TOMMY'S SUCCESS at work earned him official entry into the Capretti organization. But for Tony, it yielded something unexpected.
The day after Smithson's murder, the gangster who had abandoned his roots was talking to Carl Benedetti in his office.
— I can't believe it, Carlos! — exclaimed his boss. — How could I have expected a situation like this?
— A bullet that hit more than one head... — Carl said softly, sitting in front of his superior's desk, while lighting a cigarette.
— Who would have thought that Smithson worked for Palermo? — he roared, pacing the room.
— Sometimes the little worms feed much bigger animals... — the old man said, taking a drag. — And I'll tell you what, he must have been some kind of cover, a front company. Who would have thought... — he said in a calm tone. — Outsourcing for mobsters... — and laughed.
— He will answer, certainly.
Tony picked up a cup of cappuccino that was on his desk in dismay.
— We have been having problems for a long time, but neither side has ever crossed the line. It remains to be seen how he will respond.
— I have already done my investigation. — Benedetti said, exhaling all the smoke he had in his lungs.
Tony was surprised at how eager his old partner had been and asked him:
— So tell me! Have you found out anything?
— It seems that there will be a meeting tonight at the old pier. An informant said he had heard talk about it.
— A meeting? But is it certain that this has anything to do with us?
— I can't guarantee it, but it seems that a lot of people are involved in this.
— It would be good to find out...
— I will do that.
— Actually, — Tony said in a sly tone, — this could be very useful to us...
— I have a plan in mind...