Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 136731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
He opens the door, leading us inside what I quickly realize is Eduardo Castillo’s private study. This is not an office. An office is not a personal haven or getaway. An office implies only work is done there, and with one look of this room… this is far from an office.
The large, intricately carved mahogany desk at the back of the room shouts wealth, and the throne that would double as a desk chair screams power. The room has an obvious color theme, with all the burgundy and heritage green flowing through it. I would say the color theme is royalty.
I would laugh were it not a member of underground royalty hosting this scheme.
Having made a call to Happy at a pit stop, I learned a few things about Eduardo Castillo. He comes from a long line of dirty motherfuckers. He has a reputation for being a fair man, good to his family. And finally, you do not want to fuck with him or his. Happy told me about the few who had. None of them have been seen since, but wreaths had been sent to the families of the missing. Anonymously, of course, but the unspoken message said enough.
Those people were not coming back.
So I am in the lion’s den, bringing forth a shit-storm.
Eduardo Castillo, sitting on the sofa, playing a solo game of chess, looks over his guests, before asking, “Problema?”
Miguel walks forward to speak to his father, leaving Ling and I where we are. The first rule of respect in the underground: Do not sit unless invited.
Eduardo watches Miguel closely as he speaks rapid-fire Spanish, only pausing to look over Ling and me before turning back to his son. A minute of Miguel’s explanation, before we’re cloaked in silence. Eduardo stands and, walking over to me, holds out his hand. “Eduardo Castillo.”
“Julius Carter.” Releasing his hand, I motion to the slip of a woman by my side. “Ling Nguyen.” As Eduardo takes her hand and leans down to kiss it, I mutter, “Careful. She bites.”
Eduardo cracks a smile, albeit a small one, but it’s progress. “Please sit.”
Ling and I sit on the sofa opposite the one Miguel and Eduardo sit on. Having dealt with people like Eduardo hundreds of times before, I wait for him to speak first.
His voice, tired and gravelly, he states a heavily accented, “So. We have a problem.” He points to me. “And you will help me fix it.”
No hesitation. “I will.”
“Good.” He sighs through his nose, aging ten years before my eyes. “Raul Mendoza was a good man, a loyal soldier, and trustworthy man. When Vito Gambino introduced me to his son Dino, I thought he was just like Raul. I saw the way he treated my Alejandra, and it was a relief to me, to know he would look after her and treat her well. I was promised loyalty from Gambino’s men. Raul considered Dino a friend, considered him kin.” He lowers his face and sighs before returning his gaze to mine. “This will not do. An example must be made.” His face turns feral as he grits out, “I want him dead. Today. Now.”
Ling speaks, but she does so quietly. “I wish it were that simple, Mr. Castillo, but Alejandra’s word is not enough.”
Hate to say it, but she’s right.
Eduardo’s murderous eyes shoot to Ling’s. “You think she lies?”
Ling realizes immediately that she’s insulted a mob boss and stands her ground. “Absolutely not. I believe Alejandra. Lord knows, a woman who loves her husband would not out him like that without reason.” She softens her tone and states, “We need more information. If Dino insists he’s innocent, he needs an alibi. If he can’t provide one, then we’ll proceed.”
Eduardo looks to me. “You let her speak for you?”
I know he means it as an insult, but I don’t rise to the bait. I simply repeat, “Like I said… she bites.”
Eduardo doesn’t smile, but his eyes do.
My turn. “I’m convinced that Alejandra believes Dino did this. I watched her fight herself, and I saw the exact moment she lost that fight. She asked all the right questions, and I watched the reactions to the answers she received. She was terrified of giving him up.” I state confidently, “I believe her. I believe Dino did it.”
Those words being all Eduardo needs to hear, he stands, straightening his tie. “I want to see this fucker buried.”
We make our way downstairs and enter the main room. There are some new faces there, and I guess them to be Gambino’s men and his sons. The moment we enter, Eduardo walks to the center of the room and stands silently in front of the men. I notice Alejandra is absent, but we won’t need her right now. Not ten seconds of standing before Eduardo has the attention of the men and complete silence. He looks to the ground before looking at the men in the room. “First item on the agenda.” His eyes turn to Dino. “Would you please stand, Dino?”