Chapter 4 - The Waitress Who Knew Too Much
The next morning, Dom wanted Nema to remain inside.
Nema lasted forty-three minutes.
"I need clothes."
"We'll buy clothes."
"I need my clothes."
"You can buy new ones."
She stared at him.
"Do you solve every problem by throwing money at it?"
"Problems rarely complain."
"I do."
"I noticed."
Eventually, Dom agreed to take her to her apartment.
Vincent drove.
Two additional cars followed.
Nema looked behind them.
"This is subtle."
"I'm not trying to be subtle."
When they reached her building, the front door was open.
Nema stopped.
"I locked that."
Dom moved ahead of her.
"Stay here."
"My apartment—"
"Stay."
He and Vincent went upstairs.
Five minutes later, Dom returned.
His expression told her everything.
"What did he do?"
"Nema."
She pushed past him.
Her apartment had been destroyed.
Mattress cut open.
Drawers dumped.
Plates shattered.
Photographs torn.
Nema stood silently.
Then she saw the framed photograph of her mother smashed on the floor.
She knelt.
Dom crouched beside her.
"Don't touch the glass."
Nema picked up the photograph carefully.
"He had no right."
"No."
"This wasn't about finding something."
"No."
"He wanted me to see it."
"Yes."
Nema looked at Dom.
"Then let's stop hiding."
His eyes narrowed.
"What are you suggesting?"
"Tommy thinks I'm scared."
"You are."
"Of course I'm scared."
She stood.
"But he's counting on it."
Dom followed.
"Nema."
"He called me because he wants a reaction."
"Correct."
"So give him one."
Dom stared at her.
Then he understood.
"No."
"You haven't even heard the plan."
"No."
"Dom—"
"Absolutely not."
Nema smiled slightly.
"You're getting predictable."
Two hours later, they were arguing in Dom's office.
"We leak that I'm going back to work."
"No."
"Tommy hears about it."
"No."
"He comes after me."
"No."
"Your vocabulary is incredible."
Dom slammed his palm onto the desk.
"I'm not using you as bait."
"I volunteered."
"That doesn't improve it."
Nema stepped closer.
"How many more people does Tommy hurt while you're waiting?"
Dom said nothing.
"He knows your habits," she continued. "Your people. Your businesses. But he underestimates me."
"Because you're a waitress?"
"Exactly."
Dom looked at her for a long moment.
Finally:
"If we do this, you follow every instruction."
Nema smiled.
"That's not really my strength."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
That night, Frank's reopened.
Nema stood behind the counter.
Vincent was in the kitchen.
Dom's men occupied vehicles outside.
Dom himself sat in the same booth from the night of the poisoning.
Nema brought him coffee.
"Black?"
"Very funny."
She placed it down.
"Relax."
"I'm relaxed."
"You look like you're considering murdering the furniture."
Dom looked toward the door.
"Tommy won't come."
"Why?"
"He's a coward."
The bell rang.
A man entered.
Not Tommy.
He placed an envelope on the counter.
"For Nema."
Then walked out.
Nema opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
Dom's mother leaving church.
On the back:
You chose the wrong family.
Dom stood.
Nema caught his arm.
"Don't."
"He's threatening my mother."
"That's what he wants."
Dom's jaw tightened.
Nema looked at the photograph again.
Then noticed something.
"Wait."
"What?"
"The reflection."
In the church window behind Lucia was a neon sign.
Dom leaned closer.
Nema recognized it.
"I know that place."
"Where?"
"Old Riverside Laundry."
"Closed five years ago."
"Exactly."
May you like
Nema looked at him.
"Tommy just told us where he is."
