Tony’s expression did not change.

“How is my cousin?” he asked.

“His room was empty,” I said. “There was blood on the sheets.”

Tony sighed and shook his head.

“The hospital is a dangerous place these days,” he said. “People get desperate.”

“You took him,” I said.

“Marcus was weak,” Tony said. “He wanted to talk to the authorities. I had to protect the family.”

“By killing my nephew?”

“By doing what you did not have the stomach to do,” Tony said.

He stopped a few feet from me.

He smelled of expensive cologne and tobacco.

“The board is behind me, Uncle,” Tony said. “They know you are finished.”

“The board only knows what you tell them,” I said.

“They know you lost the shipping routes,” Tony said. “They know the feds are watching us.”

“They are watching you,” I said.

My phone vibrated in my pocket.

It was two short pulses.

Romano was ready.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the phone.

Tony watched my hand, but he did not try to stop me.

“What is that?” he asked. “A call to your lawyer?”