“My woman is not your sacrificial lamb,” I’d repeated, pissed at the very idea of it being brought up again.
They retorted that since she was considered my property no one at Kruna would touch her. They had special devices that would fly under radar by typical bug detecting devices. They recommended I avoid the wire if at all possible because if there was any suspicion whatsoever it would be more likely that they’d check me for bugs and her bra would be made of some material that would mask it, whereas if I wore the bug in my pocket or whatever, it could be detected. If I got stuck, I should snip that section out, leaving it in the bra fabric, before planting it on myself somewhere.
We discussed logistics, they badgered me about trying to get Tommy more on board, and Randall tried to get pushy again.
“My brother can’t help you with Kruna. My brother hasn’t yet met any of these fuckers, we’ve had one conference call where Tommy was present but you already know that shit because Zack recorded that call so my guess is that you’ve heard the tape. Tommy does not play in that world. He’s focusing on getting Contessa back right now.”
“We know he was privy to some of your father’s dealings in human trafficking…”
“Tommy knew my father knew people and knew Pop frequented an overseas sex resort. That was the extent of his knowledge. Tommy didn’t even know Lisa was bought and had no day-to-day dealings with that trade. Knowledge and participation are two different things and Tommy’s knowledge was minimal, participation: nil.”
They had to know this, if they’d spent effort building a case against my father. They also had Tommy’s head shrink on staff so whatever my brother had copped to with him in his efforts to clear his conscience or whatever the fuck he was trying to do, clearly they didn’t have all that much. I hoped.
Randall and Hal left and me and Zack were alone again. I had a lot to chew on. Certain things happening might make witness protection better for all of us. Getting through all of this without the Ferrano name being mud was possible but would be tricky. I’d already given a lot of requirements that had to be worked into my written ‘deal’.
We were gonna have another meet before I left for Thailand to discuss the revised terms.
Of course I didn’t want to go into witness protection. But I wanted to carve out at least a few options so I could pick the best of them when this all shook out.
“I got a number. You can speak to your sister. All right?”
That got my attention and settled me down for a minute because I’d lost a lot of fuckin’ sleep worrying about her in the past week.
He plucked a phone out of his jeans pocket and fiddled a minute and then put it on the table between us on hands-free.
“Hello.” A male voice greeted, finally, on the fourth ring.
“Lex? Jacobs here. I have Dario with me and you’re on speaker.”
Silence.
Zack gestured to me and looked at the phone.
“Where’s Tess?” I didn’t bother with useless greetings.
“She’s safe here,” the voice answered, “She has been safe since she came to me. She’s comfortable and well. She’ll be sent home with our mutual acquaintance when he arrives tomorrow.”
The guy didn’t have a Mexican accent. If anything, he sounded like he could’ve been brought up here in our neighborhood.
“And you have my sister-in-law?” I ventured.
“I do.”
“I’d appreciate it if you would send her back with Tess. I will make it worth your while,” I tried.
“She’s not for sale.”
“Her sister---”
The guy cut me off, “I’m aware of the situation. I’m telling you, she is not negotiable. I said this to Zack Jacobs. I went to great expense to acquire your sister. She is the peace offering.”
“I’m aware and I’m appreciative. This is my wife’s sister we’re talking about right now. Do you know the backstory?”
“I do. Show your appreciation for my saving your sister from what we both know would have been a horrific end by dropping your hunt for your wife’s sister. You now know who has her and it’s me. She’s staying put.”
I looked to Zack. Zack gave me a pointed look.
“You know all of it?” I tried to confirm. “Know they’ve been apart for two years, not knowing where the other was?”