“What is it?”
“We need to bring Teddy in,” Carmine said.
It wasn’t at all what Mick expected to hear. He expected to hear about problems in the ranks, or some new issues with their shipments, but nothing like this. He looked around. The corridor was bustling with activity. Without saying a word, he headed toward a private office near the end of the hall. Carmine knew to follow him.
Once inside the empty office, Carmine told him what he knew. “Teddy’s in Paris.”
“I know. He’s on vacation. He’s been there for a couple of weeks.”
“Did you also know he owns a fancy French chateau there? A very stately home?”
Mick didn’t know, and was surprised to hear it. “He never mentioned it, no.”
“And that ain’t all. He has quite the business there too.”
Mick shifted his weight. “What kind of business? Don’t tell me drugs.”
“It’s drugs, Boss.”
Mick frowned. “I ordered his ass to pull out of that shit.”
“He pulled out. But he went back in. Now he’s in over his head because he messed with the wrong one.”
Mick looked at Carmine. “Who?”
“Angelo DeCoppola.”
“Ang? Geez.” Mick was floored. Angelo DeCoppola was his cousin, on his deceased mother’s side of the family, and he knew how ruthless his cousin could be. He two-timed Mick once upon a time. He was bad news. “That boy didn’t know any better than that?”
“And that’s not the worst of it, Boss,” Carmine said. “He banged Ang’s old lady. Then the old lady was found murdered in his fancy chateau.”
Mick frowned. “Why would he fool around with Angelo’s woman?”
“He claims he thought she was a random. A jump off. Who knows? But Ang’s men nearly put lead in his ass when they broke into his house.”
Mick leaned against the desk. All he could think about was his son. “Where is he now?”
“Hiding. Waiting for us to come and get him. I told him to stay off his phone. No more contact. Until we bring him in. I can send out a crew, but I need your authorization.”
Mick looked at Carmine as if he had lost his mind. “Damn straight we’re sending out a crew. And I’m leading it. That’s my son. What the fuck are you talking about?” Mick rose and began heading for the exit. “Get in touch with Chevalier. Tell him I need him to shelter my son until I get there.”
“I already called him. He’s on standby. I’ll tell him it’s a go.”
“Who do we know in the Paris police department?” Mick asked.
“Nobody that I can think of. But we’ve got high ranking contacts with Scotland Yard. Maybe they can make some phone calls.”
“See to it,” Mick said. “I’ll talk to whomever I need to talk to.”
“Okay, boss.”
“My pilot’s been contacted?”
“Yes, sir. But it’s going to take some time. He’ll need clearance from the tower and that’ll take time.”
“But let him know I want us flying out of here as soon as he can get permission to leave.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And I’m talking he’d better get it within the hour.”
“Yes, sir.”
They exited the office.
“Need my assistance, sir?” Carmine asked as he closed the door. “Where are you headed?”
“To see my wife. And no, I don’t need your assistance. Get the crew together and meet me at the airport.”
“Yes, sir,” Carmine said and Mick took off. Carmine shook his head. Talk about a contradiction. Mick the Tick was the most ruthless man he’d ever known. He didn’t give shit about shit. Even with his own children he was inconsistent at best. Sometimes he rose to the occasion for them, sometimes he didn’t. But he had this crazy thing for his wife. He always rose to the occasion when it came to her. It was as if even a bad man had to have a soft side, and she was his.
His son was in trouble, and he needed to get his ass to Paris, but he had to go see that black chick first. Personally, Carmine didn’t see the allure of the woman. She was just okay as far as he could see. But Mick saw something entirely different, Carmine thought, as he headed out. And it didn’t matter how long Carmine lived, or how many ways he looked at her, he was never going to understand why.
Roz knew when she was being placated, and when smoke was being blown up her ass. And Buddy Sykes, her friend and one of the most successful African-American directors in Philly, was doing a little of both.
They were in a restaurant near the theater district, where many performers loved to frequent. They placed their lunch orders and was handing the menus back to the waitress. It was only then did Buddy remove his sunglasses and hung them on the unbuttoned top part of his shirt. A shirt that purposely revealed his perfectly smooth, lean chest. He also leaned forward and smiled. “I’m not running any line on you, Roz. I mean that. But it is what it is. I gave her another chance and she blew a hole right through that.”
“You’ve got to give her another one, Buddy.”
He frowned. “Like hell I do! She’s good, I’ll give her that. But she ain’t that good.”
“She’s good. She’s the best right now. And opening night is tomorrow night. She’s far better than her understudy.”
Buddy knew it too. He leaned back.
“You’ve got a problem, Buddy, and it’s not Miranda. You’ve got a timing issue.”
Buddy folded his arms. Roz was a sweetheart to him, a woman who really put her heart and soul into every one of her clients. The way her beautiful brown eyes lit up when she spoke about them. The way she made it a point of showing up, even if she couldn’t stay, for their opening night. And she was gorgeous too, with the kind of style he wanted to emulate? If he wasn’t gay, he’d be all over that. “You are right, of course,” he said. “I hate to admit it, but you are right again. But I cannot put up with her petulance, Roz. That child is too much. I won’t tolerate it!”
“Let’s make this deal,” Roz said, leaning forward. She was wearing Versace, this time an elegant blue form-fitting dress and heels, and to Buddy, nobody could wear it better than Roz. “I’ll talk to Miranda. I’ll get her mentally tough for tomorrow night. But I’ll also serve notice that if she misses any more rehearsals, or give you any trouble, you will terminate her contract without warning and I’ll dump her from the Graham Agency too. She not only won’t have a job anymore, but she won’t have an agent anymore, either.” Roz extended her hand. “Is that fair?”
Buddy smiled. And shook her hand. “You keep your word, Roz. That’s the only reason I’m agreeing.”
Roz looked beyond him when she saw what she thought was a familiar figure heading her way.
“But I’m warning you,” Buddy added. “The first time she starts in with the bullshit, I’m invoking my right to terminate. No questions asked.”
“No questions asked,” Roz agreed, as she realized it was Mick heading her way. “What are you doing here?”
Buddy, surprised by the question, turned toward where Roz was now focused. When he saw the very handsome man approach them, all dressed in black trousers, a black turtleneck shirt, and a long, white overcoat, he rose to his feet. “Well who do we have the pleasure, Roz?”
“Buddy Sykes, this is my husband, Mick Sinatra. Mick, this is Buddy.”
“How are you, Mr. Sinatra?” They shook hands. “Roz has told me nothing about you.” Buddy said this with a smile.
“Likewise,” Mick said with no smile at all.
But Roz knew it was serious or Mick, the busiest man she knew, wouldn’t be there. And he most certainly wouldn’t be dressed in black. “What’s up?” she asked.
“We need to go,” he said.
Roz immediately began grabbing her purse.
“Well damn, Roz,” Buddy said with a smile, “I haven’t seen you move this fast since the days when we used to have to fight to be seen at those mass casting calls. Here, take this.” He handed her a small
DVD.
“What’s this?” Roz asked, accepting it.
“The screen test of a young lady with loads of talent that I think would make a great client for you.”
“You want me to be her agent?”
“If you agree with me that she has what it takes, and I think she has boat loads of what it takes, then yes. You should be her agent.”
“Okay, who is she? Your niece, your cousin, what?”
Buddy laughed. “No, nothing like that. Nothing of the sort. I just think she’s good. You’re the best. She needs the best. Good match all around.”
Roz smiled, but knew she had serious business to attend to. Far more serious than Buddy talking up some starlet. “Talk to you later, hon,” she said to Buddy, they air-kissed each other’s cheeks, and then she and Mick left.
As they were leaving, the waitress arrived at the table with the drinks. “Where’s the other lady?” she asked, and then caught herself. “I mean the lady?”
Buddy wasn’t offended. He was outwardly gay on purpose, and loved to rub it in to those who hated such blatant flaunts. “She’s gone,” Buddy said. “But this lady right here will take both drinks, thank you very much.” He sat back down, as she smiled and sat down the drinks. “Opening night tomorrow night with a hellion for my lead. Oh yeah. I need them both,” he said.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
It was only after he got behind the wheel of her Bentley and they were leaving the restaurant, did Roz realize he had been dropped off. Which made her all the more concerned. “What is it, Mick? The children okay? What’s going on?”
“Teddy’s in trouble,” Mick said.
Roz’s heart began to pound. “What kind of trouble?”
“They found some dead woman in his Paris chateau and I need to bring him in. I’m on my way to the airport now.”
But Roz was still stuck on his earlier statement. “He owns a home in Paris? You knew Teddy owned a home in Paris?”
“I didn’t know. I own houses in Paris and all over Europe. But they’re safe houses in case shit jumps off. From what Carmine told me, Teddy’s place didn’t fit that description. He has himself some stately manor for his private enjoyment while he does his drug runs.”
Roz frowned. “His drug runs?”
Mick couldn’t hide his displeasure. “He’s back in the drug trade again.”
“But I thought you made him get out, Mick.”
“I did. But he defied me.” Mick’s jaw tightened when he admitted that truth.
Roz shook her head. She knew men far tougher than Teddy would ever be who wouldn’t dare defy Mick the Tick. But his children had a way of pushing that envelope when it came to their father. “I’m very disappointed in him. He knows what that shit does to people.”
“He doesn’t give a damn,” Mick spat out. “Just as long as he’s getting his. I should leave his ass twisting in the wind for that very reason. I should keep his ass in Europe.” Then Mick looked out at the road ahead of them. “But I can’t.”
Roz looked at Mick. There was a time, before she knew him, when he was an awful father to his grown children. He’d been trying his best, for years, to make amends. “You’re going over there now?”
Mick nodded. “I’ve got some of my people sheltering him until I get there, but if he’s hot, they’re going to have to move him around. And that can be risky. I want him to shelter in place.”
Roz already knew the answer, but was so concerned about Teddy, and Mick especially, that she still felt compelled to ask the question. “Can I go with you?” she asked.
“Hell no,” Mick answered, with a frown. Then he looked at her. “You know better than that, Rosalind. You stay here and take care of our babies. And if it looks like this shit is spilling outside of Europe, I want you and the twins on lockdown and I’m pulling Gloria and Joey in too. You’ll be in charge.” Roz was the best backup he’d ever had. Bar none. “I need you here.”
Roz already knew that would be his answer, but she still had to try. She worried about him. “Just be careful,” she said, as she looked straight ahead. “I’ve dealt with my share of bad men in my time. Many of them were my boyfriends,” she added, with a sad smile. “But none have ever been badder than a drug dealer. I don’t like those motherfuckers.”
Mick nodded. “Neither do I. But they ain’t so tough. Don’t you worry about me.”
Roz smiled and placed her hand in his. She was glad she had a strong man like Mick. “Teddy’s problem,” she said, leaning her head against the headrest, “is that he’s too successful. Whatever he tries to do, he does it too well. I’ve noticed that about him. He starts working for you and become the best enforcer you’ve got. The best. And someday he’ll run your entire organization.”
“But that’s not enough for his arrogant ass,” Mick said, agreeing with her. “He wants it now. No matter what it costs. He wants to be his own boss.” Then Mick exhaled. “The problem is,” he said, squeezing Roz’s hand, “he’s too much like me. He looks like me, sometimes I swear the motherfucker talks like me.”
Roz laughed.
“And unfortunately, I have never been comfortable working for somebody else. Not even Reno’s old man, my uncle Paulo? I went to war with his ass to prove he wasn’t about to boss me. And he was the badass of bad-asses back then. Teddy, I’m afraid, is just like me.”
Roz was concerned. “But how in the world do you rein somebody like you in?” she asked.
Mick hated the answer. “You don’t,” he admitted. “If he feared me enough, he might have changed his ways.”
“He does fear you. All your children do.”
“They fear what I can do to them,” Mick said. “But they feel I owe them too. And that makes them think they can take liberties with me. They can’t, but they try anyway. Especially Teddy. That fucker’s been trying me all his adult life. He’s a loose cannon with too much spark. I can’t rein that in. Just like nobody could rein me in.”
“Then what do you plan to do about it?” Roz asked. “He’ll get himself killed if he keeps going the way he’s going.”
“I’ve got to move him up the ranks faster than I wanted to.”
Roz looked at Mick. “But he’s already high up in your organization.”
Mick exhaled, as he stopped at a red light. “I’ve been thinking about slowing down. You know that.”
Roz nodded. “Sure I know.” She waited for him to tell her what she thought he was going to tell her.
“If I’m able to get him out of this mess he’s gotten himself into overseas, and bring him safely back to the States, I’m going to have to make him the head of the family, Rosalind.” He looked at her as the light changed. “There’s no other way.”
“But is he ready to fill your shoes, Mick? Are your men ready to follow him?”
“That’s what we’ll have to find out.”
“Between you and me, what do you say?”
Mick shook his head. “I say no, he’s not ready. I know that, and you know that. But he doesn’t know it. The only way I’m going to save his life is to let him take over and see for himself that he may look like me, and try to act like me, but he’s not me. I don’t run a small operation like that shit he’s running over in Europe. I run the major leagues. I doubt if his ass will last a week.”
“But you’ve got to do it?”
Mick nodded. “Eventually, I’ve got to do it. Not tomorrow. Or next week. But soon. After we get this craziness ironed out, we’ll have to have a discussion. It’s going to create some chaos and problems, but that’s the only way he’s going to understand that he’s not ready yet.”
Roz stared at Mick. “But what if he is ready?”
Mick smiled. “Then I would be a very happy man.”
Roz smiled too. “So would I actually. You need a break. You’ve been at the game your entire adult life. I’ll be very happy myself if somebody could take over and bear that burden instead. But I don’t think he’s there yet. I wish neither one of you had to be involved
in the underworld.”
“The Sinatra Crime Family will go on whether I’m here to keep it going or not. I’m in too deep to ever get out. But at least with Teddy at the helm, I’ll know he won’t double cross me and put our family at risk. Because make no mistake about it: the moment my organization shows any weakness, is the moment my enemies will pounce. Teddy will pounce back, because he knows he has you and his siblings to protect. And he’ll protect you. I can say that with one hundred percent certainty about Teddy. I can’t say that about any other man in my organization. Nor any other one of my children.”
Then Mick exhaled. “I never wanted him to go down this road with me either. I would have preferred he and Joey follow the legit route the way Gloria did. They could have worked in my legit business and made a good living. But I can’t put in them what’s not there already. They’re thugs, like their old man. I just know how to play it straight too. They can’t even try. It’s not in either one of them.”
“So how do you envision it, Mick? Teddy running your syndicate, and Gloria running SI?”
“In time, yes. But she’s no more ready to run SI than Teddy’s ready to run my syndicate. Neither one of them are ready.”
“But both of them think they are,” Roz said.
Mick’s cellphone began to ring. “Yeah, they do,” he said, as he took out his phone and glanced at the Caller ID. “They think they can rule the world.” When he saw that it was Carmine, he answered. “Yeah?”
As Mick listened on the line, Roz pulled out her own cellphone and pulled up Google.
“I’m just a few minutes away,” Mick said into his phone. “That’s the absolute soonest? Okay. Yeah. Yeah, you do that. Bye.” He ended the call. “That was Carmine,” he said. “The plane will be ready for takeoff in about forty minutes.”
“Well that’s good,” Roz responded. “We’ll just a few minutes away from the airstrip.”
Mick Sinatra: Breaking My Heart Page 8