14 The Codex

Stanley could see that he had screwed up. The timing aligned perfectly for his demise. Just as he lost Bambi, they learn that Bambi was the target. What is this if not his ill-fate?

"This is good… Now Paul Romano will do everything to find Mellissa," he said trying to let Tony see the silver lining of the situation. He didn't want to die.

Randy agreed with Stanley. They've tried with all their resources to find where they are and it was not going anywhere. Paul Romano is much more well-connected. "You can join hands with Romano~"

"Join hands?" Tony scoffed. "Do not stop looking for Mellissa and Andrew. There are only a few who would dare to butcher Andrew Romano's wife. Start there."

"You can talk to Paul, you b@Stard!" Randy started but was ignored by everyone in the room.

"If they want Bambi, could this be about The Codex?" Henry Arletta asked. "It can't be the ones who tried to kill her last night. So, there are two groups?"

Codex is believed to be the secret ledger Don DeAngelo had that recorded all his dealings with every powerful man in the city. Many believed it was true although Don DeAngelo never mentioned its existence. Some believed it was with the eldest daughter as she inherited everything her father owned.

It is possible that's why she was kidnapped with her husband.

But the rumors were that Bambi was the one who had that secret ledger. No one knows what the truth was. But that myth was enough to rattle the peace of those who dealt with Don DeAngelo in the past.

It was one of the reasons the girls' lives were in constant danger. But this time it seems like someone wants the content of the ledger. And he is willing to go to any lengths to get that ledger.

Tony let out a deep sigh. But there was a trace of danger in his eyes. "There is no codex, Henry. And yes, the one who wants Bambi alive must think she has it. We'll have to find them soon. Time is running out. And check out the safety of the baby."

"Where are you going?" Randy tried to ask Tony who was already one foot out of the door.

Tony didn't answer him and slammed the door shut. Randy started cursing. "What if it is him?" Randy asked Henry.

Henry took charge. "Let's not lose our minds now, Randy. I'll ask our men to have one another look at the warehouses owned by Sterling. I heard he was talking to Inada's people lately. Time's running out for the elder miss."

Randy agreed. They don't have much time. "I'll keep an eye on the baby."

-----

Marcella wanted to punch the seat. She's been sitting in the traffic for almost an hour and the car had just moved five blocks.

There was construction work going on in the side and she didn't think walking would make any difference. After waiting for another half an hour without any improvement, she decided to walk.

Paying for the taxi, she got out. Her head started to spin as she hadn't eaten anything for a long time. Her wound started to hurt again.

She didn't even manage to walk a block when she was stopped by a cop.

"Are you Marcella DeAngelo?" The cop asked.

Marcella was confused as to what she should answer. She checked his uniform and badge. It looked legit. He must be a real cop.

But why was she stopped?

Before she could answer, the cop got her purse from her hand while shouting at her to comply. She was thrown on the ground and was handcuffed. The next moment, she was thrown inside the back of the patrol car and was driven out.

"Where are you taking me?" Marcella shouted. She tried to get out of the handcuffs, but she couldn't.

"Where were you going to?" the cop asked.

"Why should I tell you?" she asked back. She forgot the golden rule that she should not answer a cop without a lawyer present. She was too stressed to think straight.

The cop shrugged. "You don't have to. But we received information that you were going to kill Paul Romano. We will have to investigate you."

'Kill Paul Romano? Are you crazy? Paul Romano is my sister's father-in-law. My sister's missing and~"

"Stop shouting, Lady!" The cop interjected her. "Did you go to the 63rd precinct calling yourself Don DeAngelo's daughter? You've been called out on your lies. You have two IDs in your purse. Having a fraudulent ID alone is enough for us to book you. So, shut up."

Marcella leaned back dejectedly. She knew she was screwed. She did not change her name legally. That wouldn't have done anything to save her if her name change was recorded. She just got a fake ID with a new name. She doesn't usually carry her original ID with her and the one day she did, she got caught.

The cop brought her to the nearest percent and took her straight to the holding cell.

"Can I get a call?" She asked but no one answered her. She sat on the dirty bench that doubled as a bed with her hands on her head.

She didn't know what to do. She felt like she hit a wall and all she could do was to worry about her sister.

-----

Tony watched as Marcella was brought inside the precinct. Sipping the coffee, he thanked the captain.

"That was fast, Captain..." Tony passed a roll of hundred-dollar bills under the table to the captain. "That one... I want her safely locked up for the night. Remember, not even a scratch on her. I want no records of her being there," Tony said.

The captain nodded with a smile as he stuffed the thick roll inside his pant pockets.

Tony walked out of the diner.

She cannot meet Paul Romano. The Codex must be protected at all costs.