Chapter 4: The Secret Hidden Beneath Pier Seventeen
Gabriel DeLorenzo had built his reputation on one principle.
Never trust a stranger.
For thirty years, that rule had kept him alive.
But it had not protected him from family.
He stood inside his Manhattan office, staring at the photograph of his uncle Dominic on the wall.
Dominic had taught him how to negotiate.
How to recognize a lie.
How to survive in a world where weakness could be fatal.
And now a wounded warehouse employee had connected Dominic’s name to a deliberate act of sabotage.
Anthony entered.
“We checked the six containers Madison flagged.”
Gabriel turned.
“And?”
“Officially, they were carrying medical imaging equipment.”
“Unofficially?”
“Three were empty when they arrived. The other three were transferred to a private vessel at Pier Seventeen.”
“Who authorized the transfer?”
Anthony hesitated.
“Dominic.”
Gabriel closed his eyes.
Pier Seventeen had belonged to the DeLorenzo family for nearly sixty years.
It was also the location where Matteo had died.
Twelve years earlier.
Gabriel opened his eyes.
“Get me everything from Matteo’s investigation.”
Anthony frowned.
“Boss, you think they’re connected?”
“I think we’ve been looking at two accidents that may not have been accidents.”
Meanwhile, Madison was recovering under Dr. Marquez’s supervision.
The treatment helped.
The pain had not disappeared, but for the first time in weeks, she could lie comfortably for longer periods.
She was no longer forced to endure an entire shift standing.
Still, fear followed her.
Every unfamiliar footstep made her tense.
Every ringing phone reminded her of Tyler’s death.
That afternoon, Jenna visited.
She brought flowers and a small stuffed bear.
Madison laughed weakly.
“I’m twenty-eight, Jenna.”
“I know. But the bear looked worried about you.”
For a few minutes, everything felt normal.
Then Jenna’s expression changed.
“Madison, there’s something I didn’t tell the police.”
Madison’s smile disappeared.
“What?”
“The night you fell, I saw Raymond in the security office.”
“That doesn’t prove anything.”
“He was arguing with someone on the phone.”
“What did he say?”
Jenna’s hands trembled.
“He said, ‘She found the wrong containers. If Dominic learns she’s still asking questions, he’ll finish this himself.'”
Madison felt sick.
“Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“Because Raymond threatened my son.”
Jenna began crying.
“He knows where we live. He knows which school Michael attends.”
Madison reached for her hand.
“You’re safe here.”
But Jenna shook her head.
“No. You don’t understand.”
She pulled a small USB drive from her purse.
“I copied something before the footage disappeared.”
Madison stared.
“What is it?”
“Part of the loading dock recording.”
“Have you watched it?”
Jenna nodded.
Her face turned pale.
“Madison… you need to see who was there.”
Gabriel arrived thirty minutes later.
They connected the drive to an isolated computer.
The video was grainy.
A timestamp appeared in the corner.
11:42 p.m.
The night before Madison’s fall.
Raymond Cole stood near the inspection platform.
Tyler Brooks crouched beside the railing.
A third man watched them.
Tall.
Silver-haired.
Wearing a dark overcoat.
Dominic DeLorenzo.
Madison covered her mouth.
Then the video captured something else.
Dominic handed Raymond an envelope.
Raymond opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
Madison’s employee identification picture.
Dominic pointed toward the railing.
And although the camera had no audio, his meaning was unmistakable.
Gabriel stared at the screen.
His face became unreadable.
Anthony whispered, “Boss…”
Gabriel raised one hand.
The recording continued.
At 11:49, Dominic walked toward the camera.
For one terrifying moment, his face filled the screen.
Then he looked directly into the lens.
And smiled.
The footage went black.
Gabriel stood completely still.
Madison whispered, “He knew the camera was recording.”
Gabriel nodded.
“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t he destroy it?”
Gabriel looked at her.
“Because he wanted someone to find it.”
His phone rang.
The screen displayed a familiar name.
UNCLE DOMINIC.
Gabriel answered.
Dominic’s voice was warm.
“Gabriel, my boy. I hear you’ve been asking questions.”
Gabriel said nothing.
Dominic chuckled.
“Come to Pier Seventeen tonight. Alone.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s time you learned what really happened to your brother.”