by S. W. Frank
“And my career, what about that?”
“You can open a dance studio anywhere and hire someone to run the business here and fly in quarterly or whenever you like.”
“So, you also made plans for my life without talking to me.”
“You never said where you’ll have to relocate for this job. Is it Puerto Rico?”
This was the part of the conversation he dreaded. “No.” His mouth tugged downward. “Sicily.”
Tiffany’s eyes widened. “Are you telling me, you plan to move to another country where they speak another language and you expect me to be okay with that?”
“No, I’m telling you I have an opportunity to get the hell out of here. Everywhere I look I see my past girl. Every goddamn time I pass a familiar street or see the NYPD logo on side of a car I get angry…dammit…I’m angry and I need a release!”
Tiffany was on her feet shaking her head. “I’m angry too Tony. I’m angry that you feel your life got hijacked. I’m angry that the courts failed you. I’m angry that you spent years hurting behind cell bars when you did what any man would do to defend himself against a mugger, but paid because a white man was killed. But baby, I’m tired of being an accessory in your life.” She took off the ring and slammed it on the table. “Go to Italy…Sicily or wherever the hell you want. When you’re ready to move forward in this relationship then I’ll be here waiting…I swear I will…because I love you enough to wait and I love you enough to let you go!”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Honking cabs, well-dressed pedestrians casually walking as they window shopped is what Nico and Bianca arrived to find in the Diamond District. Surrounded by New York City attractions, the famed Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the area was always busy.
Street merchants were located in close proximity of one another. This is where diamonds were cut and traded. Jewelers offered a tremendous variety of precious goods at competitive prices and industry expertise was free if the customer was buying.
They were let out of a cab on 47th and Fifth. Like many of the understated wealthy couples they strolled casually in midtown with determined strides to a specific destination.
Clad in a long black coat, an oversize Gucci bag, tinted shades and a blonde wig, Bianca was stunning. Nico observed the discreet glances at her and wondered if her appearance might prove disadvantageous. He adjusted his thick rimmed glasses which were actually video recording spectacles, checked his watch and walked faster. Bianca took his arm as they walked, which was something Ari often did. “Are we late?” she asked with a slight twist of her neck to look up at his profile.
“Six minutes early.”
“Bene.”
“English only. Do not forget.”
“Sí,” she said.
He frowned. “English.”
Natural ruby lips puckered. “I am sorry.”
He dismissed the apology when they reached a rectangular building with a polished glass window. On the ground level there was a display of quality gems settings. This was the place, it smelled of greed. This particular business was a block from the Diamond Dealers Club. Considering the value of a single day's trade on the block average nearly half a billion would usually have a higher police presence. However, today the uniforms were scarce especially on this particular block.
Nico pressed the buzzer, spoke a fictitious name in the intercom and they were buzzed in. They were immediately greeted by a clerk who expected their arrival. Here customers were given appointments, background checks and financial inspection.
Nico was a wealthy businessman from South Africa, originally from the Netherlands. Mr. Johansson and his wife were on vacation and the missus wanted to purchase a necklace. Tiffany’s and the other high-end retailers were out of the question because his wife was rather frugal.
“Welcome…welcome,” the man of average height said. Balding with droopy eyes from looking through magnifying glasses, his joviality and robust cheeks were in sync with the festive Christian holiday he did not celebrate. This was Seth Meyer’s brother.
“Thank you.” Nico smiled, discreetly taking in the one clerk behind a counter and the open door in a far corner which was the jeweler’s work station.
“I’ve prepared some items to show you, please come with me,” he said, leading the way to a private display room adjacent to a rear exit where a security officer stood with his gun.
Three total as expected. The plan if flawlessly executed would have them out before the next customer arrived at eleven. As discussed Bianca spotted an item in the display case right before they reached the backroom. “Dear, look that would be a lovely gift for my sister.”
She broke away and peered at a necklace which prompted the woman clerk to saunter down near the end of the glass case away from the emergency buzzer.
“Would you like to try it on?” The lady asked Bianca as she unlocked the clear door.
“Certainly.” Bianca smiled innocently as Nico and the jeweler waited outside the room for her to be done.
“My wife,” Nico shrugged like men do when women are impulsive and hold things up. He put his hands in his pockets, shifted slightly toward the guard with a harmless grin and fired the weapon concealed in his pocket without shattering the quiet. The man dropped and Nico grabbed the jeweler in a sleeper hold and rendered him unconscious.
In the act of dragging the man inside the room he observed Bianca had rendered the saleswoman immobile by her gun. She directed the woman to the backroom where Nico dropped the jeweler on the floor.
Bianca gestured the woman to a chair, bound her hands and feet with the heavy tape removed her bag and then sealed her mouth. She used the woman’s silk scarf to tie her eyes before proceeding to assist Nico with the jeweler’s limbs which he tied with cord.
The guard was brought out of sight and secured as well. In silence they searched the facility, disabled the cameras, and ensured the entrances and exits were locked. Bianca took up post at the display case in the event anyone peered inside, minus coat and shades of course. To wear the outer garments would attract suspicion and that’s not what they wanted.
Nico shut the door, knelt to remove a nasal inhalant along with a sharp scalpel. He never removed his gloves. There wouldn’t be any time to sanitize prints. He hoped Bianca remembered not to touch anything up front with bare hands.
The small bottle was placed at the jeweler’s hairy nostril and squeezed. He coughed awake, eyes opened and when he went to sit forward found he couldn’t. “Take whatever you want,” he said. “Please I have a family.”
Nico ignored the plea. “I’ll ask a question. Answer. If you don’t answer satisfactorily I take a finger.”
The man’s eyes bulged. “Okay…okay.”
“Did you buy diamonds from a South African named Gamba?” Was Nico’s test question.
“Yes…yes.”
“Who assisted in getting the clearance for the shipments?”
There was a hesitation from the man. Nico covered the man’s mouth and severed his pinky. The heat of the man’s gulps warmed Nico’s leather encased palm. The eyes which had bulged were wet as the pain of the missing digit shot up his arm. When he quieted to a whimper, Nico’s hand retracted. “Let’s do this again,” he said and placed the scalpel to another finger.
“Wait…Don Vecchio…Vecchio!”
“That wasn’t so bad was it?”
The man cried buckets. “Please…please…I have money…take it.”
“No thank you. But I do have more questions…” Nico started but the sound of the front buzzer cut his words.
“That is my eleven o'clock appointment. He has come early. But he will
know something’s wrong if I am not here.” The jeweler babbled.
Nico taped his mouth to watch the monitor. Bianca buzzed in the customer. They talked, the case was being opened and jewelry placed on the counter. Bianca wore a smile which enamored the man apparently because he boldly touched her hand. She pulled it back, but Nico had this feeling, killers often do when something is not as it seems. He looked at the screen and noticed the shoes were black sneakers. The coat although wool, from the clarity of the film was cheap quality. Before he could stand, the man’s hand brandished a weapon and shoved the barrel against Bianca’s cheek. A robbery at 10:36 in the morning. This was not the rich customer the jeweler expected, but an amateur thief.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Bathed, fed and sexed had restored a portion of Alfonzo’s lost energy. He wasn’t yet one hundred percent, but hell he wasn’t dead either. He’d managed to complete a few push-ups. His body groaned lazily and he pushed past muscular complaints. Get the blood circulating, tighten the muscles loosened from the days of sedentary living, is the motivational speech he repeated to keep moving. Working against gravity he did a handstand, letting the blood rush to his head, curled his legs and then bent his arms several times to go up and down until the moans became acceptance.
The door opened and Anita stood there. “Buenos dias, I see you’re doing better,” she said.
Alfonzo stood upright and then flopped on the bed. “Yeah. What’s up?”
“Sergio wants to speak with you.”
Alfonzo sighed. He considered sending his cousin away but figured what the hell. “Let him up.”
Anita gave an affectionate smile. “I am glad you are better. Do not overdo it. Get back in bed and I will bring you lunch soon.”
“You’re trying to turn me into an invalid.”
“No, these are your wife’s orders. She says you need the rest because you have neglected yourself too long.” Anita waved her hands at him. “Now back to bed ahora!”
Alfonzo felt like a kid as he climbed in bed and Anita came to tuck the covers around him, squeezed his cheeks and then departed.
Alfonzo chuckled.
Then as he snuggled to the pillow, Sergio entered. “Hey Alfonzo, I didn’t know you were sick. Are you all right?”
Alfonzo noticed the bruising to his cousin. “What the fuck happened to your face?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing swelled your lip, okay.”
Sergio shrugged. “Matteo and I had a misunderstanding.”
Alfonzo slid up. “Matteo paid you a visit?”
“Yeah, but it’s cool.”
Alfonzo squinted. “Are you sure Sergio that I don’t need to talk to Matteo?”
“Nah, nah, I’m going to Italy and pay him a personal visit. I came tell you I’m leaving.”
“Leaving?”
“Yeah. I’m going to stay with Lucia. I asked her to marry me.”
“Did Matteo strong arm you to make that decision?”
“It doesn’t matter. I love Lucia.” Sergio sat on the foot of the bed. “Tell me something though cuz, how do you keep your relationship fresh and the love solid?”
Alfonzo closed his eyes for a moment and opened them with a scoff. Sergio had a lot to learn, didn’t he? “Every relationship is different. I suppose you have to know yourself and what you’re willing to give to make a relationship work. Sergio, nurture her mind and body. Women do that all the time for their men. Be good to her Sergio, don’t lie and cheat. Respect, honor and being loyal is the only way I can love my wife, otherwise I’m saying words I don’t mean. But we’re all different.”
“I envy you man that you’re able to make sense out of shit when I’m still struggling to understand.”
Alfonzo didn’t have a chance to respond. Giuseppe entered, obnoxious and crass as usual. “Why was I not invited to this meeting, eh?” Then he dived on the bed, put his hands behind his head and said, “Okay continue.”
“Man get off my wife’s pillow, she doesn’t want to smell your stink ass underarms!”
“Ah, she has smelled far worse with your breath.”
“You own the bad breath department.”
Sergio grinned at their repartee. Sometimes they acted like kids.
Giuseppe kicked his legs out. “Your beds are always too soft.”
Sergio joined the fun. “This bed is too soft, and this one is too hard…”
“And then the big lug broke the bed down,” Alfonzo finished.
“Because it was too weak to hold someone strong!” Giuseppe admonished.
Sergio’s fist covered his mouth. “Ah, that was good.”
But Alfonzo’s wit wasn’t lost and he countered. “It was built for refined men not jungle beasts who see furniture and think they’re in the woods.”
That got him a slap in the head and a wrestling match ensued. Sergio stood clear. Grown-ass men tussling on a bed is worse than little boys.
They would’ve gone on longer if Emilio hadn’t knocked on the door and then walked in after Alfonzo shouted, “It’s open, turn the damn knob!”
“Holá Alfonzo, Jessica sent me to check on you. She heard you were sick,” Emilio announced.
Alfonzo scowled. "Damn ya'll gathering for the dead or what?"
“She was worried.”
“Tell the chica, I haven’t died yet and for being a pest I’m not leaving her shit in my will.”
Giuseppe roared. “Now that will kill her cugino!”
“I’m going to take off,” Sergio interrupted.
Wise aquatic eyes roamed the faces and settled on the loner who many didn't understand. Earlier Sergio shared his plight and said he envied Alfonzo's life. Alfonzo had to set the record straight because it's something they all needed to hear. "Never envy anybody’s life primo...never think anyone has it easy. I understand what you're dealing with even if other assholes don't. I know how it feels to be told you aren’t shit. That stench follows you everywhere." A finger tapped his sweaty forehead, flushed red by wrestling with Giuseppe. "I changed how I thought about myself; that's when I cleaned away the smell. You’re a solid guy...fuck the negative crap anybody told you...you've proven them wrong. I’m proud of you. Don’t worry I got your back primo… your side and your front.”
Sergio looked down at the floor. Alfonzo had used the word proud, Sergio shook his head. The dude was proud of him…him…the hustler who initially sought to shake down his father for cash, but gained a family. He felt as if he’d hit the lottery. Damn. “Thanks, that means a lot.” On this quest to maturity he went unaided. He swallowed the fear of uncertainty, realizing the future appeared brighter with the support of his family. With a nod he took his leave. During his departure mean ass Giuseppe called his name. Sergio turned around and the words he never thought he'd hear were spoken. "Cazzo, I too am proud that you have grown a pene. Call if you need my assistance. No one beats mio cugino but me, capisce?"
“Yeah...yeah…whatever the hell it is you just said.”
Giuseppe tossed Selange’s pillow at Sergio and then the brothers were at it again.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Bianca placed her hands in the air as the man gathered the jewels from the counter. Perspiration ran from his forehead despite the cold temperature outdoors. He was nervous which is not a good sign.
“I never liked my boss, he was always very mean to me,” she said as a distraction. “I am glad you rob him.”
The man seemed surprised. “He was?”
The robber relaxed. “He’s stupid. Don’t worry I won’t hurt you lady. I just need the money. I got laid off from my job and with Christmas coming…bills…you know?”
“Yes, it is very hard.” Bianca agreed. “There is money in the register.”
He put his hand on the counter before reaching over to open the drawer. The amateur did not wear gloves and Bianca shrugged. She had considered killing him at that moment but decided robbery was a perfect ruse. Let the foolish man explain the bodies when he got caught.
As promised, he did not harm her. In fact as he exited he apologized. “I’m really sorry. Have a Merry Christmas.”
The door closed and Nico stepped out with Bianca’s pocketbook. He tossed her an antiseptic. “Wipe his handprints and yours.”
“But Nico this is perfect.”
Nico overheard the entire conversation. The desperate guy wasn’t a killer. There were three dead bodies in the back room. The poor sucker would get life in prison for committing murder during an armed robbery. No, he didn’t deserve imprisonment for being stupid. Had he come with that rubber gun when the guard was alive, he’d be dead for sure. He vetoed Bianca and cleansed the prints himself. He didn’t have time to debate. There’s no guarantee the guy wouldn’t get caught, but at least the police wouldn’t find any evidence.
Now if he chose to confess, well then that’ll make him a jack-ass.
They were on the street minutes later, strolling with pretentious smiles past windows with holiday decorations. Nico glanced over his shoulder. In front of the jeweler’s shop, the eleven o’clock customer had arrived. His finger was pressed to the buzzer and his face peered in the glass. Had they lingered a moment longer, the body count would have risen to four.
***
Sal and Allie were with Jessica and her mom at the mall shopping for last minute gifts. They had full escorts, nothing new in that area. Allie had often complained about the mean men, but after Africa she was extra friendly to the guards. Selange supposed she felt bad about the way she treated Estefan and wanted to make up for it. There’s no way to do that, though. When someone dies the things you never said dies too.