With the fragmented footage and the purge log in hand, I knew who I needed to see. I met Dante at a discreet downtown cafe, slipping him the small, anonymous USB drive.
He watched the pixelated video on his own secure tablet, his expression unreadable. His eyes, however, seemed to sharpen when the technician appeared on screen, taking Veronica’s furious directions.
“I know him,” Dante said, a low growl in his voice. “Tony ‘The Eraser’ Morello. He’s known for discreet ‘special projects.’ Very thorough.”
A wave of dread washed over me. Veronica hadn’t just used some random tech. She’d hired a specialist in making things disappear, someone from the edges of Dante’s world.
“He cleans up messes,” Dante continued, his gaze still on the screen. “And he’s not cheap. She paid him well to make sure nothing remained.”
Dante then explained the unspoken code of his world. “There’s a network, Maria. Layers of influence, favors, and respect. Morello operates within it. Veronica tried to buy her way out of trouble, thinking she was clever.”
“Can you… reach him?” I asked, a desperate hope rising in me.
He nodded slowly. “Tony owes me a few favors. He understands the importance of certain unwritten rules. Especially when children are involved.”
He closed his tablet. “I’ll arrange a meeting. Somewhere quiet. You’ll get your answers. But be careful, Maria. This is a delicate dance.”
Dante’s contacts provided a new avenue, bridging the gap between Veronica’s corporate ruthlessness and the shadowy world of “special projects.” His insights and access were invaluable, giving us a strategic advantage.
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