“Italian chicken at Irene’s. You’ll stay fully dressed, including your shoes, then I’ll drop you off here and you can finish your book.”
Dallas pointed at the tray. “Why not forget I’m an idiot, then, and finish your coffee?”
“I have an appointment I unfortunately can’t reschedule, so I have to get going.”
“Does that mean Susan Wilkins brews a better pot than I do?”
Remi was surprised when the usually quiet Simon started laughing. “I wouldn’t know, and I don’t see any future opportunities to try anything she’s brewing,” she said, finding Dallas attractive but irritating. But she was beginning to realize all kinds of things about herself, namely that no other woman in her life had challenged her like this, much less that she’d enjoy it. With Dallas if she wanted more she’d have to work for it.
Dallas glanced down at her feet, and when she made eye contact again, Remi read her facial expression as contrite. “Sorry, that was out of line.”
“Don’t apologize for being straightforward. It’s refreshing,” Remi said, meaning every word, but she glanced at her watch and saw her fun was over. She took a card out of her pocket and handed it to Dallas. “Thanks for seeing me but I really have to get going.”
Dallas closed her fingers around it and watched Remi leave, her boots echoing along the slate. Her shoulders slumped as soon as the lock clicked closed. This had been her chance with Remi, and she’d blown it in spectacular form. Before she could get too depressed, she studied the heavy linen paper with raised ink. It showed only Remi’s name and a phone number, no company and no position. She wasn’t sure why Remi had given it to her until she flipped it over.
“How about tonight?” Dallas asked, when Remi answered after she dialed the listed number.
“If I’m back in time I’d love to, but I really don’t know when I’ll be through.”
“It doesn’t matter, give me a call. If it’s late I’ll fix something here to make up for acting like I have no control of my mouth.”
“That sounds like something to look forward to. I’ll see you tonight.”
*
“Ready to buy a casino?” Remi asked Cain as they boarded the plane.
“Can’t wait.” Cain paused at the door to wait for Muriel, watching her stare at the surveillance team boarding a nearby plane so they could tag along. “Want to talk about it?”
“Nothing to talk about,” Muriel said as she quickly climbed the steps. “More like loose ends that need to be tended to.”
“Rash decisions aren’t your style.”
Muriel clicked her seatbelt on and put her hand on Cain’s forearm. “I’m not making any quick decisions, just trying to make the right ones. You’ll have to trust me.”
“You have my trust, but don’t forget you have the right to ask me for help if you need it.”
“I know that, but I’d rather take care of this myself.”
For the rest of the trip the group discussed the pending deal. That morning they were sitting down with Richard Bowen to finalize the deal, but they weren’t stupid. The Jatibons and Cain knew Richard no more owned the Capri than Dwayne, Steve, and Ross would after the sale. He was Nunzio Luca’s front man in the casino and on paper.
“The fact that Nunzio Luca’s willing to sell at all still surprises me,” Ramon said.
“True, since from what I’m hearing he’s partnering with Rodolfo Luis,” Cain said. “After Stephano’s retirement, and considering Nunzio’s expansion plans, I would’ve thought he’d have kept the first stop in the supply chain.”
“Maybe he’s made other arrangements,” Steve said.
“Not likely, and that’s the only part of this situation I can’t work out,” Cain said, and Remi nodded.
“What’s your best guess?” Dwayne asked.
“Nunzio’s been lured by the quick buck. To rise to where he wants in the drug-lord food chain, he needs cash to build up his network.”
“Have you met this guy?” Ramon asked. “I know Rodolfo, but haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Nunzio.”
“You’re not missing much. I met him one night at my old club Emerald’s. He reminded me a lot of Giovanni in that he thinks killing enough people will solve any problem.”
Remi crossed her legs and looked from Ramon to Cain. “I’ve dealt with him on a few occasions, so I have to agree with your assessment. You really think we’re financing his expansion?”
“Like I said, I haven’t figured it all out, but we need to be vigilant. If that
“We don’t intimidate easily,” Remi said.
“Wait until you have a four-year-old,” Cain said, laughing.
*
As Remi got into the waiting black limousine, followed by Cain, Muriel, and Juno, she said, “I hate these things. They always remind me of either a funeral or a wedding, which is kinda the same thing when you think about it.”
“I don’t know. According to Simon, we may have you fitted for a tux before too long,” Juno said.
“I just want to have dinner with her to discuss her upcoming project without that asshole around.”
