Page 39 of Puma's Pride

“Chicago?” I press after the women leave. I glance at Spark, and he nods back. He’s recording our conversation.

“About once a year, several of the various crime organizations get together to discuss business.” Sal says. “It’s usually held on neutral ground, meaning not at any buildings or sites owned by any of the participants. We meet to keep the conflicts down to a minimum. None of us wins if the violence takes over. We move the meetings around each year. They’re usually held by someone who wants to curry favor with any or all of us. This year we were meeting in Chicago.”

“Do you usually attend?” I ask.

“Not always. But this year, Adella asked several of us to go. The man who was hosting it, a Gareth Standish, was looking for contacts to expand his human trafficking business. Adella wanted us to find out what we could about him and his operation.”

“Why?”

“She despises the practice. It’s her one hard and fast rule. She doesn’t care if we deal in guns, art, secrets, drugs, whatever. Except people. She promises to destroy cartels if she discovers them even considering it.”

“What did she want you to do in Chicago?”

“She wanted us to gather as much information as we could and report back to her.”

“What happened?” I ask, not ready to show my hand.

Sal shrugs. “Chaos. I arrived to discover that several of the attendees died in an explosion the night before at this new sex club Standish was opening.” He takes a shaky breath. “I almost lost Junior that night.”

“How?”

“Standish invited several of the men to a private party at a sex club. I never go to those parties. I have my Katrina and have no desire to be with another woman. Junior went because he’s still looking for his match. I keep telling him he won’t find them in places like that.” Sal gives a sad smile. “He knows it. He just isn’t ready to settle down. Although after that night, I think he may change his mind.”

“What happened?” I press. I’m trying to stay calm. To keep my anger from seeping into my tone. If Sal or his son had any foreknowledge of Standish’s plan, I’ll kill them both.

“Junior called me after he left the party. Something he overheard had him bailing. He heard a comment made by one of the Bratva men that there were only going to be four women. That the men could do whatever they wanted to them, even kill them. Junior freaked. He grabbed his friends and left. He called me as they were on their way back to the hotel. They were only a block away when they heard the explosion. I flew out immediately, picked up Junior, and brought him home. Now I’m afraid I’m going to lose him.”

I study Sal as he struggles to control his emotions. “Why do you think you’re going to lose him?” I finally ask.

“The families who lost people are obviously upset. They think someone set them up. They’re looking at those who survived the bombing. Specifically, those who were at the club and left prior to the explosion.” Sal explains.

“What about the women?” I ask, although I know the answer. “Did he even try to save them?”

“Junior was certain the women weren’t in the building yet.” Sal explains.

“Does anyone know what happened in Chicago?” I ask him. “You mentioned a Standish who was hosting the meeting. Was he at the sex club when it blew?”

Sal frowns. “I don’t think so. Junior said Standish was bringing the women, and they hadn’t arrived before he left.” I say nothing as I watch Sal work it out in his head. “Fuck. He’s probably the one who set the bomb. He wasn’t trying to make contacts, he was trying to kill his competition.”

I don’t let my expression change, but inside, I’m grinning. “Where is he? This Standish person? What was his full name?”

“Gareth Standish.” Sal growls out. “I don’t know where he is, but we’ll find him. I’m taking this back to those who lost their family members.” Sal leans back in his chair. The man looks older than his age, which is rare. “I could have lost two of my sons in less than twenty-four hours.” Sal admits. “Thanks for not killing Josef. I’ve got my men searching for Juan. I’ll do what is necessary to keep him from hurting Alisa. You have my word.”

“Thanks.” I tell him. “How did he get you into your trunk? Does he have keys to your cars?”

“No, of course not. Only my driver.” Sal frowns. “Well, shit.”

“You said someone mugged your driver, right? Do you think his mugger took the keys?” I ask.

Sal nods. “Yes. Damn. I didn’t think. With everything that’s happened, I can’t believe I didn’t put that together. I saw the video of the mugging, but I didn’t recognize him. Of course, I only saw him from the back?”

“So, it wasn’t Juan?” I ask, and he shakes his head. “Could it have been someone working with him? I admit I saw the surveillance footage as well. It looked like your driver recognized his attacker. Have you been able to speak with him?” I ask. “Can he identify him?”

Sal shakes his head. “He’s still in a coma. The attack was brutal.”

“And no one from your organization recognized him?” I ask.

Sal opens his mouth and closes it again. “You think someone from our organization did this?”

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