Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“You,” he said to me, “I think might work as a wealthy businessman in town. That’s someone Frank might clock on his radar. Which works for our purposes. Keep his focus on you. Let him schmooze you. He always sucks up to heavy hitters in town. Wants to turn his small casino into something big.”
“I can do that,” I agreed.
Sure, being in the mob was part being a businessman and part being a criminal. But it also involved wearing a lot of different hats and playing different roles. I spent more time pretending to be someone I wasn’t than I did actually committing crimes.
“Frank likes to talk. Especially if someone else is buying the rounds. I have a slush fund for both of you to use to work on your separate jobs. And while we’re on the topic… it’s really important for the two of you not to be seen together from this point on. I know you’re staying at the same hotel, but that wouldn’t raise flags so long as you aren’t seen interacting. If you’re careful, you can meet in one of your hotel rooms. But you’ll also be able to connect when you come to see me. And with texts or calls, obviously.”
“That’s not a problem.” It sounded like we were going to be too busy to hang out anyway. “Is there anything in particular you want me to find out about Frank?”
“We haven’t been able to get close to learn much. So anything would be helpful. And for you,” he said to Dom, “I would like you to get a feel for the employees. Not so much for the dealers or bartenders, unless you sense they have more power than they should. But the security, the pit boss, anyone in power—get me what you can about them. I need to know if I have to clean house when I take over. I’d prefer not to. People in this town have struggled enough. But I’ll have to do what I have to do.”
“I can do that,” Dom said.
I’d only seen Domenico in action-type roles since he’d gotten out. I had no idea how well he pulled off playing a part. But with how confident he seemed, I figured he knew what he was doing. Besides, it wasn’t my place to babysit him. That was Remo’s job, if he wanted to do it.
“Do you have a meeting location?” I asked.
“I do have a place. But since you two can’t be seen coming and going, for the time being, we will be meeting at places like this. There’s no shortage of them across the city. I’ve got burners here for you.” He reached into his breast pocket to produce them. “I programmed my burner number in. Under R. And my brothers’. Just in case you can’t get in touch with me and shit is going south.”
I flicked through mine, then asked for Dom’s number so I could program him as well.
“And your slush money,” Remo said, waving toward his men. They each approached us to hand us each envelopes with cash. “There will be refills each time we have a meeting, so don’t be careful with it. Every cent will be worth it when that casino is mine.”
“Don’t gotta tell me to blow all your money twice,” Domenico said, shrugging.
“You guys got any questions for me?”
“Yeah. The name of the casino might help,” I said.
I got a chuckle out of Remo at that.
“The Golden Anchor,” he said. Then, with a head shake, “I know. Awful name. That’s the first thing gone. Followed by the hideous fucking carpet.”
“Alright. I guess we’re good then.”
“Great. You look like you might have a sweet tooth,” he said, looking at Domenico. “You’re leaving here through the candy shop. You, head back the way you came. Just a tourist exploring a ghost mall.”
With that, we all walked out of the storefront and into the eerily empty mall.
I turned away from the others, heading back the way we came. Once I was out of sight from the others, I reached for the envelope, fanning through the cash. It was a mix of hundreds, fifties, and twenties. My rough estimate was a solid ten grand.
It was more, I was certain, than I needed to schmooze Frank. But Dom might very well need it for his job. Gambling was expensive as fuck. Especially if he was going to look like a gambling addict.
Tucking the money away, I made my way back outside. The sea salt and algae scent danced around as the wind kicked up.
I turned down the boardwalk, the weathered wood in a herringbone pattern beneath my feet as I made my way to the railing, leaning down to watch the waves crash.
A light spray of water in the air dampened my face as I reached for my phone and dialed Luca to fill him in on the meeting, on what I knew about the plan.