act21side

And I'm just a judge who can't help herself.

Our world views have always been fundamentally different.

Let's leave things here, Leon.

If you really want to help me, then keep doing what you need to do.

If you're able to negotiate with the Rossatis, that would already help ease up the situation.

However, unless you lock me up right now, nobody will stop me from finding the murderer.

Silence falls across the restaurant.

Leontuzzo wants to think of something else to say, but all the words he can muster in his mind come up blank.

His throat twitches twice, but no words come out.

Hold on.

Texas?

Oh right, you should head back with Leon. He'll need you in his negotiations with the Rossatis.

No, I have a better idea.

You needed a culprit, right? Then I'll be the culprit.

Do you even know what you're saying...?

It's the quickest way to get the situation under control.

I... don't need others to take pity on me.

Don't get the wrong idea.

I'm doing this for myself.

You're both right. If things continue like this, the situation will only get more and more chaotic, making it harder to find who's actually pulling the strings.

The best method we have is to find the killer before everything spirals out of control.

And of course, the other side will do everything in their power to prevent that.

So you're going to offer yourself up as bait?

Yeah.

Nobody else is a juicy enough target. I might just fit the bill.

You'd make Texas into the real criminals, and sacrifice some renown to take on all the blame, using peoples' ignorance of your famiglia.

And after that, you can release me.

That <i>would</i> be the fastest way to stabilize the situation, while also potentially drawing the true mastermind out of hiding.

An ambitious plan... but it might be worth a shot.

However, you're the last of the Texas bloodline, and this is Siracusa.

Personally, the most important thing about the Texas name is the reputation it brings me.

As I said before, I only have one goal: to see through my agreement with Bellone, and then leave Siracusa.

Then why... Why would you go out of your way to do this?

I also have a number of friends who are trying to change things for the better, in a place called Rhodes Island.

I'd never accept them dying in vain either.

If this plan goes well...

It might even put the other forces behind the scenes in counter-check.

I'm really starting to count my lucky stars that you're on our side.

Spare me.

If this is what we're going with, we'll need this trial to be a barn-burner. Ultimately, that's the only way we're going to keep the other famiglie down.

I'll handle all the other arrangements.

Now's our chance to hit back.

Then can you give me your assurance that you'll let me leave Siracusa?

I swear this to you: once we successfully execute this plan, nobody will pursue you ever again.

Those who've kept an eye on you, be it the Rossatis or any other famiglia, will only know that...

'Cellinia Texas broke out of prison and fled Siracusa.'

Sorry, Lavinia. This might fly in the face of the dignity of the law.

No... I don't think so.

All that remains... is to see things through.