The Scorpion's Tale (18 page)

Pete was visibly irritated. “Damn it Nick,
what the hell did you do that for? My girlfriend just bought me
these clothes, and I was wearing them for her tonight.”

“You can swap clothes with Jackie Cairo,”
Louie howled.

Louie and Jerry enjoyed a good laugh at
Pete’s expense, watching him scrape chunks of Cairo’s head off his
clothing.

“What are we going to do now?” Pete asked,
still irritated. “You swore to Alberto you weren’t going to kill
him!”

“I’ll deal with Alberto,” Nick replied. “As
for being our only lead, I don’t have a name yet, but at least I
know they’re in Rio. We’ll find them. I promise.”

“Wait a minute,” Louie said, looking
confused. “You told Cairo you already knew they were from Rio,
didn’t you?”

“I told him, but I was bluffing. I didn’t
know they were from Rio. I guessed. It was the only city in Brazil
I knew.”

“Wow,” Jerry said, impressed. “That was
really smart.”

Nick rolled his eyes. “Get him in the trunk
and let’s get the hell out of here! Whoever these guys are, they’re
going to figure out we whacked Cairo, and they’ll be looking for
us.”

-------------------

Nick drove to Alberto’s New Jersey mansion
where he took a shower and changed clothes. He came downstairs and
found Alberto comfortably seated in his easy chair, reading the New
York Times. Alberto folded the newspaper and removed his glasses.
“You look like crap, Nick. What happened?”

Nick finished pouring himself a scotch. “We
had a run-in with Jackie Cairo.”

Alberto nodded. “Where did you find him?”

“Soho.”

“What did he tell you?”

Nick gulped his scotch. “Tony was clean, and
so was Giovanna’s brother. Joey and Sal were running their own
operation, diverting some computers for themselves.”

“Scumbags!” Alberto yelled, as he pounded the
table. “I knew they were useless morons. I should have sent them to
the Gates of Hell with a bullet in their heads long ago! Still, I
find this interesting,” Alberto mused.

“What do you mean?”

“Tony was nothing more than a fence. Based on
the $5,000 a month you collected from him for me, Tony was only
grossing $50,000 per month. Why would someone hire the Scorpion to
kill people on two continents for that kind of cash flow?”

Nick nodded. “Yeah, that doesn’t make
sense.”

Alberto cocked his head toward Nick. “I only
found out that Tony was living in the Hamptons on the fucking water
when he was killed. If he grossed fifty grand, after expenses he’d
be lucky to net thirty, which is not enough for what he was
spending unless he was holding back from me. You don’t find his
expenses unusual? Fuck, Nick, you knew where he lived–he was under
you! Didn’t you think something was wrong? The guy is paying five
grand a month to me, but lives like a multi-millionaire!”

Nick shrugged. “Now that you mention it.”

Alberto stroked his chin. “Nick, I’m sure you
agree that Sal and Joey were idiots and stealing some computers is
chicken shit money. So now I’m supposed to believe that these two
sub-morons had a contract placed on them that costs millions for
stealing pennies?”

Nick look mystified. “I’m still not following
you.”

Alberto looked flustered. “C’mon, Nick.
There’s more to this. To justify the hits, millions would have to
be stolen. Tony was obviously holding back from giving you the
right commission. If I knew Tony was stealing from me, I would have
put out the contract myself.”

Nick stared at his uncle. “So you think Tony
was holding out?”

“What did I just say? It’s the only thing
that makes sense!”

Nick pondered his uncle’s theory. “Any idea
what Tony was into?”

Alberto shrugged. “No, but let’s think about
this.” Alberto cut the end of a Cuban cigar, lit it, and then took
a long draw. Alberto leaned back in his chair and smiled at his
nephew, slowly expelling the fragrant smoke. “Tony had to have a
great business making millions.”

Nick nodded. “Yeah, Tony was definitely
making good coin. No question about that.”

“So follow me. Tony’s company is doing
business with these Brazilians and Joey and Sal get greedy and
start screwing around. The Brazilians get angry when they find out
what’s going on, but it’s not for a few computers–it’s for
something else. But put yourself in their shoes. What’s the next
logical move for these Brazilians if they’re smart
businessmen?”

“That’s easy. They do exactly what they did
to send a message to all of their associates in New York.”

Alberto frowned. “Yes, I think that’s what
they
wanted
everyone to believe, but who are they really
trying to impress? I’ve never even heard of these people, so how
much business could they be doing here if we haven’t heard of them?
Do you know anyone that’s actually doing business with them?”

Nick shrugged, forgetting to mention Cairo’s
reference to the Colombians. “Well, no, now that you mention it,
I’m not even sure who these guys are.”

Alberto took another draw off his cigar and
pensively stroked his chin. “That’s my point. All these people from
JTS are dead, and we still don’t even know who these Brazilians
are. What kind of message have they sent? I sure as hell haven’t
gotten the message, have you?”

Nick looked confused. “When you put it that
way, I guess not.”

“So who is really getting the message? That’s
all I’m saying.”

“What does it matter how much business they
were doing in New York?” Nick asked.

Alberto sipped his drink and contemplated how
he could make it clear to his nephew. Nick was street smart with
amazing natural instincts, but when it came to logic, he was
clueless. “The Brazilians probably had a great thing going with
JTS, so what’s going to matter more; the people putting money in my
pocket, or my reputation among strangers in New York that don’t
even know who I am? Now do you see where I’m going with this?”

“I think so,” Nick said, trying not to let on
that he had no idea what his uncle was talking about.

“If I’m upset with the people at JTS and I
want to send a message, I don’t come here and wipe out everybody in
the business, because then I’m cutting off my nose to spite my
face! What I do is pay JTS a friendly visit, tell them I know
everything that’s going on, and encourage them to play by the
rules. Maybe I rough them up, or maybe I even kill somebody. We’ve
been highly successful using these methods. But, I’m certainly not
going to kill the goose that laid the golden egg, which is exactly
what these jerks did by wiping out everyone! This is especially
true since Sal and Joey were stealing from Tony, and Tony was
stealing from me but not from his customers.”

Nick finally comprehended. “Well, maybe
they’re just stupid hotheads! They got pissed off and overreacted!
I can certainly relate.”

Alberto smiled. “I thought of that. It would
be plausible if these guys came over here and shot up the city like
the Jamaican Posse Comitatus, but they didn’t. They hired the
Scorpion for millions, which convinces me they put a lot of thought
into these executions. Then they sent their hit man into the
mountains of Italy to kill some poor kid and his parents! That’s
not our way, Nick! Something bigger is going on.”

“Maybe they’ve got someone else to take over
their business in New York.”

Alberto nodded. “That’s certainly
possible.”

Nick sipped his scotch and looked admiringly
at his uncle, who was still the smartest man he knew.

“So that’s why nothing adds up, Nick,”
Alberto said. “I have to believe that someone has muscled in on
Tony’s operation and has used these hits as a cover.”

Nick remained silent.

“I want to know who these people are,”
Alberto demanded.

“Cairo didn’t give us a name. All we know is
that these guys are in Rio.” Nick looked away from Alberto,
slightly embarrassed. “I had to kill him.”

Alberto look disgusted. “Yes, I figured that
out when I saw you walk through the door. That’s probably going to
bring unwanted repercussions.”

Nick finished his scotch. “I’m sorry, Uncle.
I should have done a better job with him. I didn’t mean to cause
you any inconvenience.”

Alberto waved his hand, dismissing Nick’s
concerns. “Ah, don’t worry about it. Jackie Cairo is not worth the
sweat off my balls!”

“Uncle, I want to find these guys. Before he
died, Jackie said that Gia and I were as good as dead. We have to
do everything possible to protect Giovanna. She’s my first
priority.”

“You’re not thinking straight,” Alberto
cautioned, with a concerned expression on his face. “You’re letting
your emotions get in the way. This girl has you tangled up in
knots, and I don’t want you making it personal! I’ve seen what
happens when you make things personal.”

Nick looked forlornly at his uncle. “I really
care for Giovanna.”

Alberto scowled. “How many times have I heard
you say something like that?”

Nick shook his head. “You don’t understand,
Uncle…I think she’s the one. I’m absolutely crazy about her.”

Alberto shot a skeptical look at his nephew,
but softened when he realized Nick was sincere. “Nick, I just can’t
trust you when it comes to women. We can’t go to war over a woman.
It’s bad business. Have you read the story about Helen of Troy? It
didn’t turn out well for the Trojans.” Alberto smiled as he leaned
forward and rubbed his nephew’s shoulder. “I don’t have to tell you
that it will also be bad for our own health! A lot of people may
get killed, maybe even you and your Giovanna. I simply cannot have
that happen! I’m sure you understand, Nick.”

“I do…but I love her.”

Alberto sat back in his chair. He adored his
nephew but Nick lacked any credibility when it came to women. “I’ve
also heard you say that once before and it turned out badly for
you.”

“Amanda?”

Alberto nodded. “Yes, Amanda.”

Alberto was thinking about his dead brother
and how he had pledged an oath to always protect Nick, his
brother’s son. Alberto broke the silence. “You cannot do this. I
forbid it. She must return to Italy.”

Nick looked hurt. “I don’t know that I can
live without her.”

“Then return with her to San Remo and protect
her there. If you feel this way about her in six months, we’ll
revisit her coming back. You both cannot remain here until I have
had time to figure out what these people are doing.”

Nick thought about his uncle’s proposition.
“She’s very stubborn. In fact, she’s a mule. She wants to find her
family’s killer, and I’m going to have a very hard time convincing
her.”

Alberto grinned. “Good, maybe you’ve met your
match. Meanwhile
you
must be persuasive. If she chooses to
remain in New York, she does it alone, and you will not see her. If
she chooses to return to San Remo, she can take you with her. When
are you seeing her again?”

“I’m meeting her for dinner now.”

“Good, then tell her tonight. Call me after
dinner. I want to know how it goes.”

Nick nodded as he stood to leave. He bent
down and kissed his uncle’s cheek. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Alberto said. After Nick
left, Alberto picked up the phone and called his counterpart in
Sicily.

-------------------

Giovanna was waiting in the lobby of the
hotel. Nick had described her in great detail so that Louie would
have no problem finding her. Louie approached the beautiful woman
standing by the concierge desk. “Giovanna?” he asked
tentatively.

Giovanna turned towards him.

“I’m Louie. Nick sent me to pick you up. He
and Pete got a little dirty at the worksite and wanted to clean up
before dinner.”

Giovanna smiled and extended her hand. “It’s
nice to meet you Louie. I’m happy to know that Nick and his friends
are practicing good personal hygiene.”

Louie snorted. “Good hygiene! Oh, that’s
classic! I like that.” He grinned at her. “You’re okay in my book,
princess.” He extended his arm toward the door. “Your car awaits
you, and your driver tonight will be Jerry,” Louie said, pointing
toward the big man in the front seat.

Jerry smiled at her through the rearview
mirror. “Boy, you’ve got a terrific smile, do you know that?”

Louie smacked Jerry in the arm. “Let’s go,
fuckhead. Stop flirting with our guest!”

Jerry shot a dirty look at Louie. “Hey Louie,
let’s not use any bad language in front of the lady, okay?”

Louie turned around and winked at Giovanna,
then turned towards Jerry. “Ok, Jerry. I’m sorry.”

Satisfied with Louie’s apology, Jerry turned
the car and headed downtown.

-------------------

Nick and Pete were seated in the restaurant
when Giovanna walked through the front door, followed closely by
Louie and Jerry. They stood and Giovanna kissed Nick playfully on
the cheek. Nick glanced over her shoulder at Jerry and Louie. Louie
was giving him the “thumbs up.”

“Hi stranger,” she whispered. “How was the
rest of your day?”

Nick gazed into her eyes. He felt terrible
about having to tell her that she couldn’t remain in New York. “It
was just an ordinary day.”

“You look tired, Nick. How did it go?”

Nick shrugged. “We found Jackie and we had a
nice chat.”

Giovanna looked at him skeptically. “You
didn’t hurt him, did you?”

The waiter brought the wine to the table,
giving Nick a momentary reprieve. Giovanna’s eyes were fixed on
his, and she was expecting an answer.

Nick rolled his eyes. “Actually, Jackie was
extremely uncooperative at first,” he said, avoiding her question.
“But after a few minutes, he came around and gave us some
information.”

“What kind of information?” she asked
excitedly.