footage of Vincent’s recent activities.

Then he made one more call.

Detective Maria Santos.

One of the few honest cops left in the city.

“Rocco,” she answered. “This better be important.”

“It is. I need you to document something. Seven families in the Riverside neighborhood have been extorted by someone claiming to work for me.”

“You’re calling the police on your own operation?”

“This wasn’t my operation,” Rocco said. “This was someone stealing my name to hurt families with children. I need records showing they were victims.”

There was a long pause.

“Send me the addresses,” Maria said. “I’ll have social services check on them tomorrow.”

“Already arranged food, medical care, and repairs,” Rocco replied. “But they’ll need protection from retaliation.”

“Rocco… what exactly are you planning?”

“What I should have done the moment someone used my reputation to starve children.”

Vincent arrived exactly 1 hour later.

He carried a thin manila folder and wore the nervous smile of a man hoping he could talk his way out of trouble.