My turn.
“Mr. Anderson, I understand that you come from a military family, is that correct?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Your father and grandfather also served, is that right?”
“Correct.”
“And do I understand rightly that your grandfather was killed in action during World War II?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. I never knew him.”
“I see. And where was he killed? If you don’t mind my asking.”
“Italy.”
“Italy.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“I see. So then, is it safe to say that your family has an inherent bias against Italians?”
Anderson, Miller and pretty much everyone else in the room was stunned.
“What?”
“You’re biased against Italians. Your grandfather was killed by them, after all. The Axis and all that.”
“I don’t…” He looked over to Miller and then the judge. “Is this for real?”
“I can assure you it’s definitely for real, Mr. Anderson. I object to this jurist. He won’t be able to offer a fair and impartial viewing of the evidence.”
Moreno sighed.
“Ms. Vercetti, are you sure this is the road you want to go down?”
“Absolutely, Your Honor. I’m well within my rights.”
“Fine. Mr. Anderson, you’re dismissed. Thank you for your service.”
“You’re welcome… I guess. I don’t understand this.”
He got up and left the room, muttering to himself the entire time.
“Counselors, approach the bench please.”
We walked over, Miller staring at me and shaking his head.
“Ms. Vercetti, don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing here.”
“I’m not doing anything, Your Honor, except looking out for my client.”
“You bet, Counselor. We’re going to break for the day. This better not continue into the next session. Is that clear?”
“Understood, Your Honor.”
“All right. We’re adjourned for the day.”
She banged her gavel and that was that.
I packed up my paperwork, hoping against hope that Indro had managed to find something out. ‘Cause we needed it. Badly.
Chapter Twenty-One
Indro
There was one sure-fire place I knew of to get some information and to get it quickly. The worst-kept secret amongst the families was that the Loggias held an underground poker game every week. The location would move around, but if you knew what palms to grease and what network to pay attention to, you could find out where it was.
I reached out to my contacts and learned that the poker game was being held in the basement of a bowling alley near the river. It was a favorite spot for the game, in fact. For some reason, people got off on the sounds of the balls rushing down the lanes and the crash of the pins as they fell down.
Gave the joint atmosphere, they said. I always thought you could do just as well by putting on some Sinatra, but what did I know?
Word also came down to me that one Loggia family member in particular was going to be there: Enzio.
The reason that was of particular importance was that Enzio was the wise guy I knew who had that scorpion tattoo. So… may as well make sure it was the same dude. And see what he had to say for himself if he was.
I got to the bowling alley and went inside. There were a few bowlers about, rolling a few frames here and there. I counted my blessings. If it had been a league night, the place would have been packed with drunken yahoos all wanting to prove how tough they were while they drank their Miller High Life.
I nodded to the bouncer at the door to the basement. He cocked his head at me.
“Indro? That you? Haven’t seen you in an age.”
“Yeah, well. What can I say? Been keeping busy. Idle hands and all that.”
“Uh-huh,” he said, giving me a suspicious look. “Ain’t you about to be tried for murder too? That’s the word on the street.”
I flashed a winning smile.
“Can’t believe everything you hear. You know that.”
“Sure thing. Well. In any event, hope you beat the rap.”
“Thanks. Can I get into the game?”
“Gotta frisk you first, Indro. You know the rules.”
I did indeed. I raised my arms above my head and let him pat me down. I wasn’t carrying. It would’ve been stupid to bring a piece here.
“All right. You’re good. Got something for the buy-in? Minimum is five large.”
“Hey,” I said, spreading my hands out wide. “I look like a rookie to you?”
He chuckled at that and opened the door for me, stepping aside. I clapped him on the shoulder and stepped in.
It was like entering a different world. There were five tables going, each with about eight guys, complete with official dealers and a pretty girl behind the makeshift bar, making drinks to order.
A couple of waitresses with short skirts and high heels brought the drinks to the tables, refilled the snacks and tried to avoid all the grabby hands coming at them all night. I imagined it was like trying to play tag with a bunch of octopuses. Not an easy gig, that’s for sure.
I scanned the room through a haze of cigarette smoke, looking for Enzio. There was a crash as another set of pins went down above us. No one even looked up at me as I entered the room.
Leaning on a corner of the bar, his back to me, I saw him. He had a drink in his hand and as he brought it up to his mouth, I spotted the scorpion tat. Enzio.
I walked over to him, offering some greetings to the few that looked up long enough from their cards to notice me.
Sitting down on the bar stool next to him, I tapped his shoulder. Enzio turned to look at me.
“Yeah?” he said, sounding bored. Then his eyes grew wide when he saw it was me.
“Indro…. uh… hey, man. What brings you by? Looking to make some scratch?”
“Nah, I don’t like to gamble. Hard as that may be to believe. I like a sure thing. Know what I mean, Enzio?”
“Uh. Yeah. Sure.”
“I actually came here looking for you.”
He flinched a little at that. Not much, but I saw it. He was worried.
“What for?”
“Well, here’s the thing, Enz, between you and me… I been spending some time
