Page 28 of Gary

Gray eyes clashed before his uncle backed down. “He developed an infection. Bad enough to have him go into distress. The nurse called 911 and then called me. The stubborn cuss wanted to see you, refused to go to the hospital. I guess he thought he was dying.”

Taking his coffee over to the lineup of chairs against the wall, he sat. “Isn’t he?”

“The new treatment seemed to be working out, but…,” Graham lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “We’ll just wait and see.”

“Ready to tell me yet?”

“No.” He took a sip of the coffee and grimaced. “I have been doing some serious thinking.”

“This should be interesting.”

Ignoring the sarcasm, Gary plunged on. “It seems I am stuck here. The Moretti family has done decades of damages. If I am going to be instrumental in turning things around, there has to be drastic changes.”

“We have already started on that. The casinos – or the interests in them were dissolved. The clubs are respectable ones and doing very well. We are in fact a legitimate business.”

“Charity?”

Graham nodded. “We are involved in several.”

“I am not talking about simply writing a check. That’s damn easy.”

“You mean, actively involved.”

“Yes. The family who were displaced and affected by the family’s nefarious carrying on. Children who suffered consequences.” He took a sip of the brew.

“I recall Uncle George and the old man talking about the ‘old neighborhood’ and what they did to smoke people out. I am assuming they meant it in the literal sense. The family did not take kindly to being opposed. I am also assuming there were records.”

Graham nodded. “There should be. What are you thinking?”

“We find those records, get the names and set up trusts, try and make amends to the families affected. I want to start with that children’s home in the downtown area that was forced to close because Moretti’s wanted the property to make low-income apartments.”

“It never happened.”

Gary stared at him with a frown. “Why? The last thing I remember was Uncle George heading the committee to get rid of it.”

“He was killed soon after.”

“And the property?”

“Remains as it was.”

Gary simply stared at him. “Jesus!” Putting the cup down, he rubbed his palms over his thighs slowly. “So, all of that was for nothing? What happened to the occupants?”

“Sent to other institutions.”

“Good God. Is it any wonder I don’t want to be a part of this family?” He had to tamp down his anger. “We own the deed?”

“Yes.”

“And it’s just sitting there? Why haven’t you done anything about it?”

“Because I had limited say in the matter and had my hands full.” His uncle’s expression had turned hostile. “I really do not appreciate your tone.”

“Well excuse me for my extreme disgust. Those children were uprooted from the only home they knew because Moretti’s wanted to build apartments and now the bloody building is just there, rotting. God!” He blew out a breath and wondered if he should just pack his bags and leave.

What was he going to tell Sadie? “Oh, by the way, I am Gary Moretti. You have probably heard of the family? Yes, we were into murder and mayhem and cheating people out of their livelihood.” He could just imagine her expression and disgust.

“Do you want me to apologize?”