Palermo Styles hums under hot towels and bay rum. Don Mario Medeva sits in the barber chair like a judge at sentencing, while Francesco lays the St. Regis trail on the counter where everyone can see it.
Don Mario Medeva
Room 614, a handler, and a ledger. Good. That means this is not Benny’s hunger. It is someone feeding Benny.
Guiermo stands near Francesco’s shoulder, one hand still stained from the chest wound dressing, his eyes fixed on the hotel tag under the lamp. Joey Sagano sits tied hard to the chair, sweat darkening his collar.
Joey Sagano
I told you what I know. I am done. Let me walk away before Mr. D knows I spoke.
Francesco Fontaine
If he is behind this, I want the man, not the rumor.
Don Mario Medeva
Then we use the hotel lead. Quietly. We do not gut the whole city to catch one rat in a suit.
Medeva taps the note once, and the room tightens around that small sound. The path is clear now, from the dock ledger to the St. Regis, to the unseen hand moving against the Corvi.
✓ Quest Accepted
Win Don Mario Medeva’s trust
“I ask Don Mario how he wants this handled”
SUCCESS (Superb Leadership, rolled +2)
Francesco lets the question hang just long enough to show he is waiting for guidance, not forcing it. Don Mario studies the hotel tag, then lifts his gaze to the boy across the counter.
Don Mario Medeva
You handled the trail well. That is the part most men ruin. Now you listen.
The Don’s hand settles flat beside the note, claiming the table as his own without raising his voice. Guiermo stills at Francesco’s shoulder, and even Joey goes quieter in the chair.
Don Mario Medeva
We do not storm the St. Regis. We do not scare a whisper into silence. You go with Lorenzo, you keep your eyes open, and you learn who opens room 614 for Donsen.
Don Mario Medeva
If the man in the room is the one pulling the strings, you bring me proof. If he is only a messenger, you let him lead you to the hand behind him.
He looks from Francesco to the tied Joey, and the corner of his mouth tightens into approval that is almost severe enough to be a blessing.
Don Mario Medeva
You have my confidence for this lead. Do it clean, and I will know you can be trusted with more than errands.
Quest Complete
Win Don Mario Medeva’s trust