Page 4 of Count Down

“Surprisingly well. The Irish are fucking pissed,” Mateo says.

“Yeah, well. You knew that would happen when you started pushing into their territory.”

“Raf says he’s got a plan,” Mateo adds.

“Sounds like he’s got that real leadership quality you’re looking for. Someone to possibly take your place when you take your father’s spot as Boss?”

“Well, I’ve got to find a good leader somewhere.” Mateo leans forward with his elbows on his desk. He starts counting people off on his fingers. “Damien barely wants any role, never mind Underboss. Dario’s… Well Dario’s Dario. Give him a few years and we’ll see. You?” He gestures to me. “Have you changed your mind?”

“I’m good at what I do,” I say.

“Knocking people off?”

“Yes,” I answer. “And I’mnotgood at what you do.”

“Bossing people around?”

“No, being a pain in our ass. What about Raine? She’s not on your list? You don’t think she’s got leadership potential?” I ask.

“She’s got more potential than anyone,” Mateo says. “But you know how Leo is.”

“Traditional?” I offer.

“That’s a nice way to put it. I don’t think he’ll ever let us train a girl to be Underboss. Not as long as he’s Consigliere.”

A buzz comes from the phone on Mateo’s desk. He looks at the screen, then pushes a button.

“Hey, can you go meet Raf at the elevator?” Mateo gestures to the hall outside the door. “Make it look formal. Make him sweat a bit.”

I down the last of my coffee and set the cup on Mateo’s desk as I get up. “Like I said, you’re good at what you do.”

* * *

Raf proposed that we could temporarily cool things down with the Irish by offering them something they wanted. Normally, we’d never offer such a thing, but Raf’s suggestion would benefit us as well. He said that we should assassinate the District Attorney. Or that I should assassinate him. That we could negotiate with the Irish for a ceasefire while we get rid of the DA. It would also buy us time stockpile more weapons and be ready for therealfight with the Irish.

He's got a point. There’s no reason we should fight the Irish and the DA at the same time. I like to give Mateo shit, but he never lets his ego get in the way of a good strategy. It’s what makes him a worthwhile leader. He doesn’t care if the Irish think he’s showing weakness if it means he’ll come out stronger in the long run.

And even if the Irish know we’re up to something, they’ll agree to a ceasefire to get rid of the District Attorney. Every mafioso in Philadelphia wants this District Attorney gone. The Irish don’t need to know how we’re going to get rid of him. We like to keep my role in the Barones a secret.

I start researching Richard Nicoletti right after the meeting with Mateo and Raf. It’s a bit trickier with such a public figure. The kind whose death would cause headlines and ensuing investigations. Public figures like this are hard to get access to without being noticed, so it’s crucial it looks like an accident.

Tonight, I’ve come to the Philadelphia Ballet Theatre’s performance ofLa Bayadéreto observe Nicoletti. There aren’t a lot of places that he consistently shows up, but his daughter is a dancer for PBT, and so far, he’s come to every closing show.

I stand outside the theater entrance, watching to see if he’ll show up. I’m sure anyone that sees me just assumes that my date has forced me to take her to the ballet and I’m waiting for her.

It’s getting close to call time, when District Attorney Richard Nicoletti and his wife get out of a black car in front of the theater entrance. He seems like someone who’s being dragged to the ballet. Like he’d rather be anywhere else. His wife is equally dull. They both look as if going to see their daughter in a ballet is a chore.

I let a few people enter after them before I follow. The usher tears my ticket and gives me directions to my seat. I pretend to listen, but instead follow the Nicolettis up to the balcony. As we climb the stairs, the lights slowly flash and a bell rings, signaling to the attendees to finish up their pre-show drinks and make their way to their seats.

The influx of patrons keeps the ushers busy. I grab a program off a stand and head to a row of empty seats at the back. A seat at the aisle gives me a decent view of Nicoletti and his wife as they get to their seats in the front row of the balcony.

Tonight is not the night I kill DA Nicoletti. This is just research. The ballet is one of the few predictable places that I can expect him to be. This is the last performance of the season, but I also know that his daughter is featured in the summer showcase in a few weeks. I know Nicoletti will be there, too.

I’ll be watching the Nicolettis probably more than the ballet. A theater like this isn’t great for staging an accidental death. But it’s not the worst. There are a lot of other people to account for. You have to target the accident to the right person in a crowd of thousands. But if you do it right, there’s almost no suspicion of foul play.

Nicoletti’s front row balcony seats are season tickets, so I know where he’ll be sitting. My first thought is he could fall over the rail. But the first thought is usually the most obvious. And usually the worst. It’s predictable and hard to stage. And in this case, much too dramatic.

For now, I’m just watching what he does throughout the night. Does he head to the bathroom alone? Does he go backstage after the show?