After succeeding in his task, Bill rushed over, quickly donning a medical rubber glove.
Sean carefully explained the entire process, emphasizing the importance of being cautious.
As Bill approached the car, he found Christopher on the brink of death, gazing at him in disbelief. Christopher couldn't comprehend the situation—why had someone shot themselves? Wasn't it supposed to be about selling information?
"Why?" Christopher attempted to raise his hand but lacked the strength. He managed to force out a few words.
"Poor kid," Bill muttered, shaking his head. He took Christopher's phone, dialed a number using the match he held, and soon the private doctor's phone rang. He pressed the phone to his ear and set it aside, continuing to call.
Bill then retrieved a stack of documents given to the veterinarian by the personal doctor. He took Christopher's hand, pressed the documents into it, staining them with blood and fingerprints, and then tossed them under the car.
In his fading consciousness, Christopher realized he had been framed. His expression twisted in agony as he struggled against the truth.
In a hurry, Bill didn't have time to console Christopher. He pressed the phone to his ear, tossed the personal doctor into the car, and then rushed to the other side, grabbing $100,000. He instructed his subordinates to turn around and leave immediately.
Instead of using the original car to exit the underground parking lot, they took the fire stairs up to the shopping mall. According to Sean, leaving the parking lot after the gunshots would attract unwanted attention from security at the entrance, which was unnecessary. However, the noise wouldn't carry to the upper levels, making it safer to blend into the crowds in the mall.
...
Soon after, the police vehicles arrived at the scene of the crime. Christopher, a member of the Soprano family within the Dimeo Group, may have had a poor reputation among the public, but he was well-known and respected by the Trenton police. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the officers quickly cordoned off the area.
In a world where moral lines often blur, the police understood the gravity of the incident. Before long, news of Christopher's death reached the Soprano family. Tony Soprano, Christopher's uncle, was the first to arrive at the scene.
When Tony saw his nephew lying in a pool of blood, his eyes filled with rage. Despite Christopher's tendency to stir trouble, they shared a close bond. Staring at his nephew's lifeless body, Tony vowed to avenge him. Whoever was responsible for this would pay dearly.
With the police on the scene, protocol required that they document everything and transport the body back to the station for an autopsy. The Soprano family couldn't intervene at this point. Tony understood that to find the murderer, he would need the police's cooperation.
Shortly after, the news of Christopher's murder in the mall's underground parking lot began to circulate.
A few hours later, in a car parked by the police station, the police captain in charge of the case sat in the back seat with Tony Soprano.
As the captain reviewed the results of the investigation, he frowned, struggling to find the right words.
"Just tell me. I can handle it," Tony urged, his voice steady.
"Listen, you need to remain calm," the captain replied with a sigh. "The person Christopher met is a man named Price Raymond, the personal doctor for the Apple family."
"Why would Christopher meet him?" Tony asked, bewildered, unable to connect the dots.
"It seems he was trying to buy information," the captain explained. "We found that your nephew received a call from a public phone booth last night. The address was near Price Raymond's house, and that call was made again at 4:20 this afternoon."
"Additionally, they had a conversation right before the incident. Your nephew called Price Raymond this time."
The captain pulled out a document from his pocket, revealing it was a photocopy of a medical report found under Price Raymond's car, stained with Christopher's blood and fingerprints. "It seems he threw this under the car in his last moments. The report is related to Acomo Apple, but it's unclear what it contains. You might want to have someone look at it yourself."
As Tony listened, he fell into a deep silence, processing the information. After a moment, he reached out and patted the captain's thigh. "Thank you. The Soprano family will not forget your help."
"Be careful," the captain warned as he opened the door to leave. "This news will get out, and there will be consequences."
"I understand. Thank you," Tony replied, nodding.
Once the captain left, Tony instructed his men to drive back. As he analyzed the police's information, a theory began to form in his mind.
Price Raymond, the personal doctor for the Apple family, had intended to sell valuable information to Christopher for $100,000. The call the previous night had set up their meeting for today, indicating that the information must have been quite significant.
However, Tony was puzzled about how the Apple family had learned about the transaction. It seemed they had acted too late, arriving after the deal had gone south, resulting in violence. The killer had fled, unaware that the critical document—evidence of Christopher's last moments—had been left behind.
This document could change everything.
Tony realized that if the report fell into the hands of the police, it would not only expose the situation but also implicate the Apple family in Christopher's murder. The stakes were high; if the contents of the report were as vital as he suspected, it would spark an irreversible conflict between the Soprano family and the Apples.
Determined to get to the bottom of this, Tony instructed the driver to change course. He needed to find a trusted doctor friend to analyze the document and uncover its secrets. Only by understanding what it contained could he decide on the next steps.
While driving, Tony called family members, warning them to stay vigilant. He arrived at his friend's private hospital about half an hour later.
The doctor, a seasoned professional, didn't let the bloodstains hinder his analysis. As he examined the medical report, his expression grew increasingly perplexed, leaving Tony anxious and confused.
"This is… unusual," the doctor finally said, placing the report down. "The findings here are beyond anything I've encountered. It challenges the limits of medical ethics and legality."
"What do you mean?" Tony pressed, feeling the weight of the situation intensify.
The doctor hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "The implications of this report could create turmoil. It involves something deeply sensitive regarding Acomo Apple's family. If this information is made public, it could ruin reputations and ignite a violent feud."
Tony's heart raced. "So it's that serious?"
"Serious enough that you need to consider your next moves very carefully," the doctor replied, his tone grave. "I suggest you keep this report hidden until you decide how to handle it."
As Tony absorbed the information, he felt a mix of anger and determination. He had to protect his family while also seeking justice for Christopher. This was no longer just about revenge; it was about control and survival in a world where power dynamics could shift in an instant.
"Thank you for your help," Tony said, his voice firm. He left the hospital, his mind racing with plans and contingencies. He knew he had to act fast, not only to shield the Soprano family from the fallout but also to ensure that the Apple family was held accountable for their role in Christopher's death.
Back in his car, Tony called a meeting with his closest associates. As they gathered, he laid out the situation, emphasizing the urgency of their response.
"We need to protect this report at all costs," he instructed. "And we have to figure out how to turn this situation to our advantage. The Apple family thinks they can play us, but they're about to find out that we don't take threats lightly. If they think they can silence Christopher, they'll regret it."
His associates nodded, understanding the gravity of the moment. They were ready to fight, not just for revenge but for their standing in a volatile world where loyalty was everything.
With the stakes higher than ever, Tony Soprano prepared to navigate a treacherous path, where every decision could lead to either downfall or ascendance. The game was on, and he was determined to come out on top.