He rounded me, and pulled out the kitchen knife I’d pilfered.
Unlike a few moments ago, that sight triggered a whole slew of emotional and chemical reactions inside.“Flame thrower.”Odd that I thought about Ringo.
Or maybe not so odd.I wanted to tell him that he was foremost in my thoughts as I faced death.Sure, he hadn’t been the one time, wait… make that two times before when I’d faced down my demise.The first was so quick I hadn’t had time to think beyond looking for an escape from the dark alley I’d been lured into.The second time I had to keep up with Mario’s quick thinking.That took all my attention.I didn’t realize I was in trouble that time until Don Conti was on the floor bleeding from the gunshot wound.
But this time all I could do was think.My reflection glinted in the blade.It was too small to be more than a dark blur against the backdrop of light streaming in from the window, but that told me the time of day.This window faced west.Because of the angle of the roof and the proximity to the neighbor’s two story, the sunlight only came in this room during early to mid-afternoon.
I was supposed to be opening the bar right now.Someone would miss me.
And if Ringo gave two shits about me, maybe he’d know that.
How?I had no clue, but I wanted to put some hope into that wish.
“How did Bridget get mixed up in this?”I tipped my head and shot a quick glance at my silent partner.She’d slumped in the chair and looked much worse than I remembered.
“She was creeping around the house when I got back.I had to knock her out, but your nosy neighbor saw me.So, I dragged her inside.Who is she?”
It gave me great pleasure to tell Johnny exactly who he’d abused.“She’s an FBI agent.So… not only do you have the mob on your ass, but the Feds too.”I giggled.It was all I could do not to scream out loud, “How does it feel, asshole?”
“FBI?Wait, she was watchingyou.”
I nodded.“That’s right.Courtesy of dear old granddad.Bet you didn’t know Alfred Pulaski’s granddaughter was so interesting, did you?”
His face went a little paler than normal.“You mean…?”
“Yeah, the entire time.Your little excursion with Dianora Conti?All documented.They know you offed Adelmo.”
His nostrils flared a little.“Ninety grand.”
I blinked.“Haven’t you been paying attention?I want you dead.”
“But it will cost you less if I just leave.Pay me and I’m out.”
As tempting as that was, I knew he’d be back as soon as the money ran out.“Was that all I was to you?Money?”
“No.”He sounded offended.Good.
“Enlighten me.”
“You were connected.I just didn’t know how connected.The FBI?Jesus.”
As if they were the worst thing he should be worried about?“Did you know Allie married a member of the mob’s assassin squad?Think movie-level or video game level.And you are on their list.”I relished telling him that.“There’s nowhere you can hide.They’re everywhere.”
“Please, Ellie.A hundred grand, I’m gone.”
“Where will you go, Canada?That would be Firenze.He speaks French really well.His favorite weapon is a Berretta Tanfoglio.Would you run to Alaska…beyond?I’m pretty sure Loppa knows Russian.He’s good at strangling people.”
“Ellie.”He lifted his hand, warning me to shut up.
I couldn’t.Something drove me to pester him until he broke.I don’t know why I did it, maybe I just wanted to know he wasn’t as tough as he thought he was, or that I was tougher.“Mexico would be Don Manca’s grandnephew.He likes to fish with the Spaniards off the western coast.Sure, his Castilian would stand out, but not as badly as a gringo with a funky mustache.”
He uttered a growl that bordered on a scream.He came down with the knife and stabbed my leg.
It hurt, burned, and oddly only enraged me.He left the knife in place and pulled out a gun.
“What are you going to do?Shoot me?You won’t get a dime then.”
He turned the gun on Bridget’s slumped form, going as far as to hold it against her head.
