Page 19 of Violent God

“You will?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

I mean that.

Before we walk away, I get the satisfaction of seeing Caruso see the total of the bill. His cheeks turn bright red as he looks up at the server in horror.

Brooks laughs under his breath as we leave. “Bet he’ll never forget this moment.”

“Bet he’ll never look at a glass of Macallan the same again.”

Because this meal just cost him nearly 400-K.

Brooks and I make our way outside to the waiting SUV. I’m dialing Blanc before we leave the curb, putting the call on speaker phone so Brooks can hear.

“This better be important,” Blanc answers. “I’m jet-lagged and about to go to bed.”

“I just came from an interview with Brooks Henderson.”

Blanc hums. “And?”

“And what in the fuck are we doing letting pieces of shit like Giosuè Caruso into the Brotherhood?”

“Pieces of shit like that, as you so eloquently put it, are how the Brotherhood can payroll several things.” He pauses, inhaling deeply before continuing, “In fact, I’d wager you yourself have benefited from pieces of shit like that.”

“Thought you gave up smoking,” I answer, calling him out on his long inhale moments ago.

“Watching a man you’ve worked with for over fifty years turn up murdered with his finger shoved up his ass makes one realize what’s important. If I’m going to die, then I’ll die with a cigar to my lips.”

“How poetic. Does that mean you’ve received a letter that I need to know about?”

Blanc sighs. “Listen. I understand that this one might not be the best fit for the Brotherhood, but Zhang asked for Caruso to be invited to be a member.”

“What does Caruso have on Zhang?”

Because that’s the only thing that makes sense.

Blanc says, “I don’t know and don’t want to know. He asked, so we’re going to make it happen.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that,” he agrees. “Now, I’m going to get off here and enjoy this glass of brandy with my cigar before I call it a night.”

He ends the call before I can reply.

Brooks says, “I hate to say I told you so.”

I tap my fingers on my thigh, thinking. “Does Grant still have connections to his old job?”

“Considering the Fraternal Order of Police is backing him and his campaign, I’d say it’s a safe bet. Why?”

“Because I need to do some digging without the Brotherhood catching wind.”

“Got it. What about the wedding?”

“What about it?”

“Are we really going?”

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