Ranger and I spent Sunday together not talking.
Instead, we ordered out and just had a quiet day together. I don’t want to talk about RangeMan yet and Ranger refuses to discuss the op. All I know is that “Buzz Cut” has been arrested. He and Manny discussed the charges against the ringleader, but he hasn’t been arrested yet.
I hope he’s arrested soon. I’m tired of the restrictions and the bodyguards.
I’m tired of this op. Continue reading
Lula’s quiet. That’s always nerve-racking.
“Tankie?”
“Hmm?”
“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?”
Depends on what I have to lie about, but yeah, I’d lie to you in a heartbeat. Or, more correctly, I’d redirect you. “What do you want to know, Lula Bear?”
“Steph had beard burn all over her face.”
“I noticed.”
She’s quiet. “I know what I want to think but I need to know if I’m right.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t wanna be wrong.” Continue reading
I love my Babe.
She screams loud enough to bring hotel security to the room.
And Mark. He shows up, gun drawn, and is determined to search the room until he realizes his boss isn’t exactly dressed.
So is Diego. And Hec. And Connie, ML, and Candy. Each one shows up, guns drawn and confused. Well, not ML. She shows up with a pot.
“ML, what’s the pot for?”
“Well, I don’t have a gun. I found a pot. I made do, OK? I was worried and I grabbed a weapon. So sue me.” Continue reading
Dinner was excellent. I’m not the biggest fan of churrascarias (overeating’s too easy) but it was great to get everyone together and have fun. Lula looked happier than I’ve seen in months and she and Steph looked excited to talk to each other. I may have to consider going back to New Jersey more often. Lula needs her ‘peeps’.
Diego and I talked about Miami and what he wants to do there. I’m impressed by him. Lots of good ideas, strong leadership skills, no nonsense. Still a little impatient but he’ll learn. We discussed possible ideas for him to try and he looked excited by a few of them.
The RMSA men aren’t quite sure what to make of him right now. Arlo likes him but Gonzo’s not sure. Diego will have to win over Gonzo in order to get the RMSA men to like him. Gonzo can be an idiot but he’s a damn good leader and Marine. They should click off that.
Mark also had good ideas for Diego. I made an effort to talk to Mark. I have to. He’s my soldier too and now that Steph has worked her magic on him, he’s calmer. Quiet. Patient. Eventually, Lula and Steph noticed and we were banned from discussing business for the rest of the night by the ladies. Continue reading
Human nature: Try to be mysterious when trying to be sneaky.
Never works. I learned that from Les. When Les wants to be sneaky, he attracts attention. While you’re busy watching him, his associate is screwing you over and all you remember is what Les was doing. The moment you take your eyes off Les, he gets you.
Someday, Javi will figure out that’s how Les keeps stealing his ball. He already knows how he’s going to lift it. He just needs another NYC man to provide a diversion.
If I were Knox, I would never have tried to board a plane in south Florida, but if I were going to try, I would have taken a flight from Sarasota. It’s an international airport but smaller. Instead, he’s trying to sneak out via Orlando because he expects the Disney-exhausted parents and kids will hide him. Continue reading
I’m looking forward to this trip and I have to admit, Mark’s a great pilot. He invited me to sit in the cockpit with him and watch him work.
I’ve learned I don’t want to know what goes on in there. Too many buttons and he’s not using all of them.
Mark arrived from Trenton this morning with Diego, ML, Connie, and Candy. Hector and Diego immediately started whispering about something (I heard Miami and Les a lot, so I guess it went OK).
“What’s Lenny doing?”
ML looks at me and smiles. “Magda’s moved in until I return.” She’s flipping through a RedBook.
“Connie?” Even at 10,000 feet, Connie can apply polish perfectly.
“Marvin can fend for himself.”
I smile. “How’s that going?”
“Slow.” She finishes her thumb and looks up. “We’re taking our time. Between my Family and his kids, there are a lot of eyes on us. Plus, he’s busy all the time at the hospital, and me being in charge of the office meant more work. We’re moving slow.”
I grin. Ryan put the numbers out this morning and Zip and Hal were thrilled. Trenton and NYC tied this month and the guys will do anything to hold onto the crown. Meanwhile, NYC is partying. They’re ready to win it outright. Continue reading
This time, I’m not using the Reyes as the bait.
Ranger, or the possibility of Ranger’s appearance, is the bait.
The Miami men in the Trenton, Atlanta, Charlotte and Miami branches did an excellent job setting the trap. Ranger is rumored to be in one of three cities. In Philly, Ranger is meeting with Tomas and Cheeky, the Philly Inca. In Miami, he’s meeting with Danilo. In Charlotte, he’s meeting with Arturo. In Atlanta, Piman is meeting with his men in a warehouse in Doraville. Ranger will show later.
Tomas agreed to stay hidden for a night. So did Piman, Arturo, Danilo and Cheeky. Ranger is hidden in Orlando.
This will be the biggest bust yet. Continue reading
The day after Drew Stefanic died
This is the first year I’m taking Mijo trick or treating. Nikki says he’s excited. Getting to dress up, visit people and eat candy? He’s thrilled.
I know. That’s all he asks me about when we talk, whether or not I’m going to take him trick or treating. I keep telling him that I will and I’ll dress up as a ninja. So now he wants to dress up as a ninja. Nikki’s amused. She planned to dress him up as something cute, like a bum or a nerd.
Or a Pokémon.
He was excited to dress up as a Pokémon and I ask him if he still wants to be a Pokémon. Well, yes, but I’m going as a ninja so he wants to be a ninja.
He wants to be just like me.
I smile. I want him to be much better than me. I want him to never know the ugly side of life I know. So I consider this and do some research. I tell Nikki to buy him a Pokémon costume.
We’re going trick or treating as Pikachu and Ash Ketchum. Continue reading
“Steph?” I turn. Zip. “Want to try again?”
I quickly grab my things, check with Hector on 3, and join Binkie and Zip in the garage. Just like yesterday, we travel to Franklin Park and set up. It’s 0800, we have breakfast burritos from Ella and we’re feeling good, although it’s chilly. I wonder when the cold front from Boston will travel down here. I bet Mijo would love to play with some snow before he goes home.
Zip clears his throat. “Verify.”
I look. Yup, that’s the target. Drew Stefanic. He’s just climbing out of his car when I approach.
“Hi, Drew!” I’m extra loud to accommodate his hangover. Continue reading
I’m staring out of the windows, desperate for something new to do besides paperwork. Being in the building is driving me insane.
No one should be awake at 0800. It’s a crime against nature. I’ve been awake for two hours already. I think it’s time for me to do some ‘thinking’.
“Sis?” I turn. Hal. He and Ram step into my office.
“What’s up, guys?” We sit at my table and I grab a monogrammed pen. Hal rolls his eyes. “It’s not clothes.”
“I know. Anyway, I thought about what happened with the mall thing two days ago and I went looking through the SOPs and realized that the definition of ‘offline’ wasn’t clearly defined.” Continue reading