Kathleen reluctantly took the box and flipped it open to reveal a ring with a stone too enormous to be real. She looked at him and shrugged. "What's this supposed to be?"
"Will you marry me?" He hadn't finished the sentence when she burst into laughter. Initially, Gus joined her, mistaking her reaction for joy, but it soon became evident that she was laughing at him. "What's so funny?"
"You're fucking joking, right?"
"Of course not." He frowned. "Why would I joke about something like this?"
"It's not even a real diamond."
"Yes it is."
"What'd it cost, a million dollars?" She laughed again and handed it back to him. "I'm smart enough to know the difference between a real diamond and a fake one."
Gus felt his face blush. "Well, it's not exactly a real diamond, but - "
"I can't marry you, Gus." She suppressed another laugh and rolled her eyes. "I don't think of you that way."
"What the hell way do you think of me? We've been going out with each other for more than a year now."
Kathleen sighed heavily. "Gus, you pay me to go out with you. You're a steady customer. Is there something seriously fucking wrong with you, or what? Whatever gave you the idea I'd wanna marry you? For Christ's sake, I'm a prostitute."
"I don't understand," he said quietly. "You said you cared for me - "
"I'll say I want to have your kids if you pay me enough."
Something tapped the glass on the driver's side window.
Startled, Kathleen jumped. "Fuck, is that a cop?"
"Don't worry, we're not doing anything wrong." Gus turned and saw a fat man in a suit and trench coat standing next to the car. "I'm right in the middle of some personal business here, all right, pal?" The man smiled and tapped the glass again. Gus rolled down the window, felt the cold air rush in. "We're having a conversation here, there something I can do for you, buddy?"
"Gus Lemieux, right?" the man asked happily.
"That's right. Who's asking?"
"Vincent told me to give you this."
By the time Gus realized the man had leveled a gun at him it was too late.
It made an odd buzzing sound as the bullet fired through the chamber and out the end of the silencer, piercing Gus's forehead.
Blood, tissue and brain matter sprayed out the back of his head as it exploded. Most of it landed in Kathleen's lap, and as she opened her mouth to scream the man leaned in closer and fired a round between her eyes.
Kathleen's head snapped back in a halo of blood, crashed against the window and shattered it.
Gus was making disturbing gurgling sounds. He convulsed, and bright red blood poured from his lips, coating his chin. Vic DeNicco calmly slid more than an inch of the silencer into his victim's already open mouth, and pulled the trigger again. The body vaulted back then lurched forward, and Gus hit his forehead on the steering wheel, his wig sliding from his head as he slumped over between the passenger seat and dashboard.
After he had holstered the gun, Vic removed a brick of heroin wrapped in plastic from his coat pocket, tore it open with gloved hands, and tossed it into the car.
A black Lincoln Continental silently glided up alongside the GMC Jimmy. Vic DeNicco climbed inside, and they pulled away, slowing for a stop sign before turning at the top of the block.
***
Frank had eventually managed to fall asleep, but only in short spurts. Harsh morning light poked through the holes and slashes in the window shade, and the sounds of the city slowly coming to life convinced him to at least entertain the idea of getting up, splashing some water on his face and venturing out in search of coffee.
His beeper went off, and he sat up straight in bed. Still attached to his belt, he pulled it free and quickly read the numbers as they rolled across the digital display. Odd, he thought, recognizing the office number.
He went to the payphone in the lobby and returned the call, convincing himself that if it were some elaborate trick, he would simply hang up and find somewhere else to hide. One night at the Wellington Hotel was more than enough.
"Good morning," Vincent's voice answered cheerfully. "Entertainment Enterprises."
"Good morning," Frank said reluctantly.
"Frank! Man, are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
"Come on in. Everything's been taken care of."
Frank glanced over his shoulder at the empty lobby. "That was quick. What happened?"
"I can go into detail once you get here," he said. "But I spoke to Michael and he managed to straighten things out. I also found Gus. I ran into him and that broad at his house."
"And?"
"I was wrong, Frank." Vincent breathed heavily into the phone. "I'm sorry."
"I knew it," Frank said, managing a smile.
"Our leak came from somewhere else. I've got a few ideas, but we'll cover that when you land."
"Where's Gus now?"
"He's meeting us here in a few minutes," Vincent told him. "So get here as fast as you can. There's still a few loose ends we need to take care of, know what I mean?"
Frank nodded into the phone. "I'll be there in about an hour."
"Great," Vincent said smoothly. "I'll be waiting."
CHAPTER 16
Frank arrived at the office a little after nine o'clock. Vincent's car was the only one in the lot. The reception and telemarketing area was empty, and Frank checked his watch. His employees should have been there by now, but weren't. The office was quiet.
"Vin?" he called out.
"You made it."
Frank turned and saw Vincent standing in the doorway to his office. "Where the hell is everybody?"
"I didn't know how long our troubles were going to last so I gave everybody a couple days off."
"Oh," Frank sighed, the knot in his stomach loosening. "I got a little nervous there for a minute."
Vincent started off down the hallway, waving for Frank to follow him. "Come on, we'll talk in your office."
***
Frank slid behind the desk and sat in his leather swivel. Vincent remained a few feet from the front of his desk. "Let me get you up to speed on what's happening."
"Please do."
"I haven't exactly been honest with you, Frank."
"What about?"
"Quite a bit, actually."
Frank swallowed. "Where's Gus?"
"He won't be coming."
Were it not for his physical exhaustion, Frank would have reacted more violently. "Please tell me you didn't hurt him."
"No more lies, Frank. Gus didn't make it."
"You motherfucker!" Frank sprang from his chair. "I fucking told you - "
"You told me? No, I tell you."
"What the fuck did you do?" They stood staring at each other, chests heaving, fists clenched but held at their sides. "What the fuck did you do?"
Vincent pulled a gun from his jacket and pointed it directly at Frank, arms locked. Stunned, Frank took a step back from his desk. "What… what the hell are you doing? What is this?"
"This?" Vincent asked, motioning to the gun. "This is a military-issue nine millimeter Beretta. It's a great piece. Weighs a little over two and a half pounds - fully loaded, of course. A round from this mother goes almost thirteen-hundred-feet a second, Frank. Tag somebody with this and they go down every time. Now, do me a favor and sit the fuck down on your own so I don't have to prove it."
Silently, Frank lowered himself back into the chair.
***
Charlie stepped from the shower and quickly toweled himself off. He wiped a spot large enough on the mirror to see his face, and smiled widely at the reflection. Not bad for an old fart. With a small comb he styled his wet hair, wondering if he ought to start dyeing it. No, he thought. I like the beginnings of gray at the temples, offsets the red. Besides, Beth likes the gray. Makes me look distinguished - isn't that what people always say?
He blew himself a kiss, wrapped a towel around his waist and moved into the kitchen for a cup of coffee, his bare feet cold against the chilly tile. Leaning against the counter, he poured himself a steaming mug and took a sip. He didn't have much planned for the day; had slept later than usual, and decided he'd stay close to home.
An icy breeze tickled his shins. He noticed the kitchen door was ajar. Beth was working a double-shift and wasn't expected home until later that night. Maybe she left it open on her way out, he thought. She was always so frazzled in the morning.
He moved cautiously to the door, opened it and poked his head outside. The street was clear and his car sat alone in the driveway. Nice going, Beth, our heating bill should be through the roof this month.
The floor creaked.
Charlie turned in time to see two dark forms standing behind him.
Something flashed near his face. Something metallic.
***
"Are you out of your mind?" Frank asked. "You're gonna fucking shoot me?"
"Not unless I have to."
"I thought Turano was the enemy."
Vincent lowered the gun and smiled. "John Turano's been dead for two days, Frank. Michael's guys don't miss. But you've turned into such a fucking mark, I knew you'd buy it."
Frank leaned forward on the desk; afraid he might collapse. "Who were the people looking for me at my apartment?"
"Couple of Mike's guys. I had some business to take care of and I needed you out of the way for a while. I couldn't have you stuck up my ass pissing and moaning. Jesus, you know how you get."
"Why couldn't you have just talked to me about it?" Frank reached for the middle desk drawer and Vincent quickly raised the gun.
"Careful."
Frank pulled a pack of cigarettes from the drawer and tossed them on the desk. Vincent relaxed, lowering his weapon. Frank lit a cigarette and attempted a more relaxed posture.
"It's funny," Vincent said. "You hang with a guy for most of your life and you figure you know him. I thought you were like me, Frank. Strong. But you're not. You're weak. I hate weak." He pulled a chair in front of the desk and sat down. "You're smarter than me - I got no problem admitting that - and that's why early on I needed you. But I'm smart too. In a completely different way, of course, but I'm not as dumb as I look."
"I never thought you were dumb, Vin."
Vincent smiled. "I really thought we could make this work, goombah. Hell, you're like a brother to me - you know that - but changes had to be made, and you'd already gone and gotten yourself all worked up sweating the small shit."
Frank hoped his fear was not as obvious as it felt.
"Plus, you're a drunk. I never knew that about you. I don't like drunks. They make mistakes - usually stupid ones. Like causing trouble with Nick Strong - a guy who only stands to put more money in our pockets. Like not being able to separate business and personal problems. Like letting your wife fuck other guys. It's a small business, Frank; people talk. Damn, if I'd known you were passing her around I would have taken a turn myself. Then there was your old man's death. That pushed you right over the edge."
"I thought you were above kicking me when I was down, Vin." His free hand curled slowly into a fist.
"I ain't above much," Vincent chuckled.
***
The tip of the blade slashed Charlie's face, and he staggered back. Ignoring the burning sensation spreading from cheek to jaw-line, he tried to run for the bathroom, but one of the men grabbed him by the throat and pinned him easily to the counter.
"Christ," he said, choking. "Please - don't."
The man buried the blade just above his crotch with a single violent thrust. Charlie gagged, felt bile and blood rising in his throat as the man tugged the knife upward, tearing his abdomen as it went.
Charlie fell. On hands and knees, he tried desperately to prevent his intestines from spilling from his belly and uncoiling onto the bloody floor like a giant eel.
His body bucked and collapsed to the floor, a large pool of blood forming around it.
***
"Trust's an important thing, Frank," Vincent told him. "And I just didn't think I could trust you anymore. You're a risk, and with all that was going on I knew I couldn't afford the headache."
"You killed Gus," Frank said, more statement than question.
"I didn't kill anybody." Vincent smiled. "But believe me, he's as dead as you get." He checked his watch. "Right about now Charlie ought to be having some trouble, too."
"You didn't have to do this."
"See what I mean? You don't have the culones for this, Frank. It's all about balls. Big fucking brass balls. I'm beginning to think you got a pussy between your legs."
"Why did you have to kill them? Christ, there must have been a million ways you could've - "
"They were in the way," Vincent said evenly. "Neither one of them was smart enough to just cut loose. They would've tried to fuck with me. After this little display - and you got to admit it's pretty fucking spectacular - nobody's ever gonna fuck with me again."
Frank took a hard pull on his cigarette, exhaled wearily through his nose. "What about the cops? Isn't it gonna look a little strange when two people so closely associated with us wind up dead?"