"End of the month," Roman confirmed. "She'll train Peters for the next week, get her up to speed."
I understood the unspoken concern. Accounting wasn't just number-crunching at Donati Enterprises. It was about knowing which numbers to report and which to bury. About understanding which questions not to ask. Macey had been loyal for decades. This new hire was an unknown quantity.
"You think she's a plant?" I asked directly.
Leo's expression remained neutral. "We don't think anything yet. That's why you're watching her."
I nodded, accepting the assignment. "What's my cover?"
"IT security upgrade," Roman said. "You'll install cameras in her office today before she arrives. After that, you'll be the point person for any technical issues she has—gives you a reason to be around the department regularly."
It wasn't the worst assignment I'd been given, but it wasn't what I'd expected for my day. Then again, today had just been security detail for Meredith, who planned to stay in the office anyway. Still, questioning orders wasn't something I planned on doing. Not anymore.
"Understood." I set the tablet down and stood. "I'll get the equipment set up immediately."
Leo pushed off from the wall. "Good. And Jackson? Don't mention this to Meredith. She handles enough of the legitimate side of things without worrying about internal security."
I nodded again. Compartmentalization was standard procedure. "Of course, sir."
Roman handed me a small case containing the surveillance equipment. "Camera feeds will route directly to your phone and to the security office. Audio too."
With that, I was dismissed. Leo left first, then Roman and I walked out together.
"This really necessary?" I asked once we were alone in the hallway.
Roman's face remained impassive. "Better safe than sorry. Last thing we need is someone from one of the other families or the feds getting into our books."
He had a point. After the near-war with the Malatesta family, tensions were still high despite the fragile peace Leo and Fiorenzo Malatesta had negotiated over a year ago. And the feds were always looking for a way in.
I made my way to the accounting department on the third floor. It was still early, the office largely empty except for the cleaning staff and a few early arrivals. The accountingdepartment was tucked away in the back corner, a series of glass-walled offices surrounding a central workspace.
Macey was already there, organizing papers at her desk. At sixty-seven, she moved slower than she once had, but her mind was still sharp. She looked up as I entered, pushing her glasses higher on her nose.
"Jackson Graves in accounting? The world must be ending." Her dry humor hadn't faded with age.
"IT security upgrades," I explained, holding up the case. "Which office is the new hire getting?"
Macey pointed to the smallest office in the corner. "That one. Used to be storage until we cleared it out last week."
I nodded and headed toward it. The office was sparse—just a desk, computer, chair, and filing cabinet. Perfect for what I needed to do.
"So you're really leaving us?" I asked as I began setting up the first camera, disguised as a smoke detector.
Macey sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "Twenty-eight years is long enough, don't you think? My grandkids are growing up, and I'm missing it."
I understood loyalty to the family, but also the pull of real family. Macey had earned her retirement. "I hadn't realized you'd been here for nearly thirty years. The Donatis are lucky to have had you so long."
"Hmph. Sweet-talking me won't get you my parking spot, Graves." But she smiled as she said it. "This new girl seems promising. Her resume is good—degree in accounting, experience at a smaller firm. Young, but that's not always bad."
"You spoke with her?" I asked, placing a second camera in the corner of the room, angled to capture the computer screen.
"Briefly, on the phone. She seemed eager, maybe a bit nervous. But that's normal. First day at a new job is always nerve-wracking." Macey watched me work with mild curiosity."Those cameras standard procedure now? Didn't have that crap back when I started."
"You're older than the internet, remember?" I shot back, earning me a small smile. Macey was one of the few I didn't mind lowering my guard around. She was good people, as were all of them.
"Right, right." She waved a hand dismissively. "None of my business anymore. Soon I'll be just another retiree playing bingo and complaining about my back."
I finished installing the third camera, this one aimed at the door to capture anyone entering or leaving. "Somehow I doubt that."
