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“I’m not. My mother is Carol, your sister. I was adopted in 1998. There are photos of you at my birthdays.” He thinks. “I was at your house last Christmas. Jacqueline made homemade ornaments for everyone.”
There are murmurs around the room again. Anyone who knows Jacqueline knows three things about her. One, her full name. Two, that she is an heiress to a chewing gum empire. Three, that she’s crafty and loves giving out handmade gifts. She did, in fact, give the Members of the Brotherhood homemade ornaments last Christmas.
Blanc asks Neil, “Were you spying on Moretti for your uncle?”
“I was. He wanted to know where Moretti went and who he was with. I was also watching Moretti’s wife.” He thinks. “My uncle had me email him and four other members of the Brotherhood. I’m sorry. I swear I meant no harm! He had my brother and sister watching other members, too.” He turns to Smith. “Tell them, Uncle! Tell them how you told us you would kill our mother if we didn’t help you!”
Smith remains silent.
I say, “This boy is telling the truth, but he also went against the Brotherhood and must die.”
“No!” Smith says, finally showing some kind of emotion. “That is too harsh of a punishment.”
Blanc says, “I disagree. Kill the siblings as well.”
Neil’s screams fill the room as he’s dragged away.
I turn to Smith. “Would you like to say anything else, or can we vote?”
“You think you’ve won! Well, you’re wrong! I might not live to see the day that you are brought down, but it will happen. Mark my words.” He points to the other Elite Members. “All of you will get what you deserve.”
“Are you threatening us, Smith?” Blanc asks, leaning forward in his chair.
“It’s not a threat. It’s a promise. People are ready for a change. DeLeon dying was just the beginning.”
Blanc asks, “Are you saying you had something to do with Hugo DeLeon’s death?”
“No, but whoever sent the letter did. And that person is coming for you.”
I say, “You got a letter, didn’t you? A real one. That’s why you’re so certain that we’re going to get one, too.”
He glares. “Yes, I got one.”
“I got one, too. Want to know what mine said?” I move closer. “It said that as long as pieces of shit like you were taken care of that the Brotherhood would be just fine.”
I’m paraphrasing. A lot. But he doesn’t know that.
“You mother fucking piece of?—”
His words cut off as he coughs. It’s nothing out of the ordinary until his eyes widen. Gasping, he tries to catch his breath, but only coughs more. When blood runs out of his nose, I realize what’s happening.
“He’s been poisoned,” I say to Blanc.
He says, “I assumed as much. Well, that takes care of that matter. Brothers, are you satisfied with the outcome of this?”
Ayes are spoken throughout the room. Not a single nay is heard. And right there in front of us all, Smith chokes until he dies, falling in the circle.
Blanc says, “Smith is dead. Brother Henderson, your induction will happen tomorrow. Brothers, enjoy the rest of your evening.”
I turn to Zhang. “Thank you for the support.”
“Thank you for destroying the evidence Smith had on me. Don’t think Vivian would have been able to turn another blind eye if it came out.”
Come to find out, Gia was getting around with several men within the Brotherhood, Zhang being one of them. She recorded their encounter, much like she did with Smith, and Smith was using it to force Zhang into offering Caruso an invitation to the Brotherhood.
I say, “Remember this the next time you want to fool around on your wife.”
He snorts. “Of course. If you’ll excuse me, Blanc and I have matters to discuss.”
