The Devil's Due

by Ali Vali

  “You got some guys to finger Cain?”

  “Two, and they promised no matter what, they’re going to stick to their story. Once they finally get that meeting with Hector or his daughter, they’ll wait a day or so to call us.”

  “Mike’s sure we can trust these guys?” He was able to open his eyes more after Santino closed the blinds. “Cain has a way of sniffing out this kind of shit like no one I’ve ever seen.”

  “She’s not going to be a problem when Hector goes at her with everything he has. Then we can go after Remi and her goddamn family.”

  “You sure you’ll be okay?”

  Santino came to the bed and leaned over so he could kiss Nunzio’s forehead. “All you have to worry about is getting better. I will take care of this. Once Cesar sees we’re reliable, we’ll be kings.”

  “Okay, and as soon as I’m out of here, I’ll meet you in the city.”

  “Just remember that I’m proud of you,” Santino said, kissing his forehead again. This time, though, a chill ran through Nunzio. It felt like a bad omen, and he wanted to beg him to wait until they could both go. But he was afraid Santino would laugh at his overactive imagination.

  The door clicked closed and his heart raced. He struggled to breathe as panic started to make his body seize up. He had to go after his grandfather, but when he swung his legs over the side of the bed, he fell to the floor. He was too weak, and his head pounded so bad he grabbed the sides of his head and grunted at the pain.

  “Nino, please,” was the last thing he said before it all went black.

  Chapter Thirty-one

  “Lou, get some of our best guys on the street and find this Newsome guy. If he’s willing to set me up for this kind of shit, then I’m going to give him a reason to hate me. The only thing is, he’s not going to live very long to be able to do anything about it.” Cain had followed Muriel out of the police station and had to walk the gauntlet of news media outside. Before they even made it to the car, the DA was calling Muriel’s phone, but Cain told her to ignore it.

  “At the risk of pissing you off more, you need to calm down before you make any major decisions,” Muriel said.

  “Waiting gets you into trouble, cousin. I waited with Juan, and look where that got me. Then there was Anthony Curtis, Nunzio, and every other idiot who thinks it’s okay to take a potshot at me because I’ll turn the other cheek.” Cain wanted to rip someone’s head off but tried to regain control since Muriel and Lou weren’t to blame. “Did you call Emma?”

  “I called her, and she said no matter what, I had to bring you home,” Lou said, finally making a dent in Cain’s anger. “I hate to mention it, but Colin called, and he’s got another problem.”

  “What the hell? I wasn’t in there that long, was I?”

  “Once you told him to change the way things were done, he, in typical Colin fashion, called Salvatore.”

  “And Salvatore blew his world to shit?” She shook her head. As much as she loved him, Colin was a three-year-old when it came to business. Truthfully, she was amazed he was still breathing.

  “He accused Salvatore’s son-in-law of stealing and trying to pin it on someone else. Colin questioned Salvatore’s manhood for allowing a woman to take the fall.”

  “And?” She wasn’t at all interested in getting involved in Colin’s business.

  “Salvatore told him to watch his back and hung up. The next phone call Colin got was from the crew at his pub. The place is on fire right now.”

  “Where is he?” This could only mean she’d have to back him in California or support him in New Orleans. The second option would be the worst choice for her own business, so she’d have to fix the California problem, no matter what.

  “I told him it’d be best for him to wait it out at the hotel, and you’d call him.”

  “Give me his number,” she said, and Lou handed over his phone. “I need you to listen, okay?” she said when Colin picked up. “You should’ve waited until you could change how you do business to see who complained. I believe that’s what I said, so do me a favor and hold on before you retaliate.”

  “You’d fucking hold on?” Colin screamed so loud that she had to pull the phone away from her ear. “The rat bastard’s such a good friend that he hit me the second he hung up.”

  “Salvatore Maggio’s been an asshole all his life. You were the one who went into business with him even after Da and I told you not to, so hold on. It’s not going to be forever. We’ll deal with this guy when we’re ready to deal with him, and not any sooner.”

  “Come on. I’m ready now.”

  “Colin, something like this has to be over and done in one night. All of it.” She said the words slowly. “Do you understand what all that means?”

  “I don’t have that kind of manpower.”

  “No, you don’t, so we’re going to have to wait. Give me a few days and pack your stuff. I don’t exactly trust you when left alone to pout. Lou will be there to get you in a little while.”

  “Thanks, Cain. I know I’m a fuck-up at times, but I appreciate you helping me with this.”

  “You’re just you, Colin, and we love you for it, but there’s got to be some changes going forward. Lucky for you, though, big sweeping changes sometimes leave you on the top of the mound.”

  “As long as it’s not shit, cousin, I’m okay with it.”

  “Shit’s not my business or my style, so you’ve got nothing to worry about.”

  *

  “So who are these two lowlifes?” Hector asked Tracy as she stood in front of his desk.

  “They met with Marisol, and she said it was important for you to talk to them.” She knew this would be the test of her future. “They claim they can tell you for sure who hit your places.”

  “I already know that.”

  “They said it was Casey who stole from you and tried to drag you off the scent by pointing the finger at someone else. Marisol thinks it makes perfect sense, because of where the stuff was found. That and the fact that the cops got to it first proved she wanted you to know she stole from you and found a way to keep it out of your reach.”

  “What’s Marisol’s theory then?” He leaned back and laced his fingers together over his stomach.

  “She said Casey stole the drugs and put them in her partner’s building. Since Remi was three floors up from where it was, it means they’re guilty.”

  “What do you think?” he asked.

  There it was. She had to either agree with Marisol or tell him the truth.

  “Maybe this time, you should talk to Marisol about it. I’ll work the angle I’ve been trying to prove. If I do, we’ll know for sure.”

  He stood and came up behind her, pressing himself tightly to her. “You are young and beautiful,” he said, kissing the side of her neck as his hands came up to cup her breasts. “But you are so much more than that, aren’t you?”

  “The most important thing you should remember is that I’m loyal to you.”

  “I know that. I only meant you’re brilliant for one so young, so tell me what you think. If you’re afraid of Marisol’s shadow, then you’ll be of no use to me.” He pinched her nipples hard enough to get her attention.

  “You know if she wants to kill me, she’s going to do it because she’s sure the punishment won’t be as bad as keeping me around.”

  “Come here.” He led her to the sofa behind them. “When I started I had nothing. Some days I ate trash from the streets to stay alive. So when I got here, I knew it was me and no one else that made that happen. Today—because of all the men I’ve killed, all the drugs I’ve moved, and all the things I was willing to do—I owe no one anything.”

  “I didn’t start where you did, but all I had was Kim. And because of Nunzio, Casey, and Jatibon, I lost her. The money and power aren’t important to me, but I simply want to live long enough to see them pay for what they did.”

  “I can give you all that, but you have to promise me one thing. No matter how hard the answer
to any question I give you, always tell me the truth. You’re here and with me because I value your opinion.”

  “Nunzio has asked you for months through your old business manager Miguel to supply him, but you strung him along. Then he stopped asking.”

  He nodded but twirled his finger in the air as if to get her moving in the story. “I know that part. Roth Pombo was moving his shit with someone named Emray Gillis, but I think everyone with that crew is dead, as is Miguel. That’s old news.”

  “It is, but if you remember, Roth’s last shipment, or maybe two, was never found, so we figured Nunzio found it and cashed in. That can only mean that someone in Roth’s or Emray’s crew lived and decided Nunzio was the smartest move. I was with the pig for months and know how greedy he is. If he found it, he probably decided it wasn’t enough and hit your places.”

  “We were careful, so how’d he find that out?” Hector stood up and paced in a circle. “There was no way anyone with us betrayed me, knowing I’d kill them.”

  “I think Nunzio already took care of that for you when he hit the locations and killed everyone in them. Whoever double-crossed you will never have the opportunity to do it again or to confess who stole your merchandise.”

  “Remind me to never play chess with you,” he said, kneeling before her so he could hold her hands. “So Nunzio stole from me and is trying to blame Casey for what reason?”

  “That I don’t know, and while I want her dead too, she didn’t do this. It seems reasonable to me because it was too contrived, right down to where he picked as his safe house.”

  “So these fools waiting to see me are working for the Luca family?”

  “There’s one way to find out without getting your hands dirty.”

  “Let me hear it,” he said, kissing both her palms.

  “Pay them for what they bring you, but tell them you need to draw Cain out of that fortress of hers. If they can do that, there’ll be another payday.”

  *

  “Look, I did what you asked and now I’m in a world of shit. You have to vouch for me so I can go in and not be in handcuffs,” Elton Newsome said from his brother’s house in Baton Rouge. The money he’d gotten as an advance to get Casey to fuck up had run out a week before, and because of Carol there’d be no more. “Either help me or I’m going to Sebastian with what I have.”

  “That’d be the worst thing you can do, Detective Newsome. You knew the risks, and you decided to do it anyway. At the time, I didn’t really care that your willingness wasn’t career motived, but more for the ten grand than for the glory of bringing her down.”

  “No. That’s not how you sold it. You said low, if any, risks because all I had to do was wind Carol up and let her loose.” He combed his hair back and separated the curtains to peer out when he heard a car door. “Well, that crazy bitch got wound up all right, and she fucking blew up. I’m not going down in that blast. You understand that?”

  “Let me see what I can do, and I’ll get back to you.” The man hung up before he had to listen to Newsome really get going about how everyone was shitting on him and how his boss owed him the world for his brave service.

  It helped that he knew where Newsome was in case he needed to make a call and turn him in, but he’d wait for the cop to do something stupid that would make it easy on him and his boss. The decision wasn’t his, but it was time to cut Newsome loose and leave him to finish himself off. He selected the contact he had on speed dial.

  “Sir,” he said when the call connected but no one spoke.

  “Angus.” The voice of the man he’d never met but talked to often was soft, as usual. “Is it important?”

  “I just talked to Newsome, and he’s starting to fray along the edges. The situation will become a problem sooner than later.” Angus watched the map on his computer to see if the signal would stop bouncing all over the United States and give him more of a solid location. “Mrs. Verde was arrested this morning.”

  “I’ll take care of it. Unless we’ve got a problem with the others, try not to call me again. The only way this operation will work is through the absence of contact.”

  “Yes, sir, and thank you for taking care of Newsome.” The bouncing died again without a location, so Angus Covington had to trust that the instructions he’d been getting would lead to the promotion the man promised. He was still wary of the secrecy of the limited contact, but, so far, he’d been trusted with the Carol Verde and Elton Newsome part of Operation Octopus.

  The lead agent he dealt with was heading up a multipronged approach to snag Casey and squeeze her to death. Any question he had about their methods had died the day he stood in her office and she showed him a picture of his wife and kids. Casey had to be destroyed, but he wouldn’t underestimate her. The fact that she’d found out anything about him was a professional move that proved she wasn’t your average thug.

  “When the lead agent makes his move, I pray he kills her. Her death is the only way I’ll live the rest of my life not looking over my shoulder.”

  Chapter Thirty-two

  “Should we have everyone over for Thanksgiving next week?” Emma asked as they dressed for the day. Once Cain had returned home after her arrest the day before, they’d stayed in, and everyone in the house had tried to take her mind off what had happened. At least now it’d be easy to keep track of Emma’s mother.

  “If you can talk Carmen into it, then sure. I’m here only as your sex slave and to provide witty remarks. Cooking isn’t one of my talents.” Cain came out of the closet in khakis and a sweater, since she was planning to take the kids to the park later.

  “I do love your sexual services, but I also like to cook so I’ll be happy to help out. This year will be rough for Remi and Dallas, since they’re in the middle of construction, and Colin might still be here, so I thought a big family celebration might be the ticket.”

  Cain kissed her and nodded. “I’m sure they’ll love you for putting all that together. It’ll be fun, and we’ve got plenty to be thankful for.”

  The knock made Emma groan. Too bad for her it wasn’t because of the kiss Cain had just initiated. Whoever was on the other side of the door had stopped something promising. “Come in,” Cain said as she sat on the bed to put her shoes on. “Good morning, Merrick.”

  “Depends on who you asked, I guess,” Merrick said as she stood by the door. “We might have a problem.”

  “Story of my life lately. What now?” she asked as Emma handed over her watch.

  “One of the store owners on Magazine Street just called and said there’s ‘a guy outside flapping his gums.’” Merrick made air quotes. “He thought you’d be interested.”

  “What’s the gum-flapping about?” she said, smiling.

  “He just scored big by telling Hector it was you who ripped him off.”

  “Am I the last person that hasn’t lost their mind left in the city?” Cain rubbed her jaw. “Where’s this guy?”

  “I’d think he’s in the car with Katlin. She flashed a grand out the window to hear the story up close.”

  “I’ll be back as soon as I can, lass. Tell the kids not to worry. We’ll do something even if it can’t be the carousel.”

  “Are you sure this isn’t some kind of setup? I’m never going to trust Hector or Marisol.” Emma said both names like she was trying to spit something nasty out of her mouth.

  “I’ll have the overprotective squad with me, so don’t worry about anything. Since we both know I didn’t steal anything from Hector, this shouldn’t take long. I mean, why would I steal from the man when he’s more than willing to give it away?”

  “Call me when you’re done,” Emma said, then kissed her before she stood up.

  “Which way do you want to go, Boss?” Lou asked as they waited for the gate to open.

  “Take your time and head to the office.” She glanced in the side-view mirror and confirmed the usual tail, so she closed her eyes and enjoyed the quiet. When they arrived, she had Lou park outside and we
nt across the street for coffee to wait for Katlin’s arrival.

  “Think the weather will be decent next week?” Lou asked.

  “Emma wants the entire crew so bring a date, and I’m not taking any chances so I’ll have Vincent’s catering crew come by with a tent.” They both laughed since she’d turned off the jamming equipment for the moment so the feds could enjoy the more mundane aspects of her life.

  “Let’s go over the details with Katlin,” Lou said, pointing his thumb at the warehouse. “She’s here.”

  They walked slowly and waved to a few of the locals who were outside in the cool weather, and she wondered if the feds still took pictures of these little walks or if they had a whole gallery of them. It didn’t matter and it was time to go to work, so she put it out of her mind. “Remind me about ordering fresh turkeys,” she said as they walked in and headed to the conference room where the rug was rolled up slightly at one end, exposing the trapdoor.

  They headed down the stairs, and Lou helped Katlin get the guy into the chair at the center of a large patch of plastic sheeting. It was obvious he hadn’t wanted to come willingly, so Katlin had knocked him out and dragged him down there. He seemed young but also street-hardened.

  “Any trouble?” she asked as she went through his wallet.

  “He’s a greedy little bastard,” Katlin said as she finished duct-taping him to the chair.

  Cain had taken a total of six thousand dollars in two big rolls out of his pockets, so she gave Katlin her thousand back. “If he was telling the truth about the payoff from Hector, he sold cheap.” She fanned out the five thousand and thought about how best to return it to its owner. “Wake him up. I’ve got stuff to do.”

  Katlin snapped a tube of smelling salts under his nose, and the guy came to so quickly, he almost knocked the chair back. “It’s been a while since we’ve had one of these heartfelt talks,” Katlin said as she slapped the guy a few times to get his attention.