Page 36 of Volatile Vice

I walk past them to the family room where I sit down with the book.

I need to speak to Falcon alone. A man is dead.

What the hell is this screwed-up world I’m living in?

I should get past Vinnie. He’s not good for me. He told me as much.

But my God…

He invades my every thought. Every single thought.

I need to see him. At least talk to him. Find out why he left so abruptly. Tell him what happened to Brick Latham.

He hasn’t answered, but maybe he’ll answer if I use the burner phone Falcon gave me.

I punch in the number.

No answer. It eventually goes to voicemail.

You’ve reached Vincent Gallo Junior. I apologize that I can’t take your call at the moment. Please leave a detailed message and I’ll return your call as soon as I get the chance.

That’s it, in his beautiful deep monotone voice.

Nothing like how it sounded when he was looking in my eyes, telling me how beautiful I am.

Will he return the call this time?

I open the book that I pulled off the library shelf. Then I laugh out loud.The Godfatherby Mario Puzo.

I grabbed a fucking Mafia book.

Who says the universe doesn’t have a sense of humor?

12

VINNIE

Two hours later I’m back in my office. I grab a burner phone, leave the office, and then leave the building. I’m on the streets of downtown Austin when I call the number the nanny left on the card.

It was just a number. No name. Nothing else.

“Hello?”

“Yes, hello. You gave me this number?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about, sir. Are you trying to reach Freddie’s dry-cleaning? Because I get my number mistaken for theirs a lot.”

Is this some kind of message? I don’t know, but I decide to play long. “Yes, I am. My apologies. Looks like I transposed a few numbers. So sorry for the bother.”

“Not at all. I’m used to it. Have a good day, sir. I’m sure you’ll be able to get in touch with them soon.”

The call ends with a click.

Then I wait.

Five minutes go by. Then ten. Just as it’s coming up on fifteen minutes, my phone buzzes with a number I don’t recognize.

“Yes?” I say into the phone.

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