News about Johnny Tran quickly reached Francis's ears through Saul Goodman.
All unexpected variables from last night already had Francis completely on edge. He never expected someone actually caught Johnny Tran on video committing murders.
Furious, Francis started violently smashing furniture inside his study at Bonanno estate.
"How completely brain-dead do you have to be to not realize someone planted hidden camera in your private room?"
Yeah, Francis assumed someone secretly wired Johnny Tran's room with hidden cameras, which explained leaked footage.
Alberto stood to side, absolutely terrified to speak. Saul mentioned video also caught him on camera. Only reason he wasn't already locked up was because he didn't pull trigger himself, making him just suspect for now.
Currently, FBI agents were hunting Alberto everywhere.
After venting his rage, Francis locked bloodshot eyes onto Alberto. That look sent chills down Alberto's spine.
"That idiot has to go!"
Francis was paranoid Johnny Tran would rat him out, so he decided to strike first.
"Mr. Ricci, Johnny Tran is currently in FBI custody. We hold zero leverage with FBI."
That was exactly problem.
In reality, Francis originally orchestrated for LAPD to discover crime scene—hence LAPD arriving late last night. If Johnny Tran fell into LAPD hands, Francis had massive room to maneuver.
Plus, just to be safe, Francis hired industry-famous Saul Goodman as Tran's lawyer.
Who could have predicted Lawson would escalate case straight to FBI?
Now that Johnny Tran was locked up by feds, Francis couldn't reach him even if he wanted to.
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"
Francis morphed back into desk-clearing master, violently sweeping everything off his desk. Noise startled Sofia as she walked past study.
Hearing strange commotion, Sofia gathered her courage and crept up to study doors to eavesdrop.
After her morning encounter with Lawson, Sofia genuinely developed some initiative. She wasn't completely passive anymore; she actually had balls to spy on Francis and Alberto.
Francis absolutely never expected his timid, mouse-like stepmother would eavesdrop, so he didn't bother posting guards outside study.
Finally managing to calm down, Francis turned to Alberto.
"Have Saul Goodman keep Johnny Tran steady. Drag case out as long as possible."
With case this massive, dragging out evidence collection, interrogations, and trials for year or so was completely standard practice.
"I'll notify Saul Goodman."
"How is family reacting to this mess?"
"Definitely some rumors circulating among members. Fortunately, your prep work was solid, Mr. Ricci. A lot of guys think Toretto crew pulled trigger. Right now, everyone is out for blood, actively hunting Dominic Toretto everywhere."
Francis nodded. News finally softened his expression slightly.
"But we can't hide Johnny Tran situation forever. We have to accelerate timeline!"
Alberto's heart skipped beat. He knew exactly what Francis meant by accelerating timeline.
"Mr. Ricci, what's my play?"
Francis closed his eyes and tapped his fingers against desk. It was move directly copied from Old Martin.
Old Martin loved doing that when deep in thought. When Francis was younger, he thought it looked incredibly badass, so he subconsciously adopted habit.
"Call massive sit-down for everyone. Use excuse of avenging our fallen brothers! At gathering, I will hold public election to become new family boss. Prep your muscle just in case things go sideways. Use those fringe associates we reeled in over past few days!"
Alberto nodded.
"Mr. Ricci, exact timeline?"
"ASAP!"
"I'll handle arrangements right now!"
Hearing that, Sofia knew conversation was wrapping up. She quickly tiptoed away from study and rushed back to her room.
Entire time, her heart was practically hammering out of her throat. It was absolutely biggest risk she had taken in her entire life.
She waited full five minutes. Hearing zero commotion outside, her heart rate finally started leveling out.
Couldn't be helped. Francis absolutely never imagined weak, cowardly Sofia would ever rebel against him. It was pure cognitive blind spot.
Countless flawless plans have been destroyed by nobodies. Cognitive blind spots constantly make powerful elites completely ignore thoughts of little guys.
Little do they know, nobodies are true driving force pushing history forward.
Confirming Francis and Alberto hadn't busted her, Sofia immediately pulled out her phone and contacted Lawson.
"Hey, it's Sofia."
"Ms. Sofia. Calling me this fast, did something go sideways?"
"Lawson, I just overheard Francis talking. He's prepping his next move!"
"Oh? Give me details!"
After listening to Sofia's rundown, Lawson went silent for moment.
"Excellent. Ms. Sofia, this intel is highly valuable! But I need exact time and location of sit-down. Need that to build precise tactical plan."
Sofia hesitated. She was still pretty terrified.
"I... I'll try my best."
"Don't try your best, make it happen! Sofia, everything rides on this one play!"
"I... I'll do it."
Sensing Sofia still lacked confidence, Lawson had to up stakes to boost her morale.
"Sofia, I hold hard evidence proving Francis murdered Little Martin. But I absolutely don't trust cops, so my play is to publicly expose Francis right in middle of Bonanno family sit-down! Now do you understand why I need exact time and location?"
Sofia's eyes lit up. She completely missed glaring holes in Lawson's logic.
"Is that true?"
"100% true. You'll have your absolute freedom very soon!"
Sofia bit her lip softly.
"I will absolutely get you exact time and location of sit-down!"
"Waiting on your good news."
With that, Lawson prepared to hang up.
"Wait! Thank you, Lawson."
Right before call ended, Sofia suddenly thanked him in incredibly soft tone.
"Save your thanks until you actually secure your freedom."
Call disconnected.
Sofia put away her phone, eyes blazing with hope. She felt like she could practically smell air of freedom.
But just as she closed her eyes to savor that invisible freedom, someone suddenly knocked on her door.
Instantly, Sofia reverted from swan eager to fly back into terrified little quail.
"Wh-who is it?"
"Ma'am, Mr. Ricci needs to see you."
"Coming."
Shortly after, Sofia met Francis in living room.
"Stepmother, there's gathering in few days. I need you to attend."
Sofia instantly knew exactly what gathering was, but she didn't dare act too interested. It would completely break her usual character.
"What kind of gathering? Can I skip it?"
Francis locked his burning gaze onto Sofia's face.
"It's highly critical gathering. You absolutely must attend to represent Godfather."
"Time, location. I need to check my schedule."
"Not finalized yet. But I'll definitely notify you once it is."
"Understood."
Sofia turned and walked away. She didn't want to spend single second alone with Francis.