to identify the remains." reported the black reporter at the beginning of the bridge, while the police closed off access to the area. "Connecting the region to Manhattan Island, the bridge is one of the main postcards of the city..."

Ellis turned off the television in shock. Ezio had probably spread her brother's remains throughout the neighborhood. The expression of concern dissipated from her face and was replaced only by hatred. If Ezio anticipated what he would do, now she would just have to take him to hell. Him and anyone who got in her way.

***

The police station was in chaos when Ellis arrived. Officers were moving around in complete despair. It was no surprise. For years, a body had not appeared on the Brooklyn Bridge, and the mayor would surely launch a witch hunt behind justice for the lack of patrol in the area. However, none of that mattered to Ellis. She only sought revenge for her brother, and the only one who could help her was Smith, who was sitting at his desk making countless calls since the body was found. He was in the middle of one when he stopped to see Ellis Barker approaching with the look of someone who had stayed up all night, but at the same time with determination.

"Miss Barker, what are you doing here?" Smith asked before putting the phone down. "Where is Jason?"

"Officer Smith, I'm here because I need to talk about Jason," Ellis began slowly, still standing. She controlled the tears that were stuck in her throat while trying to talk about last night. "Jason..."

"Smith, come!" The Commissioner called, coming out of his office and gesturing to the officer.

"Yes, sir," Smith agreed, getting up. He stared at Ellis, who seemed to be asking for help, and then said as he put on the top of his uniform, "Stay here, and I'll attend to you shortly, Miss Barker."

Ellis simply nodded and watched as Smith walked towards the Commissioner, who held him by the back and led him into his office.

"You know, this is a terrible place for you to talk about your brother," a male voice made Ellis turn quickly, startled. Smith's place was taken by a man with short black hair, dramatic brown eyes, and a well-groomed beard. He even reminded Ellis a bit of someone she already knew, but she couldn't remember.

"How do you know about my brother?" Ellis asked, raising her torso towards the man. "What do you know about him? Tell me, or I'll call Smith..."

"What I know is that your brother is alive," the man revealed, receiving a relieved look from Ellis. He lit a cigarette and continued, "And for him to stay that way, you must leave the station now and get into the black car parked on the other side of the street."

"What?" Ellis questioned, not understanding.

"Go now, Miss Barker," the man ordered, getting up from the table.

He passed by Ellis, gave her a smile, and then continued walking towards Smith, who was already leaving the Commissioner's office. The young woman watched the two men talking, and then when she noticed that Smith was looking at her, she began walking towards the station's door.

"Miss Barker!" Smith called, walking towards the young woman who started to speed up. "Miss Barker!"

He continued walking towards the exit, passing between the tables until he reached the door, which he opened with all his might, and all he saw was Ellis crossing the street in a hurry. The officer was already opening his lips to call her again when he saw her get into the black car that sped away.

***

The black glass prevented Ellis from identifying who was driving the car heading west on Blake Avenue towards Manhattan. It was the most distressing thirty minutes for Ellis so far, and she was completely regretful of agreeing to get into that car.

Until she saw through the car window that they parked in front of Carbone, a sophisticated restaurant in Greenwich Village. The place was so exclusive that to reserve a table, the customer had to do it 30 days in advance. And she knew this precisely because of a terrible first date she had at that place with an idiot who made a point of throwing it in her face when he demanded they go to a more intimate place after the meal.

"Asshole," Ellis whispered, watching the car door open. Her expression was taken over by surprise at the male figure that appeared. "You?"

"Welcome, Miss Barker," Rocco said, opening the door for her.

***

Rocco led Ellis through the main dining room with tiles reminiscent of the various restaurants depicted in mafia movies, towards the best table in the place, where two men in tuxedos were conversing. Ellis remembered the one who was sitting very well.

"Grazie mille per averci dato questo tavolo dell'ultimo minuto, Mario. So che il tuo ristorante è affollato. In ogni caso, ho avuto bisogno di pranzare con la mia fidanzata," Vittorio said to the standing man.

"Always at your service, Don Vittorio," Mario replied, shaking Amorielle's hand before walking towards other tables and greeting his clients.

Vittorio gazed at Ellis, who was standing, looking at the man who was probably responsible for everything.

"Please, sit down, Miss Barker," Vittorio requested, extending his hand towards the chair with a heart-shaped back in front of her.

Without waiting for Ellis's response, Rocco pulled the chair and pushed the young woman by the shoulders, forcing her to sit without any care.

"Hey!" Ellis protested as she was pushed with the chair and all towards the table.

"You're welcome," Rocco said, then stepped away from their table.

"What a way to treat a guest," Ellis said, annoyed, to Vittorio.

"Excuse me, but it was you who requested this meeting..." Vittorio argued while appreciating the antipasti on the table: salami; bread; oily cauliflower giardiniera sprinkled with pepper; and fist-sized pieces of parmesan.

"Where is my brother?" Ellis asked, angry and wanting to throw everything she had on the table at Vittorio's face. "What did you do with him?"

"Miss Barker, in my family, we do not discuss business during meals. It's not appropriate," Vittorio explained, wiping the corner of his mouth with his napkin. "Come, serve yourself."

"I'm not hungry," Ellis rebutted, refusing the food. "Where is my brother?"

"Don't lie to me. I know you must be hungry... When was the last time you ate?" Vittorio asked thoughtfully. Ellis realized it wasn't really a question directed at her, with what came next: "Ah yes, yesterday's breakfast before going to the bank..."

"Where is my brother?" Ellis repeated, sternly.

"I wonder how you're still standing, Miss Barker," Vittorio said before biting into a piece of bread with salami on top.

"Please, tell me where Jason is?" Ellis pleaded, serious.

"A regular human being needs to eat at least three meals a day..." Vittorio continued to explain, ignoring Ellis's words.

"Where the fuck is my brother?" Ellis shouted, banging the table.

"What does that mean?" asked Ellis, without caring.

"Once a boss, always a boss," replied Vittorio. "My great-grandmother was a head chef in a restaurant in northern Italy. My great-grandfather adapted his wife's motto into his business and it became: Un débito non pagato sarà per sempre un debito... An unpaid debt will always be a debt. And someone in the family will always have to collect it."

"So, after two years, you decided to collect my brother's debt, or else kill him, is that it?" questioned Ellis, irritated.

"One moment, Miss Barker," requested Vittorio, who nodded slightly at Caesar.

Quickly, everyone, customers, employees, and even Vittorio's security guards left the room. Ellis watched the commotion, frightened. In all those years, she had never witnessed what a simple nod of the head could do, especially when it came from someone so powerful. And the man in front of her, who was finishing his coffee, was a powerful man. Vittorio smiled at Ellis and then continued:

"Now, Miss Barker, we will talk business."