The Mafia Boss’s Dog Refused to Leave the Little Girl’s Coffin—Then They Heard Something Inside

Tony had vanished during the evacuation.

Raines had taken him through the same tunnels we were searching.

The meeting point was an abandoned courthouse annex in Queens, scheduled for demolition the next morning. I went alone as ordered.

Bruno followed from half a block away despite the bandage on his shoulder. I pretended not to notice.

Raines waited in the old courtroom. Tony sat in the witness chair with his hands tied. Victor Harlan stood beside the judge's bench.

"This room fits you," Harlan said. "A criminal asking justice for help."

"You are not justice."

Raines raised his gun. "Neither are you."

He had buried Carlo's evidence, altered Elena's crash report, and warned Enzo whenever police came close. In return, Account 17 paid his gambling debts and bought his house.

"Why frame me?" I asked.

"Because your name scares juries," Raines said. "No one asks whether the monster signed the paperwork himself."

Tony looked at me. "Carlo found proof. Raines killed him before Enzo's crew arrived."

Raines struck him.

Bruno growled from the hallway.

Harlan spun toward the sound.

I moved.

The first shot hit the wooden judge's bench. Tony kicked Raines's knee. I drove Harlan into the jury rail. Bruno charged through the doorway and seized Raines's coat, dragging his aim away from Tony.

Brooks and federal agents entered through the rear doors.

Harlan fired at the ceiling, shattered a light, and escaped through a records passage.

Raines surrendered after Brooks aimed directly at his chest.

"Nine years," she said. "Nine years I trusted you."

He smiled. "You still trust the wrong people."

Agents recovered the stolen ledger drive from his pocket.

The files were intact except for one deleted folder.

Technicians restored its title.

PROJECT LANTERN.

Inside was a schedule for a final shipment leaving that night.

Twenty-four children.

Departure point: La Estrella restaurant.