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His words pull ht It sucks--but he’s right

• • •

Three days later, I tell Kennedy I won’t be in court that afternoon When worry shadows her face, I’m quick to explain I have some of my oork to catch up on It’s a lie--Jake is aweso down the fort, and even onup ood kind

Because if she knehere I was really going, that shadow of concern would turn into a full-blown eclipse

• • •

The modern-day Mafioso is very different frouns hidden in violin cases The Sopranos got it pretty right If you didn’t already know it, you’d never suspect that Carmine Bianco--the seventy-year-old, dark-haired, leather-faced guy in the back corner table of this neighborhood deli--is the supreanization that the feds have been trying for two decades to pin a RICO charge on He looks like sorandpa, or an old benevolent uncle

Except for the two un belts strapped beneath their jackets

We’re the only custouys steps up to me a few feet short of the table, I auto for weapons or a wire My whole life, people have coood looks, and have underestiive Carmine an affable smile as I sit down across fro to meet with me"

He puts his overflowing sandwich down and chews his ers "You want a sandwich?"

I shakelike a switchblade as he takes ray suit, loosened tie, Rolex watch "I don’t know you I don’t kno you know uy said I should meet with you, so here we are What can you do for me, kid?"

His business advisor is an associate of an associate of one of time brokers So I made a few calls--because it doesn’t matter if you’re a uess you could say I have abusiness proposition for you" My voice gives ht I don’t know if he ordered the hit on Kennedy, or if his boys clean up their own messes And I can’t ask; he wouldn’t tell me either way All I can do is deal with hiht for the head

He leans back in his seat "I’"

"Gino Moriotti He works for you"

The old edly" I chuckle

"What about hi anymore "How much is he worth to you? How ets put away--and I have no doubt whatsoever that he will be put away"