Bangkok Changes by Stephen Shaiken

Author:Stephen Shaiken [Shaiken, Stephen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: .Verified, Crime, Thriller
ISBN: 9781732147485
Publisher: Crosswinds Press
Published: 2023-03-19T05:00:00+00:00

Tommy and Paulie insisted on meeting in the nearest McDonald’s. While it would not have been their choice back home, in the absence of a genuine Brooklyn diner, the familiar fast food was their fallback. Paulie and Johnny sat at a table while Tommy stood in line to order their breakfast sandwiches and coffees. Johnny used Tommy’s absence to question Paulie. The first was whether there was any information about the three missing salesmen, if they could be called such.

“I met this guy in one of the bars, het set me up with a British guy married to a local and her brother was an officer with the cops. Still has connections. He found out a cleaning lady on a high floor of an office building reported watching three big men fight a fourth and smaller man. It lasted only a few seconds, leaving the first three dead. Too dark for any details, but she heard them speaking in English, which she doesn’t understand. The lady called it in, but when the cops finally showed up, there were no bodies.”

“Sounds like the cleaning lady has a fertile imagination,” Johnny said.

“You think Tommy’s got something to do with this Bobby Giannelli disappearing?” Paulie asked.

“I don’t know what to think,” Johnny said. “He won’t tell me who he hired for the hijacking, and I don’t buy his reasons. Santucci’s men would pay the old man his cut and not have to worry about getting whacked for disloyalty. There’s some other reason Tommy doesn’t want the boss to talk to these guys. He’ll have to tell the Boss when asked, although the Boss made it clear over here I’m acting in his place, and he’s not being fully on the up-and-up with me. Besides, Paulie, you’re the Arranger, and if Tommy wanted to cut some deal with another family, you’re the man for that job. Tommy didn’t tell me, and it’s clear he never discussed it with you or the Boss first. Maybe there’s a reason for all this secrecy, but I don’t see one unless Tommy’s hiding something from us.”

Paulie formed his lips into an O, softly expelling air in the universal sign to be quiet. Tommy was no more than twenty feet away.

“Hey, I like the McDonalds over here,” he said. “They bring the food right to our table. Almost like a restaurant.”

“While we’re waiting, let’s talk a little about the booze that’s arriving tomorrow,” Johnny said. “I want you two down at the dock to meet our man on board the ship. Don’t worry, he knows what you two look like and he’ll find you. Have you arranged for a truck to be waiting with you?”

“Of course,” Paulie replied. “After all, I’m the Arranger. Our friend Baxter will again provide men to help us. Anyone tries to track down these guys he sends, good luck.

I can always rely on Paulie, Johnny thought.

“Tommy just has to stand there looking tough when we’re dropping off the booze and when I get the money, which comes naturally to him.

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