“As a token of respect, I’ll agree to be patted down.” I stand and allow Callaghan’s bodyguard to check me for weapons. Finding none, I return to my seat.
Boris brings him a drink. It’s not a whiskey that Boris usually keeps on hand, but I brought a special bottle for this meeting. Callaghan takes a sip and nods.
“This is a fine drink,” Callaghan says in his thick Irish accent.
“Consider it a gift,” I reply. I watch his body language closely.
“I’ve heard some things in the wind that a lot of property has recently been purchased in the Seaport District,” he says to me, looking me in the eye.
“I’ve heard the same thing,” I reply.
“What would you know about it?” Callaghan asks.
“I’m not at liberty to speak about it. Besides, you know my business interests are elsewhere,” I tell him.
Boris brings out a plate ofpelmeni, Russian dumplings, along with some sauces and a couple of plates.
“Please, enjoy,” I say to Callaghan as I gesture towards the food.
He says nothing as he reaches for the dumplings and places some on his plate. I put a few dumplings onto my own plate and start eating.
A few minutes later, Boris brings out plates of stroganoff, and places them on the table. There’s not much conversation between myself and Callaghan, which is pretty normal for these rare meetings between bosses. We both understand that small talk is not what we’re here for.
When we’re done eating, Boris comes to clear our table, and leaves the bottle of whiskey and two new glasses.
“What is it you want, Callaghan?” I ask him as I pour the first round. Whiskey is not my preferred drink, but today I’ll make an exception.
“Right down to business, I see,” he responds. “I can appreciate that.”
“My time is valuable and I have things to do,” I tell him.
“Like Emma Murphy?” he asks, a smirk making his lips curl up at the corners.
“What the fuck did you just say?” I ask him, my blood starting to boil. The audacity of this motherfucker to lead with that, implying there’s something going on.
“Come now, Ivan. I was only joking.”
“Let’s take a page from the book the Italians use, and leave the women out of it,” I tell him. I’m seething under my skin, but my face is neutral.
“I know it was your guys who took out four of my soldiers the day before yesterday,” Callaghan starts. “That wasn’t very nice, Ivan.”
“Your guys kidnapped someone under my protection. That wasn’t very nice,Callaghan,” I mock.
“I see. Well, they were of no use to me, anyway. However, Emma Murphy is of use to me and my organization. Hand her over, and this will all be forgotten,” Callaghan replies.
“What makes you think I have her?” I ask him.
“Call it a hunch. If you don’t have her in your direct possession, then you know where she is.”
“That’s very presumptuous of you,” I tell him, taking another sip of my drink. “Why is Emma so important you need to kidnap her in the middle of day in front of people? What’s she to you?”
“What do you know of Emma Murphy?” Callaghan asks.
“I know enough,” I say.
“Then you know her father acquired a very large debt with me in order to put his daughter through school,” he begins. “He fell behind on his repayment plan. When he had a hard time coming up with the funds, I proposed a deal. He could either come up with the remainder of what he owed me or he could give me his daughter as payment.”
Declan is waiting for me to show some kind of reaction, because he pauses to take a drink of his whiskey. I don’t let any kind of emotion show on my face, even though I want to reach across the table and strangle him with my bare hands.
