Page 75 of Made of Steele
“Yeah, well, if he doesn’t come back today, I might actually write him off.” Sal leaned back and clamped his hands behind his head. “What’re you doing here?”
“Came to give you a thumbs up on the package from last night.” He displayed the drugs from his pack and then quickly hid them again in case someone might come in. “My guy says it’s the real deal, and we’re good to go.”
Sal dropped his arms to the chair. “Finally, one thing going right today.”
“Other problems?” Drew settled in a chair and made sure his expression was filled with concern.
Sal studied Drew. “Nothing for you to worry about.”
Drew had raised the man’s suspicions—so time to move on. “Speaking of worry, I thought the meeting with Rossi went well. Guy seemed to be okay with me and my business.”
“Yeah, he’s fine.”
Drew casually crossed his leg. “His sidekick was something else.”
“Tony?” Sal chuckled. “What can I say? The guy likes old mafia movies.”
Aldo looked up from his computer. “Wouldn’t you if your last name was Gambino?”
Perfect. Now Drew had a name to research. “Ever think he might really be mafia?”
“Nah.” Aldo waved a hand. “The guy’s bark is far worse than his bite. Sure he’d protect Rossi, but he’d no more take someone out than he’d take out his mother if he could help it.”
“Guess you don’t have to be an enforcer if you look like one.” Drew laughed. “He been working for Rossi long?”
“Took over, what?” Sal looked at Aldo. “Five, maybe six, years ago?”
“Yeah, around then. Rossi doesn’t go anywhere without the guy.” Sal grinned. “We joke that Tony even sleeps with Rossi and his wife.”
Drew faked a laugh and considered the implications of this news. He would never get close to Rossi without Gambino present. Not that Drew thought he needed to get Rossi alone. The next time he saw Rossi, Drew planned to be arresting him.
Drew planted his foot on the floor and tapped his backpack. “Let’s talk about the glitter supply. My guy wants a one-for-one dollar match on product up to the first half mil we deposit. Then we’ll hold it until we can be sure you can turn our cash as fast as needed.”
“That’s a lot of glitter to put on hold.” Sal ran his hand over his jaw. “I’ll have to talk to Rossi, but I doubt he’ll be able to make that decision. Will have to get back to you.”
Drew clutched the backpack. “I’ll take this for the deposit I already made.”
“Gonna turn that back to you today minus our cut,” Aldo said. “So keep an eye out.”
“Will do.” Drew stood and looked at Sal. “I’d like to get this going today or tomorrow or my guy will want to move on. Let me know when you’re ready to rock.”
Sal frowned. “It’ll take as long as it takes.”
Drew ignored the comment and strode out, waving to Betty as he passed but not stopping as she would ask him if he talked to the brothers about Vito. She never had her own children and acted like their mother. She wanted them all to be happy and wouldn’t like the plans Drew had for the brothers for sure.
He got his car pointed toward the city and called Harris. “I need you to run particulars on a Tony Gambino. He’s Rossi’s muscle. Maybe the killer we’re looking for.”
“Hold on.” Keys clicked in the background. “Loading now. No priors.”
“Doesn’t mean anything.”
“Likely because he hasn’t been caught.” She let out a noisy breath.
“Where do we stand on the missing person reports?”
“I received the last file and have a flash drive ready for you. I’m free right now if you can get to our rendezvous spot.”
“Give me thirty minutes.”
