“Perhaps if hell has frozen over,” Giuliano muses. “But I’m sure young Teo would be quick to remind me that Dante himself proclaimed the most hellish regions to be made of ice. Howismy favorite orphan? I note he doesn’t deign to visit.”
I keep my expression regulated with indifference. “I believe he had a blade made with your name carved along the hilt.”
Giuliano chuckles. “Such impertinence. And here I thought you condoned forgiveness.”
“Carmine Bellini,” I announce to get us back on track.
“What of him.”
“You knew him better than I.”
“He served me for twenty years,” Giuliano allows. “Does his ghost haunt you?”
I ignore him. “Who were his closest acquaintances?”
Giuliano tilts his head as if trying to decipher the meaning behind my question. “He was an accountant. The only person who could tolerate such dire conversation was Chiavari.”
I knew as much already. In fact, someone in Bellini’s position could have easily forged a loan like the one Lazzaro had obtained, which could completely discredit my theory about there being a second rat linked to Lazzaro.
But why would Bellini do such a thing for Lazzaro? It just didn’t add up.
“Your silence is disconcerting, boy. Why do you ask such questions?”
I shake my head. “Were there others he was close to?”
“He divorced his wife some time ago…” Giuliano narrows his eyes. “You believe he had a co-conspirator.”
“Information continues to leak to the Cartel. I’m simply eliminating the possibility.”
For a moment, Giuliano stares at me in silence. Then, a cruel grin stretches across his lips. “My, my. It must be dire indeed if you’ve come to me for help.”
“I merely wanted to confirm a few details.”
“Then it would be an honor to serve the new don with whatever details he might need!” Giuliano sneers.
I take a step back, recognizing the menace in his eyes instantly. “This was a mistake.”
“Have you spoken to Chiavari? Considering how close their families were and how insolent that daughter of his is, you would do well to be rid of him. He was always such a bore, whining on and on about my spending.”
“You disgraced the family name with your frivolity.”
“I will do withmyfamily name however I see fit, boy.”
I chuckle darkly. “That name holds no power for you anymore. You agreed as such upon your retirement.”
“My hands were tied,” he bites back.
“May I remind you that if you do not cooperate, I could so very easily take the title the old way. That you live here, tending to your crops, at my discretion.”
My father appraises me disapprovingly. “You will not, or else you would have done so already these last five years.”
“You are right in that regard. But I could so easily inform my contacts at the NYPD of your garden here and leave you in their more than capable hands.”
“And betray one of your own? You will be blacklisted.”
“Which is why I am grateful for your cooperation on this matter,” I snap back.
For a moment, there’s a tense beat between us. So far, everything about this conversation is so reminiscent of our previous negotiations, I may as well have taken a time machine back five years and spared myself the trouble.
