Chapter 12
“I don’t pretend to understand your world, son. But I understand loyalty when I see it.”
— ROBERT MONROE
Maximo
Well, the distraction was certainly effective, I think to myself as I wake up to the early light of dawn seeping around the edges of the curtains.
Constance is still snuggled up to my chest, and I try not to jostle her as I stretch towards the nightstand where my phone is charging. As soon as I pick it up, I see I have a new WhatsApp message.
Got your package. Let us know when you want to come by and pick it up.
I can admit to myself now that I had some reservations about working with an outside group like the Savage Kings. Even though Trenton knew them and vouched for them, establishing new business partners in our world is always a perilous endeavor.
Before I reply, I reach over to the nightstand again and grab the remote control, then turn on the television, quickly lowering the volume. I want to let Constance rest as much as possible after her exertions last night.
I only have to wait a few minutes for the local news to announce their top story of the day.
“Breaking news,” the lead reporter announces.
“New Jersey firefighters responded to a major fire at a local club after an apparent explosion tore through the building late last night. Our eyes on the scene, Rachel Black, has more details…” He cuts to another reporter standing outside the smoking ruins of a building.
Firefighters and police can be seen in the background, still milling around.
“Yes, Steven. I’m here on the scene of what used to be a bar and pool hall that was rumored to be the clubhouse of a local motorcycle gang calling themselves the Gargoyles.
The fire marshal is still investigating, but according to the police I’ve spoken with on the scene, they are operating on the theory that this may have been a targeted act of arson.
Just after midnight this morning, neighbors in the area reported hearing a series of explosions that rattled their windows before a blaze engulfed the building.
There are unconfirmed reports of at least one fatality, with police who have interviewed those who were present at the club before the fire also reporting several people missing and not yet accounted for.
We’ll keep you updated as more details become available. ”
The news reports seem to confirm that the Savage Kings came through for me. It’s in my nature to be paranoid, but after seeing the scene on television I feel reassured that they’ve upheld their end of our contract. I open the WhatsApp and send my reply.
We’ll come pick up the parcel at noon.
Once I send the message, I try to set my phone back down on the nightstand, but it slips from my hand and lands with a heavy thud. Constance stirs against me, then mumbles, “Is everything okay?”
“Our biker friends have captured Mr. Sizemore and are holding him over at their clubhouse. I was just letting them know we’ll be over to pick him up around lunchtime.”
She wakes up immediately, propping herself up on an elbow and looking at me to gauge my reaction. “Did they say if everything went okay? Were there any issues?”
“We’ll have to ask them when we get there later.” I shrug. “They didn’t say anything specific in the texts.” I point to the television. “I checked the news, though. Apparently, the Gargoyles’ pool hall suffered an explosion and fire early this morning, and they think some people are missing.”
“Well, we know at least one is.” Constance grins at me. “Let me go wash my hair and get cleaned up. I’m starving. Do you want me to make you something after I wash?”
“I’ll go cook up something for us,” I tell her as I throw the sheets back and climb out of the bed. “You take your time. I need some coffee before I do anything. The Gargoyles aren’t the only ones who had an exciting night.”
“There were quite a few explosions in here, too, weren’t there?” Constance bites her lip as she blushes, then stands up and quickly helps me make the bed, before disappearing into the bathroom.
I walk into the closet and begin getting dressed, wrapping myself in my ballistic vest and buttoning a fresh shirt before picking out a suit.
I don’t feel too bad this morning. I didn’t drink much after we got back to the estate last night, with Constance keeping me preoccupied.
It’s nice not to awaken with the dull pounding headache of overindulgence.
Once I’m ready, I leave the bedroom and head downstairs to see about breakfast.
The smell of coffee already fills the foyer as I cross to the kitchen.
Leonard is at the stove, busily scrambling a huge pan that must contain at least a dozen eggs.
Trenton, Joey, Tony, and Jamie Nicolo are all gathered around the island in the middle of the room.
Jamie nods to me when I walk in and pours a mug of coffee, which he sets on the island near me.
“Thanks, Jamie,” I greet him. “How was the guest house last night? You and your boys have everything you need?”
“Yeah, we’re good,” he confirms. “I set ‘em up in teams to patrol the grounds. Sent two boys out to Mount Sinai early this morning to replace the fellas you had me post up there last night for that chick…what’s her name, Melissa?”
When I nod, he continues. “Anyhow, yeah, Melissa, she’s fine. No action at the hospital overnight or out here. We were just trying to figure out what the plan is for today.”
“The first part of the plan is to eat. Constance is getting ready now. Leonard, do we have enough food to make breakfast for everyone?”
“I’ve got two pounds of bacon in the oven, and I’ve been cooking sausage in the air fryer,” he says, motioning with his spatula as he talks.
“There are different loaves of bread in the pantry. You boys can make all the toast you want. I’ll scramble another dozen eggs after these and we should at least be good until lunch. ”
“I appreciate you doing all that. I was just telling Constance last night I need to get to work on finding a new chef for the house,” I tell him. Then I ask, “Have any of you seen the news this morning?”
Trenton nods and says, “It looks like the Kings came through last night. Someone hit the Gargoyles bar, anyhow, and lit the place up. You heard anything from them?”
“Yes. They sent me a message that they were able to round up Sizemore. Once we eat, I want you, Joey, and Tony to come with me to their clubhouse. Tony, you drive separately and take one of Jamie’s men with you to back you up; I don’t care who.
I don’t want you alone with Sizemore. You guys will bring him back here and get him ready to talk while the rest of us take Constance to check on her friend.
We’ll meet you back here later. Sound good? ”
“I don’t know where the Kings’ clubhouse is,” Tony says.
“I’ll give you the address big guy, don’t worry.” Trenton grins at him. “I won’t force you to try and follow Joey. He’s hard to keep up with in traffic. You drive everywhere like it’s a fucking race,” he chides his friend.
Joey just shrugs in reply, but a small smile flickers across his lips as he raises his coffee mug to his mouth.
“I’ll stay here and get things ready in the basement for our guest,” Jamie says.
He looks so eager that I almost remind him to go easy but then think better of it.
This Sizemore prick tried to kidnap Constance.
Jamie is a true sadist. He’ll enjoy the work, and he’ll make sure our special guest is ready to tell me everything he knows about his mother.
Getting Sizemore to roll on Irina is going to take some creative persuasion, and Jamie is just the man for the job.
“That sounds good,” I tell him instead. “Grab some plates, then, gentlemen, and let’s eat. I’ll make a plate for Constance and set it in the microwave. Leonard, do we still have any of that fruit?”
“Yeah, the strawberries and cantaloupe are in the fridge. Don’t mess with the watermelon, though. Trenton cut a hole in it last night and poured a bottle of Stoli into the damned thing.”
“Thought it might be a nice little party favor once we settle this score with Irina,” he responds with a shrug. “Didn’t mean to fuck up your melon,” he adds by way of apology.
I wave him off with a laugh. “I’m sure it’ll be delicious. Maybe we’ll even share a bite with this Sizemore kid later before we settle accounts with him. A man ought to have a last drink. Now, eat up gentlemen. We’ve got a big day ahead of us.”
We’ve all been on the road for about fifteen minutes when my phone rings.
I check the caller ID and am not surprised to see Salvatore Bianchi’s name pop up.
“Salvatore. I hope things are going better for you this morning. Have you heard something about your son?” I greet him while motioning for Trenton to turn down the radio.
Constance leans over and tries to listen in on his reply.
“Maximo, good morning. I have heard nothing, nothing at all. Irina last contacted me just after my Gregory was taken. I’ve tried to call back to his phone to speak to her, to try to negotiate, but I get nothing but his voicemail.
I’m calling you now because I see on the news that someone made a move in my territory last night, against this group of bikers calling themselves the Gargoyles.
One of my men collects payment from them, allowing them to access my markets.
I’m hopeful that this intrusion into my holdings was related to the search for my son. ”
“It is, Salvatore,” I confirm. “I believe Irina is using this biker gang as her hired muscle. Specifically, I had one of their members picked up, a man named Jacob Sizemore. I found out that he’s Irina Volkov’s son, and Kirill Volkov’s younger brother from another father. I’m on my way to collect him now.”
“That is excellent, Maximo, very good. I would’ve preferred you came to me first before taking action in my territory, but…”