"Lighten up, man. This me and you, and that’s where this stays, me and you. Nobody has to know."
For the next few blocks they drove in silence. "You ever know something, but it’s still hard to hear."
"Yeah." Was all Nick could say. "Yeah, I know what you mean."
"But you know what Nick? I ain’t got time for that shit now. We got work to do."
"That’s what I’m sayin’. So you think this nigga was one of your boy’s soldiers?"
"Not that it matters, cause I was fuckin’ everybody too, but she was fuckin’ everybody. I really needed to be done with her ass a long time ago."
"Why didn’t you?"
"I ain’t even gonna front. Pussy was all that, Nick. She just liked to fuck all the damn time. Her ass get mad, damn near ignorant when she don’t get no dick."
"I know what that’s like," Nick said and thought about Camille.
Freeze started to laugh as he thought about Camille too. "Yeah, I guess you do."
Nick laughed.
"But you see Nick, that’s how things turn around. Now it’s Bobby that’s losin’ his mind over some little trick."
"Yeah, what’s up with that?"
"Bobby ran up on a little dancer who got him pussy whipped, that’s all. Why you wanna meet her?"
"Oh hell no. I don’t need to get nowhere near anybody Bobby fuckin’ with no more in life."
"I’m just fuckin’ wit’ you Nick. That bitch crazy anyway. I hate I introduced him to her."
"Anyway," Nick said trying to end the discussion. "What you gonna do now?"
"I know you got a date with Wanda and shit."
"It’s not a date," Nick interrupted quickly.
"Whatever, Nick. So I’m gonna roll you back to your car."
"What you gonna do?"
"I’m gonna find out if that nigga worked for Curl."
"And if he did?"
"I’m gonna wait for you or Black or Bobby before I go kill him."
Chapter Thirty-five
Bobby parked his car across the street from Angelo’s and he and Mike when inside. Diego finally called and was ready to meet. As always they were met by Jimmy who escorted them to a private room just off the bar area. Inside the room was a table and five chairs.
Once they had made themselves comfortable Angelo came into the room with a bottle and three glasses. "Mike, Bobby, how’s everybody doin’?" he said and took a seat at the head of the table. "As you can see, Diego is even later than you are."
"Diego had Shy all along. That shit with Nick was just a cover," Mike told Angelo.
"You’re fuckin’ kiddin’ me," Angelo said and poured himself a drink.
"We caught up with Sal Terrico last night. Diego told him to bring her here."
Bobby took the bottle from Angelo. He poured himself a drink and one for Mike. "How you wanna play this, Mike?" he asked.
"I’m not gonna let on that I know he has her. Let him lay it out anyway he wants — ." Mike was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Come on," Angelo yelled.
Jimmy opened the door and showed Diego Estabon into the room. "Get two more glasses, Jimmy," he said as Diego walked toward him followed by another man. "Diego, how are you," Angelo said as the two men embraced.
"Very well, thank you, Angelo." Diego turned to Mike. "Mike Black, my old friend, it has been too long. You must come to Lima someday soon and let me show you how we live."
Mike stood up and embraced Diego. "Like the king that you are Diego, my friend."
Bobby shook his head in disgust and offered a hand. "How you doin’ Diego?"
"Like Mike said, like a king, Bobby," Diego said and tightened his grip. "Like a king."
Once everyone had taken a seat Angelo asked, "So tell me Diego, what can I do for you today?"
Diego paused and looked at Angelo. "For me, nothing." Diego turned to Mike. "Today there is something that I can do for you, Black."
"You have my undivided attention," Mike said trying to sound as gracious as he could.
"I heard about that unfortunate business that went on in your club."
"Bad news travels fast," Mike said and leaned forward.
"A man in my position, I hear things, things that only men like us are in a position to do something about. This is what I have done for you, my friend. When it came to my attention that your wife was taken, I took steps to intervene on your behalf."
"So what are you sayin’, Diego?" Angelo asked. "Are you sayin’ that you got Shy?"
"I was able to use my influence to assure her abductor that our business is not your business and that despite appearances to the contrary they have nothing to fear from you. They have assured me that your wife has not been harmed and she will be released."
"When?" was Mike’s single word question.
"Tonight at Penn Station." Diego looked at his watch. "At ten o’clock, which is in thirty minutes."
"Bobby."
Bobby took out his cell phone and called Freeze to have somebody get down to Penn station as soon as possible. Mike’s eyes narrowed as he continued to stare at Diego.
"I am sorry about the short notice, my friend."
"Yeah, I was just about to mention that," Angelo interjected. "You coulda told me and he coulda had somebody there to meet her."
"This is true. Somebody could have met the woman and perhaps kill them in retaliation. I’m sure her abductor considered that possibility very carefully when he negotiated that point." Diego turned to Mike. "What can be done to make this right?"
"What about her abductor?" Mike asked knowing that he’d already killed Sal and Julio.
"You have my word that they will be dealt with once her safe return has been established."
"Turn them over to me," Mike demanded.
"If I were to do that, would you kill them?"
"Yes, Diego, I will kill him, and anyone I find who was involved in it."
"Why when your wife is unharmed and to my knowledge been well treated?" Diego asked.
"He’s got a point, Mike," Angelo had to agree.
"Okay, Angelo," Mike said. "I’m a reasonable man, and I want to take care of this in a reasonable manner. I’m sure that you understand my anger and my desire for revenge, but out of respect for you Angelo," Mike paused long enough to make his point. "I will not seek retribution in this matter of disrespect."
"I am very glad to hear that," Diego said and got to his feet quickly. "Now that the matter is dispensed with I have some business that I must attend to. Please let me know if things do not happen in the manner that we have discussed," he said as he walked to the door then he stopped. "And please let me know if there is ever anything that I can do for you." And with that Diego Estabon closed the door and was gone.
"Can you get somebody to follow him, Angee?"
"I’m on it," Angelo said and left the room.
"What you gonna do now?" Bobby asked as he and Mike got up from the table.
"I’m going to make sure that Cassandra is safe, then I’m gonna kill him and anyone I find who was involved in it."
"You just told Diego that you wouldn’t do that," Bobby said and laughed.
"Fuck Diego."
Chapter Thirty-six
Shy lay across her bed and watched Law and Order on television. She’d never seen it before and was actually pretty surprised at how much she was enjoying it.
She heard keys in the lock and got off the bed. The door opened and as usual, the same two men walked in. One threw Shy a hood. "Put that on and then hold your hands out in front of you. Were goin’."
Shy quietly complied with their orders and her hands were quickly tied in front of her. They led her out of the room and down the stairs. On the way down, Shy prepared herself for another ride in the trunk.
It wasn’t all that bad once you get past the idea of it, Shy thought.
So naturally she was pleasantly surprised when she heard the words, "You’re gettin’ in the car, so watch your head," one of the men said as he gently pushed Shy’s head down.