Maya turned back to the Sicilian.
He asked one more question.
She answered in his language, then faced Laurent.
“He wants to know where the item described in the agreement is.”
Laurent stared at her.
“What item?”
Maya looked back at the document.
The wording was intentionally vague, but a reference number appeared beside the clause.
She repeated it.
Laurent’s face changed again.
There.
Not confusion.
Recognition.
The boss saw it too.
He leaned back in his chair.
Until that moment, he had been the only person at the table who seemed completely unhurried.
Now even that stillness looked deliberate, as though he had finally reached the part of the conversation he expected.
Laurent tried a different approach.
“This is clearly some misunderstanding.”
Maya said nothing.
“I deal with dozens of vendors, private parties, special arrangements.
That reference could mean anything.”
The Sicilian spoke.
Maya translated.
“He says then you won’t mind showing him the record.”
Laurent’s eyes moved toward the office corridor.
It was quick.
Barely a glance.
But six people at the table saw it.
So did Maya.
The boss stood.
The five men rose with him.
The movement sent a wave through the dining room.
Chairs shifted.
Someone near the front whispered a frightened question.
Rick took one step backward.
The Sicilian left the pistol on the table.
That surprised Maya most.
He pointed toward the office corridor and spoke to her.
She translated.
“He wants you to come with him and translate.”
Laurent shook his head.
“Absolutely not.
Employees are not permitted in my office.”
Maya looked at him.
“I’ve been in your office dozens of times.”
“To drop receipts.
Not to interfere with management.”
The Sicilian asked what Laurent had said.
Maya translated.
The boss looked at Laurent for several long seconds.
Then he sat back down.
Everyone else remained standing until he lifted one finger.
They sat.
He said something to Maya.
She frowned.
