THE INTERROGATION
The warehouse was eerily silent. Quiet to the extent that even the drop of a pin on the floor, could be heard. The only sound whatsoever in the warehouse was an occasional drip of water from a leaking pipe.
Luca's men stood around in an unintentional circle, all facing one direction: the center. In the center of the room, Rafael Vincenzo sat tied to a metal chair, his face bruised and battered, he struggled to maintain a normal breathing rhythm. His head was bent, and his suit was torn to shreds.
Luca was the last to come into the warehouse. They had all been waiting for him after capturing Rafael where he had gone clubbing in a quiet part of the city. He was seen at the Fezalaro Club, a club that was owned by Lita Romano, Vittorio Moretti's estranged lover. He had refused to leave the club with Luca's men and this sparked a tussle which led to Rico beating him up.
Luca stood still, his aura commanded the room. He looked at Rafael for a moment and looked up at Marco. He didn't expect to see Rafael in that state, at least not yet, but then he knew his men had to do what they could.
'Rafael," Luca said, his voice low and dangerous. 'You have just one chance to tell me the truth, and I am very serious. I will have these men cut you into bits if you don't tell me what you know."
Luca sat down on a table close to where Rafael was tied so he could hear and see him up close.
'You were the only one who knew about the hijack plan and didn't participate in the mission. So now tell me, who sold us out?"
Rafael lifted his head, his eyes heavy with tears and his face looked remorseful. He tried to speak but couldn't find the words. 'Non so nulla di quel fratello maggiore." (I know nothing about that big brother). He said finally amidst tears.
Luca's jaw tightened, he didn't believe him. He motioned to Viktor, who stepped forward with a pair of pliers. The room filled with the sound of Rafael's screams as Viktor went to work on him.
Hours passed, and the men took turns trying to break Rafael. They used every method at their disposal—physical pain, psychological manipulation, even threats against his life, but Rafael still maintained that he knew nothing about the ambush on Marco and his men. He swore he would never do anything to hurt Alessio and would certainly not betray La Mano Nera.
Finally, Luca called a halt. He stepped closer to Rafael, his eyes filled with pity for his brother 'Cosa ti hanno offerto, fratello?" (What did they offer you, brother?) He asked in a low voice, almost whispering, as he slowly bent to face Rafael.
'I didn't do anything Luca," Rafael said while still crying.
Luca picked him up from his seat because at this time, all the leashes used to restrain him to the metal chair were already broken in the heat of the torture.
'If I find out, you are in any way, involved in this, I will kill you myself and I will make it a slow death."
Luca shoved him back into the chair, his frustration boiling over. He turned to his men, his voice sharp. 'Get him out of my sight. Lock him up. And make sure he doesn't talk to anyone."
The men nodded, moving quickly to Rafael and dragged him away. As they left the room, Luca turned to Marco, his expression dark. ' I have a feeling he is innocent. But this isn't over. I want answers, Marco. And I want them now."
Luca paced the room slowly, his mind racing. The interrogation had been a failure, and he had done nothing but waste time and beat up a possibly innocent man who was also his kid brother.
The anonymous call he had received weeks ago…the one offering information about one of his trusted lieutenants suddenly came to him. He had dismissed it the first time it came to him, but now he couldn't shake the feeling that it was connected to everything that had happened.
Marco stood by a window and kept watch, his arms crossed over his chest. He had been quiet since the other men left to place Rafael in a secure place. Luca stopped pacing and turned to him, his eyes narrowing.
'Marco," Luca said, his voice low and dangerous. 'I need you to find out who's behind this. I don't care what it takes. I want answers."
Marco nodded, his expression serious. 'I'll do whatever it takes, capo."
Luca kept quiet for a moment, he scanned Marco for a moment. His gaze stern and Marco was already uncomfortable, and it showed on his face.
Marco instantly knew Luca had something to say to him.
'Was it you" Luca said curtly
'Me that did what? I would not do something like this, and you know it"
'I'm asking about the anonymous call I received, the one that offered information about one of you. Was it you she was talking about?"
Marco's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly recovered. 'No, capo. I would never betray you."
Luca stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. 'Then who was it? Who's the traitor?"
Marco hesitated, his mind racing. He knew Luca was looking for someone to blame, and he would rather not be that person. 'I don't know, capo. But I'll find out. I swear it."
Luca's eyes narrowed, but he didn't press further. Instead, he nodded and turned away. 'You have 48 hours, Marco. Find me the traitor, or you'll be answering to me."
Luca turned around, went to a running tap and washed his hands and left the warehouse.
As Marco left the warehouse alone, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. It was clear to him know that he was Luca's prime suspect for the traitor, and he could be the next person sitting in a metal chair battered and forced to answer questions.
He knew he had to find who had provided information to their rivals, or he would be in huge trouble in no time.
Just then his phone rang out, he picked it out of his pocket and the caller ID showed 'L'unica" (the only one)…
He turned around and looked to see if anyone watched him before he answered the phone…