Chapter 17 - The Cost of Telling the Truth
Investigations moved at the speed of interviews, subpoenas, missing records, and people deciding whether they were willing to testify. Summer came before the workers learned that state labor officials had identified substantial payroll violations. They were told the amount recoverable and the timing of payment still had to be resolved.
Nico was charged in connection with current extortion and financial offenses after investigators obtained records and witness statements. His attorney denied the allegations. The charges were not a verdict, and the old fire remained under review. School security footage had helped investigators connect the man who approached Owen to a Pierpoint contractor, though the precise extent of the intimidation was still being examined. Lila made herself remember that distinction even when strangers congratulated her for “putting him away.”
Curtis admitted in a negotiated civil agreement that the register accusation against Lila had been false and that payroll deductions had been improper. He faced financial penalties and personal debts. He did not regain the diner. He also stopped pretending fear had absolved him of responsibility.
Sal was not charged at that stage, but investigators continued examining his role in the lending operations and the old settlement practices. He submitted to additional interviews and stopped drawing income from Pierpoint while its accounts were reviewed. Through counsel, he placed a substantial portion of his own accessible funds into a restitution arrangement that did not require workers to drop claims or stay silent.
It was not clean or quick. It did not rescue his reputation. He also began selling off holdings tied to the collection business, subject to legal restrictions, knowing he might lose much of the wealth that had defined him.
Lila visited the closed diner one last time with Ray and Tasha. The chrome counter was dull beneath dust, and the coffee carafe sat on a shelf without a burner beneath it.
“Some developer will put in a place that sells sixteen-dollar toast,” Ray said.
“Don't give them ideas,” Tasha answered.
They laughed, then stood in silence. So much of their lives had been measured in shifts here: birthdays worked, sick days missed, tips tucked into envelopes marked RENT.
Lila took her old name tag from her pocket. She had kept it after Curtis suspended her, uncertain whether it represented what she had lost or what she refused to lose.
Tasha gave her a gentle nudge. “There's an opening at the worker center for a full-time coordinator. Dina asked if I'd tell you.”
“Really?”
“You'd have to listen to other people all day,” Ray said. “It'll be good for you.”
Lila laughed harder this time. He was right.
That evening Sal sent a message: Owen says his orchestra concert is next Friday. May I come?
She turned to her brother. “Did you invite him?”
May you like
Owen shrugged. “I said he could ask you.”
Lila typed, Yes. Buy a ticket like everyone else.
