“Why’d you come to me?”
“You’re Luca’s man, right? I heard he supplies.” That was a risk, but I needed to move this conversation forward.
“Where did you hear that?”
I gestured vaguely to the crowd around us. “Word on the street. But, you know what? Forget about it. I can take my business elsewhere.”
I started to turn away, but Kane spoke.
“Stop.” I did as he commanded, biting back a smile as he fell for my bluff. “I don’t deal for Luca, but you can ask him directly.”
I wasn’t sure that was wise, but I didn’t see that I had a choice.
“Where is he?”
Kane shook his head. “He’s not here tonight. He has some business to take care of elsewhere.”
“Is that so?”
Kane pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket, lighting up one with a match. I watched as he inhaled before blowing out a puff of smoke.
“Luca’s a busy man. Little eccentric, too, if you ask me.”
“How’s that?” I couldn’t believe how lucky I was getting with this guy. I suspected that he liked having my full attention and would gossip about his employer as long as I didn’t make him suspicious.
“Oh, you know. Weird interests, almost obsessions. Like his damn pet snake.”
“Snake?”
“Yeah. You know, the one he wears around his neck sometimes. Big mother fucker.”
Okay.We were getting off track now.
“The snake. Right.” I had no idea what he was talking about, but it seemed like a good idea to play along. Kane took another drag off his cigarette.
“And lately, he’s been obsessed with that piece of land.”
Jackpot.
“Yeah? What land?”
Kane shrugged. “Some empty lot just outside of town. Nothing but a big empty field. Not sure what the hell his deal is with it, but all he’s talked about lately is buying the damn thing. He had a fit the other night when that real estate guy told him he wouldn’t sell it.”
My stomach clenched. I couldn’t believe that Kane was talking about the man that was murdered. It felt almost too good to be true, but I wasn’t going to question it. My gut told me that this man was a good source of information, and it was right.
“Did Luca say anything else about that guy?” I asked as Kane tossed his cigarette butt onto the ground with the ember still lit. When he looked at me again, I could have sworn that I saw a hint of suspicion in his glassy eyes.
“You know, you ask a lot of questions.” Kane looked between Alex and me. “You gotta thing for Luca, or what?”
I gave a weak smile as Kane laughed at his own inquiry. It looked like this conversation was over. Just in time, too. I was next to fight.
“Come on,” I said to Alex, gesturing with my head to a spot further from the crowd. I needed to wrap my hands and shed my shirt.
“What the hell was that?” Alex asked in a demanding tone while following along behind me.
“Friendly small talk,” I said without turning to look at him.
“Bullshit.”
