Page 96 of Morally Corrupt

35

ADRIAN

"I hear you, Marcel. But I still don't see how this is going to play out," I say into my Bluetooth headset as I steer my car towards the parking lot.

"Trust me. Enzo definitely has something up his sleeve," he comments.

I sigh and thread my fingers through my hair.

"Fine. I'll update you!" I say and disconnect the call.

I get out of my car and head towards Enzo's office. They weren't kidding when they were talking about their restaurants. This one is a high-end one on Madison Avenue. I'd heard of it before, but I'd never connected it to the mob before. I guess that goes to show just how embedded in society they are. The usher greets me, and I tell him who I'm supposed to meet. After confirming my ID, he shows me to the back elevator, punching some code, which takes me to the building's third floor.

As I step out of the elevator, I am met with an open plan apartment, of which the kitchen seems to take a significant portion. Enzo is right in the middle of that kitchen, full gear on. He removes a tray from the industrial oven, and the smell wafts towards me.

It smells… intriguing.

"Hastings," he says in that Italian accent of his. He puts the tray on the table for cooling and frees his hands. He quickly checks his watch and his mouth curls up, noting. "You're early."

"Did I disturb your baking party?" I add drily, but he just shrugs, taking off his apron and motioning me to the sofas.

"If you'd have been on time, the cake would have had time to cool down. Now you'll just have to wait."

"I didn't take you for the baking sort."

"My wife loved baking. Now it just allows me to relax," he says nonchalantly. "But alas, let us get back to business. I trust you received the file I sent you?"

"Indeed."

"Do you have questions? I thought it was pretty straightforward. Those are our current locations, but shortly we will have a few more places opening. Of course, I shall update you. All in due time, however."

"That's not exactly what I wanted to talk to you. I've already flagged those locations as per our agreement. There is something that bothers me."

"Go ahead." Enzo takes a pack of cigarettes from the table and lights one, crossing his legs and regaling me with his undivided attention.

"I'm not entirely sure how much you've heard about the recent disturbances," I start carefully. I don't want to rush into the meat of the issue lest Enzo suspects I have a personal stake in this.

"How recent are we talking?" He drags deeply from the cigarette and releases a cloud of smoke.

"It's been a couple of months now. The reports have been trickling in."

"Let's say I have an idea of what you're talking about."

"There's been an increase in street disturbances. Word is that a new gang is in town," I continue.

"But it's not," he states, and I nod.

"Yes, it's a cartel we've been watching for a while now. They're trying to set base in New York."

"You're pretty well informed, Chief." Enzo takes another drag and heads to the small liquor cabinet next to the window. He turns to me with a question, but I shake my head.

"I'm driving," I simply say. He pours himself a drink and settles back on the sofa.

"I've been informed of this new cartel trying to get into our territory. It's interesting to see you know too." He smiles slowly but continues, "So, what's your issue?"

"Your part of the bargain is to help keep crime low. These people are only driving it up." I keep my voice steady, hoping he won't ask more questions.

"So it is. Let's do this. Tell me what you know, and I will tell you what I know. Tit for tat, very simple." He makes it sound simple, but somehow I doubt this is an equal exchange.