Page 80 of Code Name: Grit

Ranger nodded as the display changed to show surveillance footage from after the explosion. “We’ve confirmed Rafael Patriarca escaped with minimal injury,” he continued. “Cassio Belcastro, likewise, made it out safely. Giovanni was arrested. He was transported to an infirmary but remains in custody.”

“And the men who pursued us during extraction?” I asked.

“Giovanni’s loyalists,” Tank interjected. “Two who’ve been with him since he joined the family business. They were operating against Rafael’s explicit orders. Both also in custody.”

Admiral took over, his expression grim. “That brings us to the most significant development.” He nodded to Alice, who transferred a new set of files to the central display.

“Two days ago, we received this briefing from Ethan Keller,” she explained, her voice steady and professional. “Tex and I have reviewed it.” She pointed at the screen where Tex had been patched in via video. “I’ve reviewed it. He analyzed it.”

Tex chuckled, then took over. “It details a joint operation between the Department of Justice and two crime families—the Belcastros and Patriarcas—dating back nearly seven years.”

The display filled with documents, surveillance photos, financial records, and encrypted communications—all pointing to an unprecedented collaboration.

“The mission, known as Operation Transition,” said Alice, “was designed to gradually shift both families away from violent crime, human trafficking, and drug distribution into legitimate businesses while maintaining the appearance of traditional mob activities.”

I stared at the evidence, struggling to reconcile it with what I’d witnessed. “Why? And why wasn’t Dante informed?”

Admiral looked to Dante, who’d remained uncharacteristically quiet throughout the briefing.

“Same reason as few people as possible knew about my undercover work,” Dante said simply.

“Rafael and Cassio both recognized the changing landscape,” Tex explained. “Traditional mob operations were becoming increasingly difficult to sustain with advanced surveillance and financial tracking. Keller approached them separately with a proposal—transition their organizations over time, or face eventual destruction through prosecution.”

“And they agreed?” I asked skeptically.

“Not immediately,” Alice replied. “But both had personal reasons to consider it. Rafael’s grandson was diagnosed with leukemia six years ago. The experience changed his perspective on legacy. Cassio had lost someone close to him years ago and was reassessing his legacy as well.”

Dragon interjected, “The authentication checks out on all the documentation. Encryption signatures match known DOJ protocols. Either this is real, or it’s the most sophisticated fabrication we’ve ever encountered.”

I felt Lumi shift beside me, her expression steeled.

“So the apparent takeover of Castellano territory…” she began.

“Was largely staged,” Alice confirmed. “The Belcastros would appear to expand aggressively, but much of their ‘criminal’ activity was an elaborate ruse—fake crime scenes,empty warehouses, shipments that never contained what they appeared to.”

“The weapons at the shipping terminal?” I asked.

“Props,” Tank said. “High-quality replicas. The real shipment contained medical equipment for children’s hospitals, disguised as contraband.”

The revelation left me speechless. Everything we’d been investigating, the conflict we’d been preparing to disrupt—it had all been an elaborate facade.

“What about the FBI agents on Belcastro’s payroll?” I asked when I found my voice. “The judges? The payoffs we documented?”

“Some were genuine corruption that Keller was documenting for eventual prosecution,” said Tex. “Others were part of the undercover op—agents and officials who appeared compromised but were actually helping maintain the illusion while gathering evidence on genuine criminal elements both within these two organizations and with other families.”

“With the end goal being?” I asked.

“It would be naive to think mafia-type criminals will ever go away entirely,” said Dante. “We do the best we can to get rid of as many as possible.”

“Giovanni wasn’t part of this,” I stated rather than asked.

“No,” Ranger confirmed. “He knew nothing about it. Rafael knew he’d fight against it, maybe even try to take control of the family. Not that he ever would’ve had the backing to do it.”

I looked at Lumi, who was lost in thought.

“What about the message warning the Belcastros about the Patriarcas’ interest in her?” I asked, motioning to the woman I knew I’d give my life for. I almost had, and I’d do it again.

“Keller,” Alice responded. “We’re still not sure what exactly he knew.”

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