“Trenton’s been a good friend of the club,” Reggie agrees.
“He’s hooked us up with some good money-making opportunities in the past, as well,” Billy adds. “We were all excited to hear that you might have some work that requires our particular skills.”
“I believe I do.” I lean back in my chair and take a sip of the whiskey. The coffee had done nothing to relieve the dry, tight feeling in my throat, but the alcohol immediately fills me with a spreading warmth and relief. “Did your club ever have any dealings with the Volkov family, before they left town?”
Eddie grimaces as he finishes his drink, and for a moment I can’t tell if it’s from the burn of the whiskey or displeasure at the Volkov name. He clarifies his feelings with a snort and says, “Fuck those Russian bastards. We had a couple of run-ins with that trash before they learned to leave us the hell alone.”
Reggie nods his agreement. “When they first arrived in the city a few years ago, they stepped on our toes a time or two, andwe had to deal with them firmly. They learned to stay out of our way.”
“We didn’t deal with them as firmly as you did, though, did we?” Billy grins. “We didn’t have the money to throw the entire police force at them. That was a nasty piece of business, but I understand why you did it. We all heard about that shipment they stole from Monroe’s, and about them killing the old man that ran the place. Word on the street is that you took that shit real personal.”
“I did.” I nod as I slide the whiskey carafe on my desk across to Eddie, who flashes a grin as he takes it up and refills his glass. “Robert Monroe was a friend to my family, and his daughter…his daughter, Constance Monroe, is very special to me.” I have to pause for a moment to collect my thoughts. “I’m sure you gentlemen understand how important it is to send a message that you’re willing to protect what belongs to you. I should have anticipated a challenge to my family’s holdings. Under my leadership, we’ve become more legitimate, with most of our earnings coming from gambling apps and our investments. The Volkovs thought this meant they could move in on my captains and challenge their street-level businesses. Kirill Volkov made his move, and I ended him. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to settle the issue.”
“I thought they packed up and left town! You saying those dumb Russian fucks are still causing problems?” Reggie asks.
“That’s why I had Trenton ask you to meet me here today,” I explain as I turn my computer to face the three men. “Yesterday, two men tried to kidnap Constance. She was able to kill both of them and escape, but the police have gotten involved. Except for what they give me through their investigation, I can’t get any information about who hired these men. There was a third, however, who was tailing Constance and set the kidnappers on her. He was riding some sort of flashy sport bike and hadpatches on his jacket. I’m hoping you can help me identify him, and that you might be able to arrange…a meeting between the two of us.”
I’ve got the surveillance clip already loaded up, so I hit play and let them watch the footage of the biker who followed Constance, called in the two assailants who attacked her, and then watched their work. At a certain point in the video, when the biker is off his bike and smoking, I pause and zoom in on him so that they can get a clear look at his features and the patches he is wearing.
“He’s a Gargoyle,” Eddie comments as he reaches over and taps at the shoulder patch the biker is wearing. “He’s only wearing the head, so he’s just a prospect, looks like.”
“What’s a Gargoyle? Is that another motorcycle gang or some other sort of club?” I ask him to clarify.
“They’re a gang of small-timers over in Jersey,” Reggie explains. “They’ve got a few chapters up and down the east coast. They make money running drugs for the Bratva out in the counties. They stay away from our businesses and clubs, so we’ve ignored them for the most part.”
“Which isn’t to say we’re unwilling to help,” Billy chimes in. “We have no relationship with the Gargoyles, so we wouldn’t be burning any bridges. For the right price, I don’t see any reason we couldn’t bring this fellow in to speak with you.” Billy addresses the last part to his Vice-President, Reggie, who nods in agreement.
“Did the police already identify him? I assume they’re looking for him as well,” Reggie asks.
“They are. His name is Jason Sizemore. His name, and this video, are all I know about him. Do you know where the Gargoyles congregate? Do you have any idea how we might be able to locate him?”
“Let us see the end of that video again,” Reggie says, pointing at the computer. “The part where they drag that woman…you said her name was Constance, right? The part where those two guys drag her out to the truck.”
I fast forward from the still shot of Sizemore until near the end of the video, where the two men can be seen dragging a struggling Constance and manhandling her into the back of their Explorer. “You said this woman is special to you,” Reggie comments after watching it play through again. “She your old lady?”
“I’ve asked her to marry me, so yes, I guess you could say that. At least, I want her to be my old lady.”
“I don’t like seeing a woman treated like that,” Eddie sneers. “If they’re in the life, that’s one thing, but it doesn’t sound to me like she’s involved in the business, like all of us.”
I keep the fact that Constance executed Kirill Volkov and is most certainly part of the business to myself. It’s irrelevant, however, as Reggie observes, “Mr. Luciani said that this woman killed those two big ass guys who abducted her. How the hell did she manage that?”
“She has a certain aptitude for violence you don’t often find in the fairer sex. You’ll have to meet her sometime once all of this is settled. She’s a rare woman,” I say to deflect the question.
Billy leans forward in his chair, and with a huff, turns the conversation back to what’s most important. “We know where the Gargoyles hang out. They have a clubhouse over in Jersey, a little shithole poolhall. We can get this Sizemore boy for you. The only question is, how much is he worth to you?”
“You bring him in alive and I’ll pay two hundred and fifty thousand.” I lean back in my chair and sip at my whiskey, trying to gauge their reaction to the offer.
“Best way to get this kid is to hit their clubhouse.” Eddie mulls it over as he glances at his two companions. “We set iton fire, fire a few rounds as they run out, and then snatch him when they scatter. Minimum six guys, better if we take eight to ten. Two-hundred and fifty doesn’t split that well with that many men. Not for the risk we take trying to nab him alive.”
Reggie and Billy are nodding along with Eddie, and I have to lift my glass to my lips to hide my slight grin. They’re negotiating together. I don’t mind. In fact, I would’ve been suspicious if they had jumped on my first offer. It would’ve made them seem too desperate without a good head on their shoulders. “Then let’s give your crew some incentive,” I offer. “I’ll pay you two-hundred and fifty right now, today. That’s twenty-five thousand each, even if you bring ten men. On delivery of Sizemore alive and able to speak, I’ll give you another two hundred thousand.”
Eddie and Billy both glance at Reggie, who gives me a nod. “Done,” he says as he leans forward and offers me his palm.
I stand to take the offered hand and give it a shake, then lean back as Billy pulls a pen and notepad out of the inside pocket of the leather vest he’s wearing. He jots down a note, then slides it across the desk to me. “The account number for the deposit,” he clarifies when I pick it up.
“I’ll take care of the initial transaction right now,” I assure them as I turn the screen of my computer back towards me and begin typing. “The transfer should be complete before you gentlemen make it back to the parking deck. With that being said, how quickly do you think you can secure Mr. Sizemore for me? I would hate for the police to pick him up first. Their investigation would only delay my own.”
“Yeah,” Reggie agrees. “No way he would talk to the cops. All they can threaten him with is jail time for being uncooperative. I have no doubt you can be much more persuasive. What do you think, Eddie? How quickly do you think you can set this up?”
