Death Logs In by E.J. Simon Read Free Book Online Page B

enough but first I’m going to need you to help me find out exactly whom I need to get to in the Vatican.”
    “You mean the person pulling the strings? I already told you about Lovallo and Petrucceli.”
    “No, someone higher than that.”“Like the Pope?”
    “Preferably not the Pope. But you’re getting closer.”
    “So, we’re going to show Sharkey that artificial intelligence is better than no intelligence.”
    “Yes, if my plan works, Sharkey and his protectors will be in for a big surprise.”
    “By the way, you should be loading your own personal stuff onto an artificial intelligence software program because, at this rate, I’m going to outlive you—and I’ll be talking to myself here.”
    “That’s an interesting thought. I wonder, do you even exist if I disappear and no one else knows about you? It’s a scary thought, isn’t it?”
    Alex laughed, then turned solemn. “You have no idea.”

Chapter 13

    Chapter 13
    Westport, Connecticut

    S amantha Nicholas was an enigma to all but her very closest friends, who numbered no more than three. Yet that in itself was a mystery to those who knew her. It was a mystery to her too.
    She was smart, a graduate of NYU, fluent in French, and had a good head for business. Before her marriage, Samantha had been a legend in the cutthroat world of high-end Manhattan real estate, using her intelligence, calm manner and astute evaluation of people to navigate successfully through the eccentric and egomaniacal personalities.
    She was in great shape and, although in her mid-forties, could easily pass for someone ten years younger. She had a solid marriage for over twenty years, a successful husband and a beautiful and sensitive daughter, Sofia, in her second year at Notre Dame.
    Angie and Fletcher Fanelli, in their early forties, were Michael and Samantha’s closest friends, two tough and spirited characters with a young baby daughter.
    Fletcher, the police chief of W estport, Connecticut, was one of the few people Michael could confide in as he moved from the strictly straight and narrow world of Gibraltar Financial to his brother’s revitalized illegal business, now known as Tartarus. Fletcher could be trusted to be there when Michael needed him—and keep things to himself, leaving even Angie in the dark.
    Samantha and Angie sat at a table in the cozy back room of Mario’s. Samantha looked around; the restaurant, an institution in Westport, was filled with its usual combination of laid-back “townies” and the suit-and-tie commuter crowd returning from Manhattan.
    “Michael loves this place. I swear I think sometimes he actually dreams about the meatballs. He says he’ll never forget the day Tiger took him into the kitchen one afternoon to show him the meatballs simmering in the tomato sauce. I think they had to carry him out.”
    Angie laughed, “Well, Michael’s the only person I know who remembers every meal he’s ever had.”
    Once Angie and Samantha had polished off their first bottle of champagne and dispensed with the chitchat, Samantha turned somber.
    “Something’s happened to Michael.” she said. “It all started when his brother was murdered. Donna, Alex’s widow, pushed Michael to get involved, just to clean up Alex’s affairs and that sort of thing. Up until then, he’d always steered clear of anything having to do with his brother’s affairs. But I’m afraid once he got a taste of Alex’s life, he liked it. He liked it too much.”
    “What exactly does that mean, Samantha?”
    “I’m not sure exactly. We always talked about everything. We shared everything with each other. Not anymore. Michael’s running Gibraltar—how, I can’t imagine—but he’s still doing that and not only heading up his brother’s business but expanding it. With everything going on now, I hardly ever see him.”
    “Oh, Samantha.” Angie said.
    “Wait, there’s more. But, Angie, I’m not supposed to tell this to anyone.”
    “Samantha, I know I can