Page 80 of The Brigadier
“From what I learned, the Democratic Republic of Congo.” Luciano laughed. “Not necessarily the highest producing country.”
“But the hopes are to get into South Africa,” Vadim said.
Luciano nodded. “Which is why your shipment had been threatened. Is it secure in the United States yet?”
Aleksander shook his head. He was in charge of ensuring there were no additional hiccups.
“The cargo won’t arrive for four days. No issues as of yet.”
“Be prepared,” Luciano suggested. “They enjoy striking closer to home so reputations are sullied. You know as well as I do how this city works.”
“Noted,” Vadim hissed between clenched teeth. “Have you heard anything regarding the Kaskov Bratva?”
Luciano cursed in Italian, full on and with hate. “One day I will kill that Pakhan, but he isn’t intelligent enough to plan attacks of this nature.”
“Then who could be?” I asked, Luciano immediately turning his head in my direction.
“It is possible we have a new player in town, but even I am uncertain of that.” Don Bernardi took a moment to reflect and drink. His statement was a reminder that he truly believed he was top dog.
At least I sensed amusement in Vadim, not irritation. Every leader had their arrogance. Even my good friend. “We have checked up and down the East Coast and the lowlife cartels.Unless we’re talking a player from afar, I have a feeling the enemy is closer.”
We were running out of candidates. Although my father had always told me that often enemies were very close, enough to breathe on you.
“Honestly, while I do believe Rossi has plans on exterminating as many enemies as possible in showy way, I think those were simply meant to put everyone on edge, altering their normal plans. That allows for additional mistakes, a possible power twist.” Luciano had given this some thought.
I knew what he was saying. If we were jumping through hoops, anyone loyal to Rossi had a perfect opportunity to keep better track plus find additional confidential information. I sat back, gazing at Vadim. It wasn’t necessarily anything I didn’t know. “I need to ask you more of a confidential question.”
Vadim seemed surprised but knew what I was about to ask.
“We pride our alliance in not keeping certain secrets.” Luciano chuckled. Both organizations had secrets. There was no way we’d shared everything. Why would that occur?
“As you know, my brother arrived in New York to have a business meeting with Rossi and the Armenian group. That was a surprise to me, but my brother has always ignored my business and basic concerns about danger. A wild card, so to speak. I don’t believe it went as expected for him. Is there any chance you either knew or took a limited part in this meeting?”
Luciano snorted, looking from one of his men to another who laughed as if on cue. “You are a highly intelligent man, Brigadier Kuzmin, a man I admire and respect. However, to ask me if I would ever do business with the slimebag Armenians is a slap.”
“No offense, Don Bernardi, but certain difficult questions must be asked.”
Luciano chuckled. “I supposed. No offense to your family but your brother made some bad investments, the hole he dug for himself wide enough he will eventually get swallowed. Neither organization could have that liability on their hands. The rumor mill hasn’t been good anyway within our circle. Not that Russians are well liked. From what I know, his offer was declined. If the Armenians have anything to do with this, they are hired guns and nothing else. That is a strong possibility. And allowing your brother into the fold might lead to leaks.”
“Good point,” Vadim said. “That doesn’t bring us any closer.”
“There is a group from Philadelphia I’ve been watching carefully. Perhaps they should be scrutinized by your experts,” Luciano suggested.
“Not a bad idea,” Aleksander said. “I’ll handle that.”
Why did it feel as if the man was throwing us a bone? Yes, we were laying down some of our cards, rarely a good idea, but this was something else. I threw Vadim another look and whether or not he felt the same I was uncertain of. I knew better than to push it.
I also knew the Italian meant no offense. They had particular names for us as we did for them. The old way. But our organizations were different in that Luciano still concentrated on his less than scrupulous businesses, sprinkling in a very nice casino that was relatively new. From what I’d heard from Aleks, his own daughter had asked that he shift gears.
Raphaella could run the casino after he was gone.
If Aleks would allow it.
Hell, the three of us were old school as well, at least in the way of women. I kind of enjoyed that more than I’d thought I would.
Aleks gave me a long hard look. “Don’t worry, Don Bernardi, we aren’t necessarily fond of the Italians either.”
Everyone laughed.