The directors had managers who reported to them. The managers were responsible for managing the supervisors. The supervisors were responsible for overseeing street-level activities and had direct contact with street workers. None of the managers were part of the Assembly, and only a limited number of managers knew about the shady part of the business. One of these managers would be promoted to take Jason’s place.
Everyone waited until I left the room before making their exit. It was time to head up to my suite. My security detail, the CSOs, and I made our way back to the lobby and headed for the elevator. As we walked past the lobby, I asked Chris how much we were paying Jason.
“He gets ten million credits per annum before bonuses,” Chris replied.
“Okay, so he is getting nearly as much as our more experienced directors then,” I said.
“Yes, Dom, he is,” Chris replied.
“I see,” I said, as I went over what Jason said in my head.
We both stopped talking as we got in the elevator. The operator didn’t need to ask which floor, he pressed the button for the eleventh floor, the penthouse. We exited the elevator and entered the suite, while the security detail waited outside the door.
“Dom, I take it you want us to get rid of him?” Alex asked.
“Can you imagine the nerve of that guy—I mean, is he on drugs? Clearly something’s up with him. He is well paid, and he complains about not getting a bonus for a few months? We can’t risk having someone like this around—he’ll give us up at the first opportunity. I’ll need to talk to him first to find out if he has been chirping, and if he has, find out what he’s been saying.”
We would need to take Jason out in the cleanest way possible, because his death would raise alarms if the appropriate precautions weren’t put into place. It was a shame, really, and it broke my heart that he said what he did in that meeting. Many years ago, my dad had a conversation with me about running a business. He said that one needed to pay close attention to the things that employees talked about. He believed, since employees could make or break a business, having insight into employee morale could prove invaluable. The words of an employee would give one a clear understanding of how they felt about their role within a business, and this had a direct correlation to their level of loyalty to that business. I felt that the comment by Jason showed that he only cared about himself, and if that was the case, then he would be capable of betraying me.
Chapter 11
Progression
Where: Guillermo’s Cabana, North Walnut Grove, Miami
When: 1630 hours, Wednesday, January 15, 2010
Currency: US dollar
“Hi, Pops.”
“Hi, son. You’re late again.”
“I know. Sorry about that.”
“Let me guess, you’ve been hanging out with Christopher and Alexander again.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Son, I keep telling you, you are way too smart to be hanging around with those boys. They are nothing but trouble. What do you see in them anyway?”
“Well…”
“Don’t even bother answering, I don’t want to know. How was school today?”
“We had an algebra test today. I got an A.”
“See what I mean, smart. You really need to focus on your studies, this is how you become successful in life. You do well in school, and you will end up with the best job. You can earn your money the right way, and you don’t have to worry about cops or gangsters coming after you. You also don’t have to worry about someone trying to kill you because of something that you or your friends have done. Anyway, put your bag in the back and help me clear up these dishes.”
It had been fifteen years since Guillermo’s arrival in Miami. Anna had given birth to a baby boy shortly after they arrived. They had named him Edwardo. Young Edwardo was vibrant and inquisitive, unlike his older sister, Isabel. She was more of an introvert and only interested in her studies. She was studying at the community college in Miami to become a nurse. After years of hard work, Guillermo was able to open a Dominican restaurant similar to the one that he had left behind in Puerto Plata. It even had similar décor. Since Guillermo couldn’t afford to hire people to work in the restaurant, everyone in the family had to chip in. Anna did most of the cooking while Guillermo dealt with the customers. After school hours, Edwardo helped with the cleaning up and dishes. Isabel chipped in whenever she didn’t have lectures or assignments. From time to time, the kids got some pocket money for helping out.
Edwardo was a smart kid who loved making money. He was also a dreamer like his father. He hoped to become rich one day. He used his pocket money to buy things at a discounted price and then sell them to students in school. He sold everything: jeans, caps, baseball cards, T-shirts, sneakers. He had the entrepreneurial spirit, just like his dad. At the age of fifteen, he had amassed over a thousand dollars. He understood the value of money and liked having cash in his pockets.
Edwardo picked up the dishes and headed for the kitchen, dropping his school bag near the kitchen entrance. Anna kept the kitchen, her pride
