Like any well-bred Italian, I open my palms in front of me and shake them. “It’s a case I’m working.”
He points his wine glass at me. “Drop it.”
“I can’t. Too important.” I slice the air and meet his gaze without blinking. That last part, I learned from my cat.
He leans back in his chair, closes his eyes, and to anyone else, he’d look asleep. However, I bet he’s thinking over all the possible consequences of what he says next and how it could benefit Vincent Vitale.
I grab a few fried rings and chew while I wait.
“You tell no one you heard this from me. Capice?”
“Vinny, it’s me. Sam.”
“The former FBI agent.”
“Did I ever turn you in?”
“I know, but this is different. You got no government to protect you if she comes after you. All you got is that bum.”
“Former SEAL bum.”
“Mmm.” Using a fork, he scrapes a few calamari onto his appetizer plate. Then, he stabs one and brings it to his mouth.
He chews, swallows, and sips his wine while I wait, face impassive. His machinations don’t intimidate me. Growing up, my mom used the same tactics and is probably twice as proficient at it.
Reaching for the fine Barolo, I pour a glass, swirl, and sniff. Pleased with the aroma, I sip and raise one brow when he clears his throat.
“Anne Gallo owns a large prostitution ring, some drug trafficking.”
“Import, export?”
“Exactly.”
“Would she be capable of murder?”
He snorts. “Is da pope catholic? If she learns you’re looking into her, we won’t find your body. You’ll just show up missing. You want dat? Huh? How will the bum feel if you’re gone?”
His words hit home. Suds would be devastated.
“Okay. I’ll think abouddit.” I use his vernacular to emphasize I’m serious.
“Good girl.”
We eat the rest of the meal and chat about what my mom was like as a girl. I love hearing stories of Bensonhurst back then.
He sighs. “So many have moved to Staten Island or Jersey. I’m thinking I should go, too.”
I can’t imagine my uncle out of Brooklyn but I understand. These days, the neighborhood looks more like Chinatown.
“How’s your new living arrangements?” He grins.
I don’t like his smile so I put up my guard. “Fine, why?”
“Nothin’. I heard it was noisy.”
“Nope, everything’s copacetic.”
“Huh.”
