Page 29 of Shakedown in Savannah

“She loves that dog,” Tony said.

“And he loves her just as much,” Carlita said.

Pete, Carlita and her children gathered at the kitchen bar, going over everything they had. She grabbed a notepad and began taking notes.

-Marshland Investment Group. Property at 8807 Morton Street, Savannah, GA.

-Danny Lombardo, Sicily, Italy. Lender.

-Amount owed: $500k plus taxes paid.

-Pay full amount in less than 24 hours or cough up ½ the restaurant, pawn shop and apartment rental profits.

-Enzo and Costanza returning the following day.

-Per bank manager, cannot get the money in time for the meeting.

Carlita tapped the tip of her pen on top of the notepad. “I’m able to get the money, but it won’t be by tomorrow morning.”

“Maybe when we meet with them, we can explain the situation and ask for more time,” Mercedes said.

“They’re not gonna agree to a delay,” Vinnie said. “I would bet my life on it.”

“You were working on getting more information about them,” Tony reminded him.

“They’re from Sicily, expanding operations here on the East Coast. From what I’m hearing, Danny Lombardo was feeling the squeeze from some Sicilian associates and decided to move his ‘family’ to the States.”

“He’s not a part of the Castellini family?” Pete asked.

“Nope. My guess is he got here and figured it was time to collect Pops’ debt. I’m sure he and / or his thugs have already been by the Morton Street property.”

“Based on their suggestion we go take a look at it as well as their comments, I’m certain they have,” Mercedes said. “Lombardo must’ve done some digging around. He found out about Ma and her businesses and figures he’s hit the jackpot.”

Vinnie spread the papers out on the counter and began going over them. “Talk about a one-sided agreement. You either pay up or start paying big time.”

“Principal, interest, taxes,” Carlita rattled off.

“This right here.” Vinnie jabbed the paper. “Half of net profit for loan repayment and for property protection. This is a shakedown if I ever saw one. There’s no end in sight. You’re gonna pay on this for the rest of your life.”

“And if I don’t?”

“I saw the picture you sent me. How rough is the rest of the Morton Street property?”

“It’s a teardown,” Mercedes said. “It looks like someone tossed a bomb in the front door and blew the place up.”

“And set what was left of it on fire,” Carlita added.

“My guess is this is what will happen to the restaurant, the pawn shop, the apartments, if you don’t agree,” Vinnie said.

“So even if I came up with the cash to pay off the debt, Lombardo isn’t interested.”

“I can’t say for certain, at least not yet. We need a little inside intel. Where’s Luigi?”

“How can Luigi help?”

“He’s from Sicily. He speaks their language. In fact, he might even know Lombardo.”

“Good point. Why didn’t I think of that?” Tony removed his cell phone from his pocket. “I’ll give him a call.”

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