“I get they tampered with the systems around the port because whoever they have on the inside fixed it so they could get in and out undetected, but what I don’t understand is why there is no trace of anything or anyone leaving the island or along the route back to the city. How the fuck do you transport a significant amount of drugs without leaving a visible trail?”
“They could have transported by air or sea. It’s the conclusion we reached.”
I shake my head. “I’ve checked radar reports, the ferry records, air and shipping logs from the night in question, and followed a camera trail along the island with a clear view of the ocean and the skies, and there is nothing, Joshua. There is no ship on the water or no chopper in the sky. I didn’t detect any suspicious persons or activity on the ferry, and I’ve checked all sailings for a twenty-four-hour period before and after the robbery. I went through the footage very carefully, and it gives us nothing. It’s like they disappeared into thin air.”
“That’s not possible.” He pushes off the counter and straightens up as he scrubs his hands down his face.
“We’re missing something, and I have a feeling it’s the key to everything.”
Chapter Fourteen
Joshua
“Gia has raised valid points,” Massimo says at the next commission meeting, a few days after my ill-advised visit to her apartment.
“Valid points my team should have raised,” Ben adds, frowning. “I’ll have a conversation with Phillip.” Phillip has been Ben’s go-to IT guy formafiosobusiness for years, and he oversees the high-level specialist team at Caltimore Holdings. This team conducts top-secret research and information-gathering reports on behalf of all five families, when the need arises.
“Whoever is behind this is clearly way ahead of us,” Fiero says. Worry lines pucker his brow as he sighs.
“It’s hugely concerning we can’t find any trace.” Cristian props his elbows on the table. “How are we so in the dark with all the resources at our disposal?”
“That’s the million-dollar question.” I remove a piece of lint off the sleeve of my navy jacket.
“I say we grab McDermott and pull him in for questioning.” Caleb drums his fingers on the table. “We don’t need proof to know he’s involved. Let’s torture the prick and get some answers.”
“We need to give Gia more time,” Massimo says. “I am gravely concerned but not enough to burn bridges with our only ally. We can’t go after McDermott without compromising O’Hara and forcing his hand. Remember there are plenty loyal to his brother and plenty who would rather see Liam running the show. Let’s not play into their hands.”
“We can’t do fucking nothing!” Caleb snaps. “It’s been almost a month, and we are no wiser than we were the night our shipment was hijacked. We’re losing ground on the street, and foreign supply is flooding the market. We are losing control. We need less talk and more action.”
It’s a little worrying when my twin is the voice of reason around the table. “I agree with Caleb in relation to the street trade,” I say. “We need to drive the foreign supply out. I propose we send teams ofsoldatiout onto the streets to take out the guys selling that shit. Make an example with a few dealers, which will send a clear message to the others. We follow that up with threats. They buy from us and only us or they’re next.”
“This is why I wanted to distance us from things at street level. This is a waste of our resources and a distraction.” Ben pours water into his glass as he speaks. “Maybe we need to discuss ending the street business permanently this time. Return to bringing product from Colombia solely for our private use, to supply our clubs and enterprises. Let the Irish handle the street business if they want it. They can clean up this mess.”
“Seems only fair when they started it,” Cristian concurs.
“Allegedly. We still have no proof,” Fiero says. “And I don’t agree with Don Mazzone. The street trade is very lucrative.”
“It’s less to do with money and more to do with control. Letting foreigners onto the streets sets a bad precedent,” Massimo says. “It’s why The Commission gave my wife control of all this when she first approached us years ago. If we let them have free rein, what’s to stop them coming after ourother businesses? Or partnering with our enemies when they get greedy and decide they want it all?”
“It’s too risky.” I wet my lips. “What if it’s the Bratva? What if they’re behind this?” I ask, eyeballing the five men around the table. “Things have been acrimonious with them in the recent past, and we drove them out. What if they’ve regrouped and this is revenge?”
“We can’t rule anyone out, but our intel says they are preoccupied with things in Russia and across Europe. It seems unlikely,” Mazzone says.
“But not impossible.” Massimo leans forward, eyeballing each of us in turn. “I propose we implement Joshua’s suggestion to try to regain control of the streets. Caleb, can you handle that?”
My twin nods. He’s getting more hands-on, like we discussed, and this will suit him.
“Joshua, you stick with Gia. See what can be done to move that forward.”
“She’s cooking dinner for him at his place on Saturday. It’s the first time he’s invited her to his home. Hopefully, she might find something useful.” I work hard to keep a neutral expression on my face and not show my distaste.
“Good, let us know immediately if she finds any intel.”
“I think the rest of us should pay the other dons a visit,” Fiero suggests. “Let’s call it a pre-Thanksgiving catch-up. We’ll split the key states between us. Spend a day or two on the ground, talk to thesoldatiand thecapos, see if there is any gossip at ground level that might be helpful.”
“You think the betrayal extends beyond the five families?” Cristian asks.
“Like I said, we can’t rule anything out. We may be enjoying unprecedented peace within all Italian Americanfamiglie,but that doesn’t mean everyone is content. Power corrupts, and donshave been known to change their allegiances.” Massimo sits up straighter in his chair.
