Page 56 of Calder Country

“You always have. That hasn’t changed. What’s happening?”

“For starters, it’s Colucci. He’s supposed to be putting my share of the profits into an account I set up for when I leave this place. I’m beginning to think he’s holding out on me.”

“The way things are going, I suspect there might be nothing to hold out,” Mason said.

“No, I know better,” Taviani said. “He’s dealing with Al Capone on the side, giving him part of my share to keep him happy. If you’re being cut out, it’s because Colucci knows you’re my friend.”

“But it was Capone who got us the De Havilland.”

“I know. But Capone never does anything without a good reason. I don’t trust him. And I don’t trust Colucci.”

“So what are you thinking?”

“That Colucci needs to be replaced with a man I can trust—a man like you.”

Mason could guess what the old man was thinking. Colucci would simply disappear—Taviani had plenty of outside connections to make that happen.

But did he want to take over Colucci’s job, including all the power and risk associated with it? Mason had never aspired to that level of involvement. All he’d ever wanted was the money. But Taviani could be ruthless when people didn’t follow his orders. How could he say no to the old man without making himself a target?

“There’s something else,” Taviani said. “Colucci’s pilot, a woman, is passing information to the feds. I need to get rid of her before I make changes.”

Mason’s pulse lurched. He forced himself to speak calmly. “How do you know about her?”

“Her father is a prisoner here. A few days ago, he was bragging about the special treatment he gets because of his daughter. When I showed a friendly interest, the fool admitted that she was an informant, working as a pilot for Colucci.”

Mason struggled to take in the new reality. Ruby had been passing everything she knew about the operation—and about him—to federal agents, probably to protect her father. Earlier, when he’d urged her to leave, she’d protested that obligations forced her to stay. Now he understood.

Not that it gave him any comfort. Ruby had lied to him. And what she’d likely told the feds could put him right back behind bars.

“Does Colucci know?” Mason’s heart was pounding.

“Not yet. I get the impression he’s sweet on her—too sweet to do what I need done. And he depends on her for the deliveries. I’d like to keep things that way until they’re both taken care of. That’s where you come in. I can hire somebody to take out Colucci. But I know the woman makes deliveries to you. You could arrange a little accident for her.”

“I’m a bootlegger, not a murderer,” Mason said, hiding his shock.

Taviani chuckled. “There’s a first time for everybody. Take out the woman, and Colucci’s job is yours. You’ll have the power to hire who you want, bring in all the goods you need, and take your cut of every delivery—as long as you give me my share. So what do you say?”

Mason hesitated. He could say no, but if he refused, Taviani would find somebody else to kill Ruby. The only hope of keeping her safe would be to agree and stall for time. Ruby had deceived him and worked against him. But her life mattered more to him than he’d realized until now.

“If she’s reporting to the feds, the damage is already done,” he said. “Why not use her—feed her false information to pass on? She’ll be no use to you dead.”

“Forget that. Too many things could go wrong. Are you up for the job, or do I find somebody else to do it?”

Again, Mason hesitated. If this was a test, he was already in danger of failing. “All right,” he said. “But if you want it done right, it’s going to take time. You could arrange a shipment. I could do it then.”

“No time for that, and I can’t lose another plane.” Taviani’s voice had taken on an edge. “I want her gone before she can do any more damage. And I’ll need proof that she’s dead. However you do it, it’s got to happen fast.”

“What about Colucci?”

“Leave him to me.” Mason could hear muffled voices in the background. “I have to go. Let me know when you’ve done your job.” Taviani ended the call.

Mason hung up the receiver and walked out onto the front porch. The rising moon cast the trees into ghostly shadows. The night wind stirred the falling leaves and carried the scent of the season’s first cold storm—coming early this year, even for Montana. He felt the touch of a damp nose against his hand. His fingers rubbed the massive head. A tail thumped against his legs. Brutus had finally made peace with him.

Was Ruby safe tonight? Or had Taviani, sensing Mason’s hesitation, already sent one of his minions to murder her?

The old man was as unpredictable as a wounded leopard, killing without provocation and without remorse. No one was safe, not even Mason. If he were to violate Taviani’s trust, he would never be allowed to live. He knew too many secrets.

If Ruby was in Miles City, she could already be in danger. He needed to find her, to protect her or at least to warn her. And he knew of only one place to look. Taviani would know of it, too. Colucci would have told him.

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