Chapter 12
Jason was deeply asleep as he was observed by Ellis's exhausted eyes. This time, she chose not to go to work or even sleep much so that she could watch over her brother as much as possible. Despite Vittorio Amorielle's promise, she still feared for Jason's life, who was now stretching and waking up from his sound sleep.
"Don't tell me you've been watching me sleep all night?" Jason asked, serious.
"No, not all night," Ellis replied as she handed a mug of coffee to her brother. "Drink up and get ready, because I'm going to drop you off at the community center and then go to the police station."
"What will you do at the police station? Did Smith call or something?" Jason asked, worried.
"I'm going to pick up my car that I left there. And as incredible as it may seem, our phone didn't ring once," Ellis said, getting up. "Maybe he's off duty or something..."
"Or it could be the invisible hand of Don Vittorio already at work. With your involvement, he might have decided to remove Smith from the scene," Jason commented after finishing his coffee. "Smith always showed a lot of interest in him and the others..."
"The others who?" Ellis asked, curious.
"Nothing you need to know," Jason replied, getting up from bed. He walked to his wardrobe and picked a white t-shirt and jeans, then turned to his sister. "And don't forget to break your agreement with Don Vittorio. I don't want you involved in my problems..."
"I'm not going to break anything," Ellis denied, crossing her arms. "I've already said I'm capable of anything to keep you alive, and I'm willing to accept what he has to offer me..."
"Ellis..."
"Now let's go, or I might end up getting a fine for my car," Ellis said, pushing her brother out of the room.
Antonietta was so focused on the guest list for the first dinner hosted by Vittorio as Capo dei Capi that she didn't even notice her son's presence as he entered the living room and sat in front of her.
"Do you need something, my son?" the matriarch asked, raising an eyebrow, curious about the reason for Vittorio's presence.
"I just want to know how the preparations are going for tonight," Vittorio commented, carefully unbuttoning his suit.
"They are perfect. At this moment, I'm reviewing the guest list to make sure I haven't left anyone out," Antonietta explained.
"I need you to add two names..." Vittorio began as Antonietta raised her head, surprised by the request. "Alessio Romano..."
"You want the notary to be present at the dinner? Don't tell me you're going to work..." Antonietta started grumbling about her son's possible behavior. At this point, he is just like his late father. There were countless parties where Marco spent more time locked in his office than actually enjoying them.
"You know the rule: The Mafia always comes first," Vittorio said. "Also, add the name Ellis Barker."
"And who is that? A new associate...?" Antonietta asked, observing her son rise the same way he sat down. "Vittorio?"
"You'll find out at the right moment," Vittorio replied before leaving.
Ellis paid the taxi driver and then got out of the vehicle to walk to her parked car. She approached the car, and as she was about to open the door, a hand forcefully closed it, startling her.
"Good morning, Miss Barker," greeted Smith as he blocked the young woman with his body.
"Good morning, Officer Smith
. I'm here to pick up my vehicle," Ellis replied, attempting to open her door once again without success. "Could you please move out of the way?"
"Sure, but first, I'd like to talk to you. Would you mind coming into the police station?" Smith asked.
"I do mind because I need to go to work," Ellis replied while trying to open the door once again.
"Which one?" Smith asked, pushing the door back with his body.
"Which job? Well... I'm a real estate broker, and I need to go to the agency," Ellis replied, narrowing her eyes. "So...?"
"Ah, of course, the brokerage job," Smith said without taking a step back. "I thought you meant the other job..."
"My waitressing job is at night, Officer," Ellis explained, slightly irritated.
"I see," Smith said thoughtfully. "You're a very busy young woman."
"Thank you for recognizing that... Is there anything else I can help you with?" Ellis asked, not understanding where Smith was going with this. If he dared to mention the phone call, she was ready because the phone didn't ring once.
"I'm wondering how you find time for your other job," Smith said.
"Other job?" Ellis asked, then smiled as she recalled. "Ah, you mean taking care of my brother. I don't see it as a job..."
"Neither do I, and I wasn't referring to him," John denied, causing a wrinkle to appear on Ellis's forehead.
"Sorry, but I don't understand... I only have two jobs," Ellis explained, looking at her watch. "In fact, I'm running late. Could you please excuse me?"
"Sure, but I'm sure you'd like to talk to me about your other job..." Smith said.
"I don't have another job."
"Oh, yes, you do... as a contract killer," John Smith revealed, serious.
"What?" Ellis exclaimed, shocked. "I'm sorry, but have you gone mad?"
"No."
"Look, I really need to go..." Ellis began. "You must be mistaking me for someone else..."
"Touch that door again, and I'll arrest you for double homicide," Smith said.
"Double homicide? What the hell is this?" Ellis asked, raising her arms.
"You are the prime suspect in the murders of Domenico Wild and Luciano 'Lucky' Conti," Smith revealed, making Ellis open her lips in shock. "We are convinced that you were hired to kill them."
"Me? And what evidence do you have?" Ellis asked, angry. "Because I doubt you have any..."
Smith reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a photograph of Ellis leaving Lucky's nightclub.
"I have more evidence, and I can arrest you right now," Smith said.
"Then why don't you arrest me if you have evidence?" Ellis asked.
"I will, unless you tell me what I need to know," Smith replied.
"And what do you want?" Ellis asked, serious.
"I want you to tell me everything about Vittorio Amorielle," Smith revealed.