“Gunner, Striker, and Tackle are with Ripa.”
“Doing what?”
“‘Recovering the originals.’”
“Where are they?”
“Closer than you think.”
“Meaning?”
“He’s saying that he hid them in the wine caves here on the estate.”
“What happens next?”
“If Ripa is telling the truth and the originals are here, hidden at Valentini, then we have Emsworth’s permission to make a deal with the ’Ndrangheta.”
“To do what?”
“Give them something more valuable than what they lost.”
“The originals?”
“For the forged painting sold to the don. If necessary, two. You know Gunner, he won’t let them get away with more than that.”
“What’s going to happen to him?”
“Ripa?” Doc rubbed the back of his neck with his hand; I’d known him long enough to recognize his tell. “Less than probably should.”
“Meaning?”
“If he makes restitution to the remaining victims, it’s likely he won’t get as much jail time.”
“Does he have the money to do that?”
“We’ll see, but my guess is that Richard Emsworth will figure out a way to get as much of it to go away as possible.”
“I saw them together. Tara cares about him. I don’t think she knew he was her brother, though.”
Doc nodded and walked back inside.
27
Tara
“How are you feeling?” asked Quinn.
Heartbroken. “Fine.”
“Headache?” Aine asked.
“Pretty much gone.”
“Are you hungry?” asked Ava.
“Not really.”
“Sad?” Pen asked.