by Mike Ryan
“Unless I don’t go home at all.”
“Nah, man, it ain’t like that. He just wants to talk. Trust me, when have I ever steered you wrong?”
“How much time you have to go over it?”
“Awe, c’mon, man, do you really think I’d have you go over there if there was any chance, and I mean the slightest of chances, if there was even a hint of something going wrong?”
“Yes.”
“Now that’s just not fair. You’re being stubborn, you know that?”
“It’s been known to happen.”
“Just like the Tiffany thing, you…”
“Hold on there, the two subjects have nothing in common. They’re not in any way related.”
“You have to be forced sometimes into doing things that are good for you.”
“The Tiffany thing, maybe I could agree with you. Not this.”
“Fine, man, if you don’t wanna go, then don’t go. But what if Butch takes Ames out? He rises to power, we got a good relationship with him, and he actually leaves you alone? That might be something worth pursuing.”
Jacobs loudly sighed, wanting Franks to hear him. “Fine. I’ll go check this place out.”
“That’s my man.”
“But if there’s any hint of an ambush or something, I am out of there.”
“Agreed, man, agreed. I’ll get hold of Butch and tell him you’re coming, then I’ll text you the address of the place.”
“One more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“That thousand dollars you’re getting?”
“Yeah?”
“You gotta take a trip to the pet store and buy Gunner some bones and toys.”
“What?!”
“That’s the deal or I don’t go.”
“How much we talkin’ here?”
“I dunno. Hundred?”
“A hundred dollars for bones?”
“And some toys. He likes the Kong ones.”
“You gotta be kidding me.”
“Nope. You like deals so much, that’s mine. Take it or leave it.”
“That only leaves me with nine hundred.”
“Take it or leave it.”
“Man, you’re getting to be almost as big a shyster as I am.”
“Who do you think I learned it from?”
“All right, man, all right, you got a deal. A hundred dollars on bones and junk for the furry guy.”
“OK. I guess I’ll meet your new BFF then.”
“Listen, man, don’t go overboard with that. Just because I’m making a deal with him doesn’t mean I’m going to Sunday picnics and barbeques with him. Just let me know how it goes with him when you’re done.”
“Oh, don’t worry. Because if it goes badly, I guarantee you will be the first to know.”
6
Immediately after getting the name and address of the restaurant, Jacobs headed right for it. He debated going home to get Gunner first but decided he wouldn’t be bringing him into the restaurant anyway, so it was more important for Jacobs to get to the restaurant ahead of Butch. This way, he could do a little scouting before he and his team got there. Jacobs could then see if they were trying to set him up in some way. At least on the outside. He wouldn’t be able to tell on the inside until he was actually in there.
Once Jacobs got to the restaurant, he pulled into a parking spot at the far end of the lot, but one that he could still see the front entrance from, as well as the doors to the restaurant. He slouched down to make sure he wouldn’t be seen, just barely showing his head above the steering wheel. He got there about half an hour before the meeting was to take place. How soon Butch got there would tell him a lot about the man’s intentions. If he got there near the actual meeting time, it probably meant he had no ulterior motives in mind. But if he got there too soon, it could mean that he needed the extra time to set things up beforehand.
Jacobs anxiously waited for his visitor. He really had no thoughts or hopes as to when Butch would show up. If he thought something wasn’t right, Jacobs had no problem bailing on the meeting. He wasn’t going to walk into something if he wasn’t sure it was on the up-and-up.
Finally, about five minutes before the meeting time, Jacobs saw two black cars arrive. They were the same make, so he had a pretty good idea that it was Butch’s men. Once they parked, Jacobs observed eight men, including Butch, get out of those cars and walk into the restaurant. A few seconds later, one of the men appeared again outside, leaning up against the wall. He got on his phone, trying to look busy, but Jacobs could tell he kept looking up, probably trying to spot Jacobs on the way in. Jacobs waited a few more minutes to make sure there was no other movement by anybody before he started to make his move.
Before getting out, Jacobs reached into the glove compartment and removed his pistol. He made sure the gun was loaded, then put it in the back of his pants and tugged on his shirt to pull it down far enough to cover it. He got out of his car and started walking toward the restaurant. He didn’t want the lookout to see him coming, so he waited for the man to turn to the side so he could sneak up on him. Once the man did, Jacobs hurried to the wall and quietly crept up on him. Jacobs pulled out his gun and jabbed it into the man’s back.
“You know, if you’re gonna stand guard, you really should pay more attention to what’s around you.”
The man stayed perfectly still. “Don’t shoot.”
“That depends on you. Butch have a trap set up for me?”
“No. He just wants to talk.”
“He armed?”
“Everyone’s armed. He doesn’t go anywhere without being protected.”
“What’s he wanna talk about?”
“I don’t know. He doesn’t share that information so freely.”
“Anything else I need to know?” Jacobs asked.
“If you kill me, they’ll be out here before you know it.”
Jacobs got the feeling the man was being truthful. He didn’t give any signs that he was lying or holding something back. He put his gun away and tapped the man on the back of his shoulder. “Relax. I’m not here to kill you. Just wanted to make sure I wasn’t walking into something.”
As Jacobs walked past the man, the guard took a deep breath, feeling as though that was a little too close. Jacobs walked through the doors and took a look around. He didn’t immediately see Butch or his men. A man walked right up to him to seat him.
“Can I help you, sir?”
“Yeah, a bunch of men in suits just came in here. Seven or eight of them.”
“Yes, sir, are they expecting you?”
“They are,” Jacobs replied.
“They’re down here. Right this way.”
Jacobs thought about telling the waiter that he could find his own way, but then thought it would probably be better if he was shown to the table. No use in showing any excess hostility before the meeting started. He had a feeling there would be plenty of time for that, anyway. They passed two tables by the windows, occupied by the other six men that accompanied Butch into the restaurant. Then they came to the last table, the last one in the row, also next to the window, but which also backed up to the wall. Butch was sitting by himself, only a glass of water in front of him. He looked up at Jacobs as he came to the table. He put his hand out to encourage his guest to sit down across from him. Jacobs obliged. The waiter put a menu in front of Jacobs.
“Give us a few moments,” Butch said.
“Of course,” the waiter replied.
“Please, feel free to order whatever you like. The tab is on me,” Butch said to Jacobs.
Jacobs smiled, seeing how this was going to go. He was going to try flattery first. If that didn’t work, then he’d probably try threats. “Will I be here long enough to finish anything?”
“Well, I would hope so.”
Jacobs shrugged, willing to play along. At least at first. He waved at the waiter to signal he was ready. He ordered a cheeseburger, fries, and a soda. Butch did the same
.
“See, we’re not so different, you and I,” Butch said. “We can sit down together, eat the same meal, have the same outlook on things. We’re not necessarily enemies.”
“Did someone say we were?”
“Well, let’s not play games, huh? I think we’re both too smart for that, no?”
Jacobs made a face. He was used to games, but playing the cards straight without any tricks up anyone’s sleeves would be a welcome change for him. “Sure. Let’s go with that.”
“You and I will, I think, agree that we have common interests.”
“Oh yeah? What interests would those be?”
“Wilson Ames. We both would like to see him eliminated. Not to mention how he tried to get your friend in trouble with me. I understand he’s taken things to the next level with you.”
“Maybe. Is that what you wanted to bring me here for? Wilson Ames?”
“Would there be another reason?”
Jacobs shrugged. “You tell me.”
Butch smiled. “I take it that you surprised the guard I had posted outside, considering I didn’t get an alert that you were coming in.”
Jacobs grinned. “He’s fine. I didn’t put a scratch on him.”
“Glad to know. Anyway, the main reason I asked you to meet with me here was that I would like us to coordinate efforts in eliminating a common threat.”
“Coordinate efforts? You want us to work together?”
“Is that so strange? We both have our reasons for wanting Ames gone. And I’m not even going to pretend that our reasons are of a similar purpose. You want him gone for the things he’s done to you already, and I want him gone because, well, I just want him gone.”
“You don’t want the competition.”
Butch tilted his head slightly. He wasn’t even going to try to deny it or pretend there was another reason. “I would prefer not having him in my way, yes.”
“So is that what happened the other night at the warehouse? You both looked to have a heated discussion. Before two of your men were killed. Two of his as well.”
Butch squinted as he stared at his guest. He wasn’t sure how he knew of the incident. Then it occurred to him. “You were there. Somewhere. Weren’t you?”
“Let’s just say I had a good view of the action.”
“How did you know of the meeting to begin with?”
“I get good intel.”
Butch nodded. “Ah, yes, Mr. Franks. He is quite good at his job, isn’t he?”
“He’s the best.”
“Which is why I knew I could contact him to set this up. If you saw all that go down, though, why didn’t you join in?”
“Wasn’t my fight. Besides, things went down a little sooner and unexpectedly than I thought.”
“So what were you there for? Him, me, both?”
“Well, to be fair, I didn’t know exactly who was going to be there. But I can say that you were not on my list.”
“Good to know. I suddenly feel a little safer.”
“What exactly do you want, Butch? I’ve seen your record, I’ve seen your history, and playing nice with people isn’t exactly on it front and center.”
“You’re right. Up until now, I have ascended through the ranks by taking what I wanted when I wanted it. But in starting an organization here, it takes more planning, a little more cunning, and things can’t always be taken by force. Because not everyone will stand by and let that happen. I could get into a war with Ames tomorrow if I wanted. Wouldn’t exactly be good for business or my organization. I don’t want to lose three-quarters of my men in a fight with him. And a fight with him would be deadly. There’s no doubt about that.”
“After the other night, sounds like a war is already happening.”
Butch shook his head. “No, not yet. I think cooler heads will prevail for the time being. Neither of us is willing to concede or pull out, neither is willing to buckle to the other, but we both lost two men.”
“Kind of even?”
“For now. We’ll both pull back, both walk cautiously over the next few weeks and months, try to live with each other as best we can without either stepping on each other’s toes.”
“Well, if that’s already sorted out, what do you need me for?”
“Because I want to make a deal with you.”
“Which is?”
“Without Ames, his organization will crumble. He has no real second in command. His main guy you eliminated a little while ago.”
“The same could be said for you.”
“Probably.”
“If you’re offering me money to take him out, I can tell you right now the answer is no. I’m not a hit man. I don’t do that.”
Butch shook his head. “That’s not what I’m offering.” He held his glass as he thought of the right words to use. “Just as you know my history, I also know yours. I know what you’ve been through.”
“So?”
“So you don’t ever have to go through something like that again.”
“It’s too late for that.”
“And you never have to worry about something similar.”
Jacobs sighed and fiddled with the silverware on the table. “You know, it seems like you’re saying a lot of things without really saying anything. What exactly do you want?”
“A deal between us. One goal in mind. That we take out Wilson Ames.”
“I don’t work with anybody.”
“But Mr. Fr—”
“I don’t work with Eddie. He gives me information when I ask for it. Same as anyone else does. I do what I do on my own, for me, nobody else.”
“Our goals still align.”
“And?”
“People have accused me of a lot of things over the years, Brett. One thing they’ve never called me is stupid. I am not a stupid man. I intend to take over this city. One way or another. I would prefer to do that without getting into another war with you. I’ve already seen how that plays out. First with Mallette, then with Alexander, now with Ames, I don’t want that to be me. While I believe I have the resources to deal with you, I’m sure the others I’ve mentioned had felt the same. To me, that’s not a risk worth taking.”
“So you want a compromise?”
Butch nodded. “I do. All I’m asking is that we exchange any information that we feel is worthwhile to the other.”
“If that leads to the elimination of a certain competitor?”
“Yes.”
“We both want him gone. And once he is, there’s no reason for either of us to have to fear the other.”
“Alexander told me that once. They were lies. You see how that worked out for him.”
“Once Wilson Ames is eliminated, there is no reason you and I can’t peacefully coexist in this city. There’s no need for us to step on each other’s toes. We can stay out of each other’s way, and we both just move on.”
“You make it sound simple.”
“Because it can be. It can be that simple.”
After their food came, there was silence between the two of them for a few minutes as they ate. Jacobs thought about the offer that was on the table. There was more at stake than just taking out Wilson Ames. If Butch could be believed, and that was still a big if at this point, then there was an end in sight. Of course, he thought that once before about Mallette. And then it kept on going.
But in this case, with Mallette still out of the picture, and if Ames was as well, there would be no one left to fight. Images of Tiffany’s face flashed in Jacobs’ mind again. Thoughts of her kept turning up. Could she be that light at the end of the tunnel that Buchanan talked about? After they both finished their meals, the conversation struck up again.
“So how would this presumed cooperative agreement work between us?” Jacobs asked.
“I have feelers sent out all over the city to people who are aligning themselves with me. If they happen to see or know of Ames being in a compromising position, they’re to call me immediately.”
“H
ow do you know these people aren’t doing the same thing to you?”
“I command their loyalty. They know what will happen if they cross me.”
Jacobs was dubious of it, but whatever, that was his problem. “And if they notify you of something?”
“If it’s something that I can take care of, then I will.”
“So where would I come in? If I learn of something that requires, let’s just say, not as much manpower? Something that would require the work of maybe just one skilled person. Maybe that person would be you?”
Jacobs grinned. “And if I learn of something?”
“Then there is no need for you to tackle something by yourself that may be beyond your means and scope. Why attack Ames when he’s in a position to attack back? If he’s got ten or twenty men with him, and I can neutralize him, then that’s not something you have to do yourself. Anything that you learn about Ames, anything at all, no matter how small or trivial, I’d appreciate a courtesy call to inform me. Even if it’s just something as small as you learning where he ate breakfast last Tuesday.”
“Tracking patterns?”
“If necessary. Now, you don’t have to drop everything you’re doing and call me every five minutes, but every two or three days if we just compared notes, I don’t think that’d be a bad idea, do you?”
Jacobs analyzed Butch’s face for a few moments. He didn’t appear to be someone who was trying to blow smoke up his ass. At least for now, he seemed genuine. But that didn’t mean he would trust him fully either. For Jacobs, that ship had long since passed. Butch then reached into his pocket and removed what looked like a business card. He passed it over the table to Jacobs.
“My personal number,” Butch said. “You call that, you get me and only me. No assistants, no members of my team, nobody else. You deal with me.”
Jacobs stared at the card for a second. Butch was trying really hard to make this deal happen, he thought. He wondered if there were other reasons for it besides what he stated. Then it occurred to him. He knew why Butch wanted to make this deal. It was the only possible reason. He wanted help in taking Ames out, not just because he wanted peace with Jacobs, but because Butch couldn’t do it himself. He talked of neutralizing Ames with numbers, but Jacobs didn’t believe it. He needed Jacobs’ help, because the other night showed Butch that he couldn’t take Ames out on his own. Butch either didn’t have the firepower, didn’t have enough men, or both. And he knew it. Now, maybe he meant what he said about having a truce with Jacobs after it was over, but that wasn’t the main reason he wanted the help.