Deception (Infidelity #3)(44)

“He’s on many people’s lists, and I don’t think any of them have him listed as ‘good.’”

“I’m reading today’s testimony. Tell me what I’m not reading.”

“What you’re not reading?” Doyle Carroll asked.

“Tell me what I missed that didn’t make the transcripts,” I clarified.

“Higgins seemed pretty confident. It’s as if he knows he has the votes, but that isn’t possible by my count. I’m not confident we have them either. It’s close, very close.”

“Who’s on the line?”

“Two minority, Hatchett from Oregon and Kelley from Tennessee and three majority, New York, Michigan, and Wisconsin.”

“New York? I thought she was on our side?” I asked.

“She was. Now she’s not sure.”

“It was the seals, wasn’t it?”

“Lennox, I’d like to think the committee is smarter than that, but to the extent possible, you need to emphasize that the appropriations have already been earmarked, that it won’t be a pork-barrel sm?rg?sbord, and that this will cost jobs. Give specifics. Talk about how the increase in tax will cause companies not only to cut employees but quite possibly take business elsewhere.”

I sighed. “I have that all planned. I was just wondering if I should mention the obvious whale omission?”

Doyle laughed. “I do appreciate your sense of humor. I’m glad you’re here, and I’m glad that son-of-a-bitch missed.”

“Thanks. I’m happy about that, too.”

A call beeped into my phone and I looked at the screen.

“Doyle,” I said, “I have a call. I don’t recognize the number, but with the way my day’s gone, I’d better answer.”

“I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Yes, I’ll be there.”

I swiped the screen, hanging up one call and connecting to the next. “Hello.”

“Demetri, it’s Severus Davis.”

“Severus, nice to hear from you.”

“Join me for a drink?”

I looked around my suite and down at my comfortable jeans. I would rather stay where I was, but this was the shit that got things done. This was what I did, what Oren had done. “Where?”

“The bar in your hotel.”

“My hotel?” He knew where I was staying?

“Yes. I’ll be there in fifteen.”

“See you there.”

I hung up and called Deloris.





“THE PARTY FOR my granddaughter, it was nice?” Carmine Costello asked as he settled against the large chair in his office.

I was back in his home, back in Brooklyn. It didn’t matter that I had businesses to run and a wife constantly complaining that I wasn’t around. I was replying to a summons that had me trekking from Westchester to New York City, and from the city to Brooklyn. I needed a fucking helicopter to cut down on travel time, or maybe a clone. Then I could be in two places at once.

“Yes, sir,” I answered. My face set in its customary expression of full attention and respect, as if saying anything negative about his granddaughter’s first communion celebration was an option. “It was lovely, but not as lovely as Luisa. She beamed.”

Carmine smiled, his full cheeks lifting in approval, just before he looked about the room at his men and his features changed. “Enough. Tell us about the jewelry stores.”

I leaned back casually, attempting to show both my wife’s uncle and his minions that I wasn’t intimidated. After all, I was family. “There are three,” I explained. “I’ve done my research. They have potential. Their current inventory is valued at nearly as much as the asking price. That doesn’t include the property, which as you know is invaluable. Acquiring a storefront on the island is like striking oil.”

Carmine leaned back and nodded.

“Of course you’re familiar with the one near here. The other two—”

“I know where they’re located,” Carmine interrupted. “I also know that you’ve been talking to the other families.”

I fought the urge to sit taller. “Yes. I’ve been in negotiation.”

“Have I missed our negotiation?” Carmine asked.

“Sir, I’ve spoken with Vincent multiple times. He’s been aware of everything. He told me to wait before I brought it to you.”

Carmine leaned forward, placed his elbows on his desk as his fingertips met, one at a time, until both hands came together. I was most certain he wasn’t about to pray. If he was, I was the one who needed divine intervention. “I see. So it’s Vincent’s approval you seek?”

“No, sir.”

“You don’t seek my son’s approval?”

Over the years, everyone knew that Vincent had become Carmine’s second-in-command. He was a made man, had been for nearly ten years, back when the families wielded more power than they did today.

That said, I was quickly discovering that their loss of power could be more myth than reality.

“I do seek Vincent’s approval, but yours is the most vital. Even the other dons are waiting…” My words trailed away as Carmine’s hand came up indicating my silence.