by Nees, David
Tony gave Jason a long, hard stare. “You get what I’m saying? You don’t act like a wise guy. You don’t let Vincent think you cut and run in Knoxville or he won’t have anything to do with you.”
“You guys are pretty well organized. You run the city?”
“That’s the kind of question Vincent don’t like. You’re an outsider. I wouldn’t have said two words to you except you showed you can handle yourself. I figure you might be useful, but it’s up to Vincent. This is your one opportunity. Don’t fuck it up.”
With that he opened the door and headed for the staircase.
They entered an outer office on the third floor. There was a large man sitting at a desk. He was clearly armed with what looked to Jason like a .45 caliber model 1911 pistol.
“Tony, what’s up?” the man said.
“Ears.” Tony replied. “Got someone here to meet Vincent.”
Ears. The man described by Steve and Kevin; the one who came to Hillsboro with Nicoletti. He was as large and solidly built as they had described.
Ears picked up the phone. “Mr. Bonocchi, Tony’s here. He’s got someone he wants you to meet.”
“Go on in,” Ears said after hanging up the phone. “Leave the backpack,” he said pointing to Jason.
Jason unslung his pack and left it against the wall. Then he followed Tony into the office.
Vincent Bonocchi was dressed in black slacks with a white shirt. His hair was dark, long on the sides and slicked back. He was medium height, about five feet ten and solidly built. His hands were thick and spoke of years of street fights. His face showed the effects of those fights with a large, crooked nose, obviously broken some time ago and thick scarring around his eyes.
He glanced quickly over Jason and then stared at Tony.
“Vincent, I wanted you to meet this guy I ran into earlier today. He might be useful to us.”
Bonocchi didn’t answer right away but kept looking at Tony.
“This is so important you come over here this evening?” he finally said.
“I knew you’d be in your office, and I figured it best to have you meet him right away.”
“What’s so special I got to meet someone right away?”
Tony looked a bit uncomfortable, Jason thought. That wasn’t going to help.
“I apologize. If this ain’t a good time, I can bring him back tomorrow.”
Vincent seemed to have accomplished the effect he wanted and eased the pressure. “You already interrupted me, so tell me why I need to meet this guy.”
It felt odd to Jason, being spoken about as if he weren’t present.
“His name’s Jason. Me and my crew were at the Baker Street Bar and this guy was there. One of the regulars, a tough guy who pushes his weight around with the other locals, started in on him. To make a long story short, they went outside and within two minutes, Jason walks back in, untouched, after sending Mack home with his friends.”
Vincent just stared at Tony. The whole scenario now seemed a bit ridiculous to Jason as Tony explained it. There was a long uncomfortable silence.
Finally, Vincent spoke. “A guy beats up a local street tough, someone you keep in line by yourself, and you think I should meet him?”
“You make it sound kind of dumb, the way you put it.”
“You think so?”
“But the guy can handle himself and he’s had experience in keeping people in line. I know we can always use help in that area.”
Vincent finally turned to look at Jason. “You’re a tough guy?”
Jason paused, wondering how best to answer. Finally, he said, “I can handle myself.”
“You new in town. Where are you from?”
“Knoxville.”
“What’d you do there?”
Jason gave Vincent a simple story about working for the Chairman. With Tony’s advice in the back of his mind, he set it up so that his leaving wouldn’t be interpreted as being disloyal.
Vincent listened without interruption.
“What’s Knoxville using for power?” he asked after Jason had completed his story.
The question caught him off guard.
“They’re using water power to generate electricity. From the Tennessee River.”
“Do they know there’s a coal mine south of them?”
Jason decided to play dumb. He didn’t know how much Vincent knew about the Chairman or what went on in Knoxville. He shrugged. “I never talked about that with anyone. Electricity wasn’t my job.”
“Your job was just keeping people in line. You bust heads? You kill anyone? How much of a tough guy are you?”
Vincent’s face was screwed up in a hard, questioning, almost challenging look.
“I busted a few heads when necessary. I found it better to use persuasion and the threat of a busted head. People’s imaginations can come up with more terrifying things than I can threaten them with. I would put out a few suggestions and then let them imagine the rest.”
“You’re a psychologist, are you?”
Jason shook his head. “Nah. Just someone who figured out a few things about people.”
“You go to Hillsboro after you left town?”
Jason thought this might be a point to enhance his desirability. “I stopped there and checked them out, but decided I wanted to get to the big time, here in Charlotte.”
“Was Stansky there when you came through?”
Jason played dumb. “Who’s that?”
“He ran the town.”
“I didn’t hear about anyone by that name. The town’s run by a city council as far as I can tell.”
Vincent told Jason to wait outside. After he left the room, Vincent turned to Tony. “We don’t know nothing about this guy. It sounds too pat to me. He comes in the bar where you, conveniently, are sitting. Gets into a fight and impresses you and you fall for it. You decide he’s the next great enforcer.”
“It ain’t like that boss. He is new to town. He’s got no ID card, didn’t even know about converting gold into to scrip. He had no way of knowing who we were and the other guy was the one who started the fight. It didn’t look staged at all.”
Vincent sat back. “All right. You can bring him on board, but he’s your responsibility. He fucks up, it’s on you.” He pointed at Tony. “Find a situation that compromises him. Something to test if he really is a tough guy and willing to bust heads. Then maybe you can trust him.”
Outside the office, Jason stood in the middle of the reception room.
“Take a seat, Ears said. “You make me nervous just standing there.”
Jason sat down across from the desk where Ears sat.
“You box?” Jason asked.
Ears gave him a long look before answering.
“Used to.”
“You must have done well, you’re a big guy. You fight as a heavyweight?”
“Yeah. I did okay.”
“How high did you rank?”
“Never got to any title bouts, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Still, I’m guessing you did all right. You join this group after the EMP attack?”
Ears looked at Jason for a long moment. “You got a lot of questions.”
“Just trying to make conversation.”
“Well, don’t.”
He turned back to an old magazine that was on the desk.
Tony came out of the office and motioned for Jason to come with him.
“You’re in luck. Vincent says you can join my crew. You work for me now. I’ll get you an ID card in the morning and some scrip. I’ll set you up in a hotel room. Ain’t fancy but it’ll do.”
“What will I be doing?”
“What I tell you to do. We make sure people have paid their taxes. We also collect vagrants, slackers, and trouble makers. We’re peace keepers.” He smiled at what seemed to be an inside joke.
“Guys like Mack?”
“No. Mack’s an asshole but he works hard, so we give him some slack.”
&nb
sp; “Well, thanks for giving me a chance, Tony.”
“Just don’t make me regret it. Vincent’s not so sure about you.”
“Okay. I have to tell you one thing, I got a gun in my backpack, a 9mm. It’s one of the reasons why I didn’t want to go through the checkpoints.”
Tony gave him a long look. “That’s a surprise I wouldn’t have wanted. You keep it, but don’t go flashing it around. Makes civilians nervous.”
He took Jason to a local hotel that rented rooms by the hour, day, week or month.
“Meet me at Vincent’s office tomorrow. You wait outside until I get there.”
After Tony left, Jason sat in his room and thought about his next move. They’re going to test me, set me up to beat someone. I’ll have to figure out how to do it without inflicting too much damage. Getting the information he needed might take some time, but he now had identified the street boss of a crew and his boss, a capo in the hierarchy. This was the mob and they seemed to be running a large part of the city. But was there another power structure above them, using the mob as an enforcement tool? Hopefully he could find out.
Chapter 11
___________________________________
T he next day Jason accompanied Tony to a small store. It sold meats. Cured hams and venison and sausages made from a combination of pork and venison.
“This guy’s got some great tasting sausages. When pasta is available, we can make some tasty meals. The wine still ain’t so good, but it’s getting better.”
“Why are we here?” Jason asked.
“He keeps coming up short on his weekly payments. He’s got records to prove he ain’t making much money, but I don’t buy it. The food’s too good.”
“You post anyone to watch and see how many customers come in the store?”
“Yeah, but I don’t get an accurate count. Anyway, I’m not letting him give me any more excuses. Vincent says we got to get tough. No one gets to slide.” Tony turned to Jason as they approached the store. “That’s where you come in. Time to show me how you get people in line.”
“You want the money, the payment? Or just a busted head.”
“The money. But he’s got to understand to not try to scam us again. Word of that can’t get around.”
They entered the store. Tony leaned close to Jason. “His daughter works with him. She could be leverage. Probably wouldn’t want to see her old man get beaten. Let’s see what you can do.”
“Mr. Lucho, what brings you in today, some fresh sausage?”
“Frank it’s time for you to get current. I’m here to collect.”
“I told you business is slow. I got a supply problem and my customers aren’t coming by like before. If I can’t make the sausages, they stop coming. I’ll be able to pay you something next week. And hopefully I’ll get some meat soon and can get my volume back up again.” The man shook his head and looked sad. “Right now it’s tough.”
Just then an attractive woman came out of the back room, wiping her hands on an apron. She stepped behind the counter to stand next to the man. She had dark, shoulder length hair that framed a pale face. Her eyes were dark and penetrating, her lips full. The effect was a slightly sultry look layered over an innocence of youth.
“Good to see you, Ramona,” Tony said.
She nodded without answering.
“Frank, this is Jason. He’s helping me collect. He’s not a very patient man, and you’re going to have to deal with him.”
Jason looked around the shop. It looked to be in good shape, better than most in these post-EMP times. Maybe the man’s business was down, but if not, why would he try to scam the mob? That could be dangerous. Tony expected to see Jason take some action right in front of the daughter.
“Frank, is it?” Jason said.
The man nodded.
“Frank, show me the back room. I’m interested in how you make your sausage.”
He motioned for the man to come out from behind the counter. Jason noticed that Frank motioned for his daughter to stay. Enough customer traffic so he doesn’t want the counter unattended? They walked into the back room.
There was a large assembly table in the middle with racks for drying and curing hams along one wall. One the other wall was a commercial stove and a large walk-in cooler stood in the back. Two meat grinders were attached to the counter along with a stuffing machine.
“Bet that cooler takes a lot of energy to run.”
“That’s the problem. Even if business is down, I got to pay for the electricity, that’s what Tony collects. And if I don’t have any business, it’s hard to pay. I still need to buy meat.”
“You seem to be doing pretty well. Your store’s neat and clean.” Jason poked around, looking into a side room, opening the cooler, which held a good supply of ingredients for making the sausage.
He turned to the man. “Frank, I’d have to say, it looks like you’re holding back from Tony. And that doesn’t seem to be very smart, or healthy on your part.”
“But I’m not, business—”
Jason grabbed the man by his collar. He hoped he could impress him without resorting to violence. “Don’t give me that crap,” he said, his voice low and threatening. “You already went through that song and dance out front. You’re not being smart. First, what you’re doing is going to get you physically hurt. Second, you have a beautiful daughter and you’re putting her in danger.”
“Don’t you touch Ramona.”
“I won’t, but others might. Don’t be a fool. Pay the man what he’s owed. Tony can’t have you stiff him and he’ll target Ramona next.”
“But I need some time.”
Jason had seen enough. He turned and went back out front. Tony stood at the counter. He gave Jason a questioning look. Jason stood looking around. If he’s holding out, where’s he putting the scrip? He didn’t think there were any banks operating yet. Frank followed Jason out from the back room.
“Frank,” Jason said without looking at him, “maybe we visit your home, where you live. Maybe we go through it and find the money you’re holding out. That work for you?” He kept his eyes on Ramona.
The girl’s face didn’t register any sudden look of anxiety.
Frank’s voice was calm. “You can do that. You won’t find anything there. Just don’t break things needlessly.”
Jason stepped behind the counter. He scanned the details, looking for something out of place. Ramona was standing at the cash register, an old mechanical one. On the floor next to her was a small, padded rug. Something wasn’t right. She wasn’t standing on the rug. It should be at the register, to pad your feet when you’re standing there.
“Ramona, come out from there,” Jason told her.
She looked at him, now with more concern in her face.
“Get out and stand by your dad,” Jason said.
She came over to her father. Jason walked to the register. He stooped down and pulled the rug away. The girl tried to stifle a small gasp, but Jason heard it.
Jason knelt down and took out his 9mm. He gently tapped the butt of the handle on the floor, starting from under the cash register. The sound was solid. As he moved towards where the rug had been, the sound went hollow. Jason stopped and looked up. Tony was leaning over the counter.
“What’s up with that?” Tony asked.
“Sounds loose,” Jason replied. “And it was covered by the rug. Better keep an eye on the two of them.”
Jason felt around for a loose board. He couldn’t find anything and stood up.
“There’s nothing there,” Frank said. “I’ve been telling the truth.”
Without answering, Jason walked into the back room and grabbed a large knife. Going back behind the counter, he began to pry at the boards with the knife. Finally, he got one to lift and quickly pulled it and the others out. Underneath was a small cavity between the floor joists and inside it was a metal cash box. Jason pulled it out and put it on the counter.
“That’s my savings.” Frank said.
“That’s not yours,” Ramona added.
Tony glared at the two of them. He held out his hand for the kitchen knife. Jason handed it to him and Tony pried the lid open. Inside was a large stack of the local scrip along with a pile of gold jewelry.
“Frank, you’ve been lying to me,” Tony said in a dangerous voice.
“No, I haven’t, I—”
“Shut up,” Tony said.
“That should cover his missing payments,” Jason said. “Let me talk to him again.”
Tony nodded as he started counting the money.
Jason went over to Frank and grabbed him by the arm.
“You leave him alone,” Ramona shouted. She grabbed Jason’s arm.
Jason released her father and turned to her. He put his hand around her wrist and squeezed tight. Her eyes widened at the pressure he exerted but her face remained defiant.
He leaned towards her. “If you have any sense, you’ll stop and shut up. Things could go very bad right now if you don’t.” Jason’s look left no doubt. She released his arm. He turned and pushed Frank into the back room.
“Now I don’t have a lot of time. I’m trying to save you from a serious beating, or worse. Tony has to save face. You’ve embarrassed him. Luckily it wasn’t in front of the rest of his crew or you would be a bloody mess on the floor.”
“But that’s all my savings.”
“Shut up and listen. Ramona is in danger now. You’re going to lose all that’s in the box. Tony isn’t going to negotiate with you at this point. You tried to stiff him.”
“But they always take more than they should.”
“That’s the way it is. You’re stuck with them in charge. If you don’t like it, tell the city council to stop them.” Jason went on without waiting for a reply. “Here’s what you’re going to do. You pay Tony, or whoever he sends every week. You don’t give them any trouble. The next step is they take Ramona. They might put her in a brothel or worse. In any case you lose your daughter.”