Isaak was a shrewd one and, while the conversation was cold, he offered Naldo only professional courtesy and respect. Naldo didn‘t trust the fella‘s heritage, but they were both key participants in the lives of the rival twins. For him that meant they should follow the hierarchy but could still work well together for the greater good. On the other hand, Isaak appeared to treat his allegiance to Frank as all-encompassing. Perhaps Naldo took the same attitude when he was Isaak‘s age. Now, even Naldo had gained a sense of realpolitik and understood it was better to get along with people than create unnecessary enemies when all he wanted to do was kill for a living and protect those under his care.
With Isaak onside, they figured out the best way to send a message to Markov was to have a quiet word with Lara Mikhailov, one of Nikolay‘s associates who had performed her fair share of murder and mayhem these past weeks. Naldo visited her that lunchtime with Isaak outside on the opposite roof training a rifle sight at her head.
“FORGIVE THE INTRUSION on your meal, but I need to speak with you on a most urgent matter.”
Mikhailov looked up from her newspaper, eyes flitting sideways seeking potential danger.
“Do not be concerned. I am here for a conversation with you and nothing more. If you think about it, were I to want you dead then you‘d be slumped over your brisket by now. May I sit down?”
“For sure. And what‘s to stop me shooting you now? I don‘t like strangers coming up and disturbing my lunch.”
“Apart from the fact we are surrounded by witnesses and a sniper's aiming at your head as we speak? Nothing, but you wouldn‘t hear the message I wish to impart to you from Mary Lou Lagotti.”
The name got Mikhailov‘s attention more than any of Naldo‘s other words and she put her silverware down to listen.
“We want to arrange a meet-up. We are all losing money and burying good people. Neither is great for business, so it should stop. The fighting must end and we need to agree the peace.”
“How do I know I can trust you?”
“You don‘t, but a single hand gesture on my part or any outward sign of menace on yours and you will be dead. The fact I haven‘t instigated your killing should demonstrate our good faith.”
Beat.
“If I wanted to carry on with our war then I should kill you. Right here, right now.”
Naldo stared into her beady blue eyes and Mikhailov glared back. Four intimate seconds later and she blinked and relaxed her upper body.
“Suppose I take you at your word, what are you proposing?”
“ALL WE NEED is to agree a neutral venue and that the aim of the talks is to find an acceptable peace. A hotel in the tourist district or on the edge of town would suit us fine. Just not in the Tenderloin.”
“And would reparations for past conduct be on the table?”
“As much as it needed to be to agree a peace. Remember, there has been loss on both sides so we shouldn‘t fixate on monetizing our corpses.”
“You have the blood of my friends on your hands.”
“I am sure we do and your fingers reek of the guts of our fallen. But we still want a truce and to get back to earning money.”
A waiter arrived and Naldo ordered an espresso. Mikhailov continued her chewing, occasionally taking a sip from her glass of water - although Naldo couldn‘t be sure it wasn‘t vodka.
“And why now do you come here with your white flag and a promise of a bright tomorrow? What has changed since last week?”
“We have lost enough money and want the pipe to flow again.”
“Nothing to do with any trouble in Palm Springs you had?”
Beat.
“We heard about the attack on the Lagotti house. Sorry business, hitting a person‘s home. Did anyone get hurt?”
“The housekeeper needed stitches and the morgue received three visitors. Was your hand in that?”
“No. If I had then the four Lagotti family members would be dead and not seeking peace.”
Naldo scratched his chin and Mikhailov raised her eyebrows and widened her eyes as if to prepare for her imminent assassination at the hands of Isaak‘s sniper rifle. Naldo smiled.
“Don‘t be alarmed. Sometimes an itch is all that irritates me... Let‘s be clear: you and I are cut from the same cloth. We are professional people who can sniff bullshit a mile away because our lives usually depend on it. You could have killed me the minute I walked up to your table with the piece resting on your lap. My sniper could have taken you out any second after that, but we haven‘t because we understand there is time for action and time to listen.”
Beat.
“Make no mistake: tell Nikolay Markov to agree to sit down and thrash out a mutually agreeable truce. It is time for both sides to earn money.”
Naldo stood up and placed enough green to cover the cost of his espresso and her meal, including tip. Then he headed for the door and walked down the street. Isaak maintained position with Mikhailov in his sights for more than a minute as she continued eating her lunch.
He considered squeezing the trigger but thought better of it: Frank would not have been happy. Isaak dismantled the rifle and returned it to its case. Then he hopped over the top of two roofs and scuttled down a fire escape.
39
MARY LOU SAT on a sun lounger staring out at the pool. The rest of the family were in the summerhouse planning the strategy for the peace conference. They didn‘t want her there: every time she made any suggestion, someone would shoot her down. What was the point? Besides, the fastest solution to their war with Markov was a single bullet. That much was clear.
Her only problem was to find a person who‘d be willing to act as Markov‘s executioner. The fear behind her daughter‘s eyes when Alice came back from secretly meeting him was sufficient justification for his death in Mary Lou‘s mind. Add in the current difficulties and she saw no reason to sit down and talk with that mook.
Naldo and Isaak stood outside the summerhouse door, guarding the occupants while keeping a surreptitious eye on Mary Lou, who would glance up at them now and again. She was still getting used to the permanent bodyguard assigned to her. At the height of her power, she‘d protected herself and not relied on anybody else. She didn‘t see herself as old, but she recognized she wasn‘t as fast as twenty years before.
The back of her throat was dry so she got up, but instead of heading to the kitchen, she wandered over to Isaak.
“I need some help indoors. Can you come with me please?”
Isaak looked to Naldo who returned the glance but had nothing to say for himself. So Isaak followed Mary Lou through the conservatory, up the stairs and into her bedroom. He still had no idea what he was doing there.
MARY LOU SAT on the edge of the bed after Isaak closed the door. He stiffened, uncertain of where this situation was heading. She smiled a warm curl of lips and beckoned for him to sit on the stool by the vanity mirror. Isaak relaxed and slumped down.
“There is something I would like you to do for me.”
“Tell me and it is done.”
“Thank you, but wait until I say what I want before you agree.”
Beat.
“I want you to go back to San Francisco tonight and kill Nikolay Markov. A knife in the chest, a bullet through his brains or a bomb under his car. It doesn't matter how you do it but that fucker must not be breathing in the morning.”
Isaak shuffled on his seat, knowing this was the exact opposite of what the rest of her family wanted. But she was the head of the outfit. He couldn‘t think straight and played it cool to figure things out later.
“Can I enlist any help?”
“No-one who‘s connected to the family, but if you need a local hand, knock yourself out. The important thing is that Markov must die and the only two people to know who did it are sat in this room right now.”
Mary Lou glared at Isaak to impress on him the severity of her requirements and the significance of their secrecy. He shuffled again and averted his gaze from Mary Lou�
�s stare. Fucked if he did. Fucked if he didn‘t. At this rate, Isaak wouldn't be alive after St Valentine‘s day.
“AND THIS CAN‘T wait until the peace conference, with respect?”
“You mean, it‘d be easier to hit a few at the same time?”
“Potentially. It would make a bigger statement if it happened in public, so to speak.”
“Interesting...”
Mary Lou brooded on Isaak‘s idea, giving it the full focus of her mind, even though he‘d only said it to buy himself some much needed space to think. He was surprised she‘d given it the time of day.
“You‘ll be in the protection detail at the meet-up, won't you?”
“I‘d expect so. I mean, nothing‘s been decided yet, but...”
“That settles it. Once the meeting is over, you attack Markov before he leaves the room. He mustn‘t get out alive. And this has the added advantage that I watch him die with my own eyes.”
“We‘ll all be frisked so I won‘t be carrying a rod.”
“You will know the venue in good time and can make the arrangements. I‘ll leave you to figure out the details.”
Mary Lou got off the bed and held open the door. Isaak took three or four seconds to get the hint, then he sprang up and walked out to resume his position outside the summerhouse door.
“What she want?”
“To find out if I thought a sniper could have a line of sight into her bedroom window.”
“And?”
“I told her the answer was no.”
“Took you long enough.”
Beat.
“I know you don‘t need or want to hear this but my grandfather said something to me on his deathbed and I‘d like to share it with you.”
“What was that, then?”
“Don‘t fuck your boss‘s mom.”
“Wise guy, your grandfather.”
“He was in an outfit.”
They both smiled, wallowing in their own wit, but Isaak didn‘t know which way to turn. Somehow he he was being set up by Mary Lou, the butt of someone‘s lethal joke, and there was no way out of it.
TWO HOURS LATER as the sun set, Bobby, Alice and Frank came out of the summerhouse to grab some fresh air and to clear their heads. Planning was a tiring business. Bobby sauntered into the main house and Alice plonked herself down onto a sun lounger, then lit a cigarette.
Frank paced up and down beside the pool, taking quick puffs from his smoke. Naldo and Isaak remained tethered to their posts, but when Frank stormed inside, Isaak followed him in. Naldo stood impervious to the goings on around him - or so it appeared.
In reality, little happened within his sight that wasn‘t noted and logged for later use. And because he stayed calm and quiet, foolish people would forget he was even there. So when Isaak popped into the building behind Frank, Naldo noticed and recorded that fact in his brain. He had no idea if it was a significant action, but if it was then he had witnessed it and would inform somebody in the future.
Alice continued on the sun lounger and smiled as she caught Naldo‘s eye. Both she and Bobby acknowledged his presence whereas almost everybody else acted like he wasn‘t there. Denied his sheer humanity - even Mary Lou treated him as though he was chopped liver. And they had known each other for a lifetime. Naldo had always given her the excuse that she was too important for him to expect her to treat him kindly, but after this many years, that had worn thin.
BY THE TIME Isaak caught up with Frank, he was four paces away from the bathroom. Frank looked askance at Isaak who indicated nothing was as urgent as Frank‘s immediate biological needs. When he came out a few minutes later, Isaak was still there, waiting and delivering his words in a hushed tone.
“I need to speak to you as a matter of supreme urgency.“
Frank dried his hands on the back of his pants and ushered Isaak into his room. With the door shut, Isaak spoke his mind.
“Mary Lou intends to have Nikolay Markov killed at the end of the peace conference.”
Frank eyed him suspiciously as though Isaak had spoken in Classical Armenian. He lit another in a chain of cigarettes and continued to stare at Isaak.
“How do you know?”
“Because Mary Lou asked me to do the killing. And now I‘m telling you because I understand that is not the course of action that has been agreed by you and the others in your family.”
Beat.
“I am in an impossible state. If I don‘t follow Mary Lou‘s instructions, she will have me killed. If I carry out what she asks, you, Alice or Bobby will kill me for breaking the peace agreement. On that basis, I am letting you know of my situation and seek your advice how you want me to proceed.”
Frank let out a slow whistle and considered matters for a moment.
“SHE WANTED ME to go to San Francisco tonight and whack him but I got her to delay the timing of the hit because if I had not then Markov would be dead by now and your plans would have been in tatters.”
“But at the peace conference?”
“It was the first thing I thought of that she might have agreed to. But it won't happen, right?”
“Correct: you are not to hit Nikolay Markov - or any other member of his family without my personal authorization.”
“Understood. Will you tell Mary Lou the hit is off because it‘s not my place?”
“Okay, Isaak. Leave that part to me. You go back to your business and everything will be fine. I‘m glad you came and told me: you did the right thing even if you feel as though you‘ve ratted out Mama. You have not at all.”
“Thank you for saying so, but it doesn‘t sit well with me. She is the boss after all.”
“You follow the orders you are given, but you are no fool and have shown you have commonsense. That is nothing to apologize for. Go back downstairs and I‘ll pop down shortly.”
Isaak nodded and left Frank‘s room relieved to have unburdened himself. He tried not to think what would happen now he‘d told Frank, but Isaak was all the better for having shared the load he was carrying. By the pool, Naldo appeared not to have moved a single muscle since Isaak left, but he must have shifted by an inch, surely.
True to his word, Frank sauntered poolside and then the three Lagotti members returned to the summerhouse. A light flicked on inside and drapes were pulled shut, leaving Isaak and Naldo to stand and stare into the half-dark of the evening.
“How long do you think they‘ll be?”
“No idea but even if they don‘t want to eat, I sure as hell do. Mind if you cover me for a short while and I grab a sandwich?”
“Not if you make me one and bring it back out with you.”
“Deal. Pastrami on rye for two coming right up.”
FRANK‘S FOCUS WAS only half on the planning taking place. The rest of his mind pondered over what Isaak had said. While he almost admired Mama‘s desire for violent and bloody resolution to the Markov problem, even he understood that whacking the guy was not practical - at least not now.
This meant Mama‘s ability to make rational decisions was flawed and so she needed to step down as head of the family. It was too dangerous to let her carry on as she was: the others were right. He dipped back into the conversation, unwilling to consider the implications of his own idea.
“Even if this deal only lasts a few months, we need a piece of their narcotics operation, especially if they have a New York side-deal already in place...”
But Mama wouldn‘t go voluntarily: she had no idea she had become unhinged. So there was no appealing to reason. And just pretend that somehow she was gone, who would take over?
Frank could imagine Alice wanting the job - her self-belief and arrogance would propel her into trying to run things, but that was not acceptable to him. At the same time, he could see Bobby leading the outfit well, although Frank reckoned Alice would always have Bobby‘s ear over him.
Deep down Frank knew the only person who should be boss of the Lagotti family was him. So how to achieve that outcome? Alice wouldn‘t step aside
- she‘d need to be pushed. Same with Mama...
“We can‘t allow them free reign over prostitution either.”
“To sweeten matters, we could offer a percentage point or two from our lottery scam.”
Frank experienced a cold shiver down his spine just as he noticed a solitary drop of sweat trickle off his forehead. Pushing Mama aside only meant one thing: he was going to kill his mom. And maybe his sister too.
40
FRANK MENTALLY WITHDREW from the room, unable to believe what he‘d just thought. That even the idea had flashed across his mind. And, despite his own horror, he was still prepared to countenance her murder. He recoiled and focused on the conversation.
“They already have points on the Lucky Lady and they‘re not getting another red cent - not after the effort we‘ve put in building it up.”
“Could the Queen of Sheba be offered, if only as leverage?”
“Points on it, you mean?”
“Yes, of course. I‘m not suggesting we give away the family silver. The aim is to offer him enough treats, so he doesn‘t notice when he‘s getting screwed. Within twelve months he‘ll be buried in the desert anyway, but in case we find a use for keeping him alive, we must negotiate in good faith and carve out a solid deal.”
“Is there anything we could easily give up?”
”Our east coast interests.”
“You‘re only saying that to goad Frank. Ignore her, will you?”
Frank nodded but did not respond as he was still consumed by the idea of killing his Mama. “Alice would do it if she had the chance,” he thought.
MIDNIGHT AND THE planning was over. Bobby and Alice had figured out most of the major details although Frank had chipped in now and again. Alice walked straight up to her room and Bobby stayed in the summerhouse. Frank sat by the pool in the dark while Isaak remained nearby.
The Lagotti Family Series Page 87