*Elio*
I had driven to the meeting place that Alessandro had given me in a rush, my mind running a million miles an hour as I considered what the implications of the warehouse fire were.
“Hey man,” I said as I walked up to Alessandro.
We were meeting in a busy coffee shop, which I had learned from my father was the best way to meet and ensure you wouldn’t be overheard. Meeting somewhere private might feel safe, but it was always possible for a wiretap to be placed somewhere without you knowing. Meeting at random public places ensured that the only way we’d be listened to was if someone tried to listen in person, and at that point, we’d be better able to see them.
“Hey, how are you doing?” Alessandro asked.
“I could be better,” I said honestly.
Looking at him, he looked like he could be better too. When I sat down, I noticed the lines of stress in his face. When I was growing up, Alessandro had always been the cool, fun uncle, even though he wasn’t exactly my uncle.
