“No one said they were smart,” Pagano adds.
“What happened with yoursoldato?” Ben asks Fiero. “Has he made any progress? Could he possibly identify if the cartel were involved or not?”
“He was made, and I had to send him and his family into hiding for their protection,” Fiero says.
“Shame that’s a dead end, but whoever planned this knew it was a suicide mission for sure,” I agree. “It’s why they were given pills. They probably hoped they’d succeed before they were taken out or taken in. Either way, they were ensuring the guys didn’t talk.”
“What action is being taken to ID these guys?” our president asks Don Mazzone.
“The team is already running their photos through facial recognition software. Hopefully we’ll get a hit on at least one of them, and we can go from there,” Ben replies.
For years, we had full online personnel records for everyone, but we stopped the practice because it was too dangerous. If the intel fell into the wrong hands—like a rival mafia, a hacker, the cartel, or the authorities—it could jeopardize the entireCosa Nostra.
“I don’t need to impress on you how serious the situation is.” Massimo drags his gaze over the table. “I want each of you to personally meet with your capos this week and see if anyone is missing. Files will be emailed to every don in the US today. Show the pictures around. Ask questions at the ground level. Someone knows something.”
“We should share the intel with O’Hara,” Fiero says. “See if his crew has heard anything.”
We’ve been working with the Irish for years on drug distribution in the city. Between us, we’ve driven out the other competitors, but new ones pop up all the time, and we’re continuously dealing with some threat.
The Irish mafia is mostly based out of Boston, but they have a division here. It was initially managed by O’Hara’s brother but after he double-crossed all of us, O’Hara took direct control. He has a few men managing it who report to him, but he closely watches proceedings. He splits his time between New York and Boston and maintains family homes in both cities.
While the Irish and Italian operations are completely separate entities, there is crossover between our teams at the street level in New York, and it’s possible the Irish might have heard something.
“I’ll call him,” Joshua says. “See if he can put out a few feelers.”
“We need to contain this threat,” Massimo says. “We know the cartel is sniffing around, and even if this is unrelated, they are looking for ways in. Don’t give it to them.”
* * *
I return my sister’s missed call from the car as I drive back to my parents’ place after the meeting. “Pipsqueak, how are you?” I ask, grinning as I imagine Sabina’s face scrunching in displeasure. My sister loathes that name.
“If you were here, I’d knock you flat on your ass, jerkface.”
I chuckle. “I’d like to see you try.”
“I’ve been working out, and I’ve put on muscle. I wouldn’t be too cocky, brother.”
“I’ll have to come visit to test your theory.”
“Bring the new nanny. Mom said she’s super sweet and super pretty and that you’re clearly obsessed with her. Fair warning, she’s already checking out mother-of-the-groom outfits.”
“She is not, and don’t go putting notions in her head.”
“I notice you don’t deny it.”
“Sloaneissuper sweet and pretty, but I’m not obsessed with her. Good enough for you?”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” she retorts. “You should come visit. You haven’t been here in years. Get out of the city until shit blows over. Mom told me what happened, and it doesn’t sound safe for any of you right now.”
“I can’t abandon ship, and Mom and Dad are safe at the house. No one is getting near them, I promise.”
“Mama said they shot at you and Papa. I’m worried.”
“I’m not letting anything happen to them, sis. Don’t worry. Let me handle it.”
“I want to see them, but Nolan can’t abandon work right now.”
Her husband is a heart surgeon at a top hospital in North Carolina. Sabina hatesLa Cosa Nostra. As soon as she was old enough, she flew the nest, attending college in California and then eloping to marry her college boyfriend when she was twenty-one. Papa was disappointed she wanted nothing to do with themafioso, but her happiness meant more, so he eventually came around.
