Street Justice by Vito Zuppardo

Author:Vito Zuppardo [Zuppardo, Vito]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Vito Zuppardo Books
Published: 2019-08-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

Howard’s ears vibrated, not from the loudness of jet engines when he walked off the airplane but from Julie’s voice. She’d preached to him the entire flight back to New Orleans. She demanded an explanation of his actions with Roberto. People just didn’t talk to a mafia boss in such a way. Condescending talk to a man with power, money, and no conscience was a way to get killed.

Howard, happy the way the meeting went, assured Julie she’d overreacted. He thanked her for the introduction to Roberto. If another sit-down was required, he’d arrange it with Bobby G. directly.

Howard asked her for one more favor. Her frustration showed. “What?”

“Call me if you get another job from Roberto.”

“Tell you if I get a contract job?” She laughed. “Why? So I can get arrested?”

“I’ll always be indebted to you,” Howard said. “I promise, and Mario too, we’ll do whatever it takes to keep you from being arrested. Unless you try to kill one of us.”

“Fair enough.” She watched his car pull away and mumbled. “That’s one crazy bastard.”

Before hitting the highway, Howard checked his calls. It was the first time he’d seen so many messages. Usually he was prompt at returning calls, but under the circumstances he wasn’t free to talk in the presence of Roberto and wasn’t answering any on the plane with Julie listening. From one assassin to another, they kept each other at arm’s length. Mario and Olivia left one unnerving message after another.

He called Mario first, and he picked up on the second ring.

“Where the hell have you been?”

“Saving your ass,” Howard said. “What’s up?”

Mario played it off casually and rattled off that the money sent back to Savino’s account was missing, Lina and Little Pete were dead, and he and Cyrus found Jay.

“And remember that we’ve been reinstated,” he said. “Pick up your gun and your shield.”

They agreed to meet at Liuzza by the Track, a mid-city grill they both favored.

Howard arrived first and got a table for two, away from the noisy bar area. That was quickly changed to a table for four when Mario walked in with Olivia and Cyrus. He welcomed them with a smile, only to get a sharp frown from Olivia.

“Holy crap.” Howard smiled with open arms. “Cyrus cleans up good.”

“Yes, thanks to the both of you,” he said. “I’ve got a job too.”

Howard gave Mario a glance. “A long story.” Then rolled his eyes.

“I’ve got to go,” Cyrus said. “My ride is waiting. I just wanted to thank you both in person for all your kindness.”

Once Cyrus departed, everyone was ready to speak out and put all the pieces of the puzzle together. Lunch was ordered and served with sweet tea, and the conversation stopped for a few seconds to eat.

Howard filled them in on the details of his meeting with Roberto. Olivia was horrified that she was a target with a thirty-day clock ticking. She asked how he got a sit-down with a mafia kingpin like Roberto. Howard was

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