When he reached Gennaro’s street, he stayed on the other side of the road, but couldn’t see much, thanks to the brick wall around the property.
He settled into the same spot on a corner that he’d occupied the day before—in front of an empty house with aFor Salesign out front. From there, he had a good view of the gate to Gennaro’s house.
“Come on, lady, let’s go for another walk, huh?”
“You’re sure that’s the sameguy you saw yesterday?” Pinkie asked.
“Yeah,” Toomey said. “Same spot, too.”
The two men were with Miguel and Scotty Ochoa in a darkened second-story room of a house for sale, across the street and a few lots down from Gennaro’s place. The guy Toomey was talking about was leaning against the stone retaining wall that ran in front of the house they were using.
Yesterday, Miguel had put Toomey in charge of keeping an eye on Gennaro, since he was the man most familiar with Gennaro’s activities. Because of the text Miguel had received telling him Gennaro’s plans had been moved up a day, he and Pinkie had come this morning to monitor the situation themselves.
“And you’re saying he’s also the same guy who hired Gennaro to intimidate Barrington?” Pinkie said.
“Yeah.”
“So, what’s he doing here now?”
“No clue.”
“I think we need to have a chat with him.”
It didn’t take long forStefan to grow bored enough to pull out his phone for something to do. As he did, a piece of paper came out with it and fell to the ground.
He picked it up and grimaced. It was the business card from the guy who’d been with Sara at Clarke’s.
Ashton Williamson
Associate Attorney
Woodman & Weld
Stefan wasn’t sure he’d ever heard a more pretentious-sounding name.
He flipped the card over, and the annoyance he’d been feeling evaporated at the sight of Sara’s familiar handwriting.
He wanted to send her a text but worried that would distract him from dealing with Gennaro.
But then again, shehadsuggested they get coffee. It would be weird if hedidn’ttext her.
Before he could talk himself out of it, he typed out a message.
Good morning! It’s Stefan. Just wanted to wish you a good day.
He considered suggesting they meet up, but he didn’t want to push too much in this first text.
He read it over again, nodded to himself, and sent it.
He then switched to Candy Crush, and was just getting into a groove when a hand clamped down on his shoulder.
“What the fuck?” he blurted out as his head spun to see who it was.
“Hey, buddy.”
Stefan’s eyes bugged out. The hand belonged to the guy who’d told him he should leave Clarke’s the other night. The guy whoworkedfor Gennaro.
“Hi,” he squeaked.
