COOL JOE, Chapter 25

FAMILY SAGA

COOL JOE

Chapter 25

 

Ted

 

LATER THAT NIGHT

 

After Pete and I shake hands, amongst the talking of family, I decide to sit down next to Margaret. I’m very tired, drained and unsure of the immediate future. We sit silently for a few minutes and then I get up to pour two bourbons for us, we both need it. I’m thinking about what Mike said and my mind splits in two, one half says absolutely do it, we’ll figure out the money somehow. The other says what are you crazy, you’ll get yourself killed in the end; somehow the Boss will get word and then it’s all over.

 

“You made a strong drink honey”, says Margaret,

“Thank you dear. What did you think of Mike’s speech tonight”?

“Well, frankly I was a bit surprised at the price and the fact that it’s non-refundable, even if he only gets one of them; but look, as you and especially Pete say, we have to do this for our own conscience. So, I’m for it. Jesus, Lord, let this be a success, or we’ll all be shaking in our boots.”

“You’re right Margaret, my doubtful side is coming around to the definite side, and we just have to do it.”

“Are we going to quiet everybody so we can come to a decision and get a date for next week?”

“Yes dear, I will get them all to shut up and we’ll do just that,”

 

The family members are still chatting away, and have been for a while now, so I think it’s time we make a family decision. I can hear Frankie speaking loudly and I don’t know what that means. Maybe he’s complaining about money as he usually does.

 

“Okay everybody, let’s stop talking now and get down to business. By now you have been able to discuss among yourselves all the details that Mike proposed to us. I’m assuming you are doing your math and know what the number for each family will be. We have 6 families left, which makes it $6,666 or we can round it off to $6,700 a family. Now, when you think of it, it’s really not that much money. Most of us have that stashed under our mattresses.

“Who has the full names and addresses of Alex and Garcia?”, asks Danny.

“I think that between Mark and Lopez, they have a way of getting those details. We should let them do their work and not interfere. What we must decide now is how many of you, knowing the details are on board? Please raise your hands so I can count. Well, it seems like we’re all on board, even Frankie. Thar’s good to see folks; now we have to pick a date for Mark to hand over the money and get a signed receipt.

‘First of all, do we all have the cash on hand?” asks Tommy with an inquisitive look.

“I have”, says Frankie.

“I have it too”, says Maria.

And then the rest chime in with a YES!

“Okay, so the money is no problem. What about the trustworthiness of this guy Lopez?”

“Well, I guess we have to take Mark’s word that Lopez is an experienced contract killer and has qualified sharp shooters on his team. And he presumably knows how to scout them out and knock them off.”

“What about the danger to our families”, asks Frankie, this whole revenge thing that Pete is so determined to do?”

“Wait a minute there Frankie, didn’t we just all decide to knock these two punks off?”

“Yea we did, but you were the one that said you couldn’t live with yourself if we didn’t do it.”

“Look Franke, don’t put the blame on me, that was just my position, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, right?”

“Yea I guess so, it’s just that in my heart, I’m a little scared.”

“Well,”, says Pete, I think we all have some fear in doing this plan, but the good outweighs the bad and I hope we’ll all feel better about it after it’s done.”

“But what if it fails and he can’t get to them at the right moment?” asks Tommy, with a serious look on his face.

“Look, as the contact person, I feel that Mark is an honest guy who’s trying to help us. He’s had his problems, but now he’s a clean guy, hard worker and I don’t think he would offer us scumbags to take care of our issue. So, we must have some faith in his recommendation, and on Lopez’s record”, I reply, with an even tone voice.

“I say the sooner the better, in case anyone changes his mind”, says Tommy.

“Mark, can we move up the date with Lopez?”

“I don’t know, but I can try to reach him now>”

“That would be great.”

 

While Mark telephones Lopez, we keep talking about the pros and cons even though we’ve made our decision. I think it makes our group feel better by chatting and convincing ourselves that this is the right thing to do. Pray to God it works

 

“Well folks”, says Mark, “Lopez says that he can start doing the background stuff in the next couple of days, once he has the money and the signature, if you all can give me the cash tomorrow and sign up then we’re good. I suggest that that Ted and Pete sign off on this, cause he needs two signatures. So, why don’t we meet here at Danny’s place (if you don’t mind Danny) at 5:00PM and do the transaction; I will have Lopez review it before we meet. Then I will bring him the cash and the receipt. You will all get a copy too.”

“So, the receipt will be our assurance that he got the money and all is well, right?” says Maria.

“Yes”, says Mark, you got it.”

“Thank you, Mark, for speeding up the process, no point in waiting if he’s willing and able.”

 

I feel a little sigh of relief from my family, now that they know this is real. We’re all yawning because it’s getting late and time to go home. I grab Margaret’s coat and off we go.

“

 

“What do think Margaret, I mean about the meeting and the comments?”

“I think everybody is tired of this already and eager to get it over with. I don’t even think they care that much about the possible fallout to the family.”

 

NEXT EVENING

Pete, Mark and I meet at Danny’s place as planned. Mark has a paper in hand with all kinds of clauses on it. First Pete looks at it carefully, and gives a nod, then he passes it to me to read.

“What do you think Pete?”

“I think it looks pretty legit. I mean we don’t have a lawyer on this, but I would say it’s okay.”

“Mark? Did you read this too?”

“Yes, I did and it looks fine to me. I’ve seen his agreements before and this is standard.”

“Okay then” says Mark, “I believe it’s time to hand over the money, right?”

“Yes, says Pete, “and I have it in this envelope. I would like to count it if you don’t mind.”

“That’s fine with me.”

 

Pete takes his time counting the money, not once but twice. It almost seems like he’s hesitating to give it up.

“I counted it twice and it’s exactly $40,000 bucks. I just hope he keeps his word.”

“Thanks Pete”, says Mark, I can pretty much vouch for this guy and his team; you won’t be disappointed Pete and Ted.”

“So, what happens now?”, I ask inquisitively. I mean what is the next step?”

Mark answers, “Well, you can see that Lopez has already signed the agreement, so now that we have the money, I will deliver it to him immediately and of course I will let you know when that part is done.”

“What next?” asks Pete as he sips another bourbon and soda.

“After that, Lopez and his hit men get to work, background checks, where to do the job, and more. Don’t forget they have to do everything very secretively.”

“When will we know something?” Asks Pete

“When the job is done”, says Mark.”

“How long will that be?” says I.

“It depends on a lot of things, but I can’t really give you any more information; but to keep you guys calm, I would say about a week.”

 

Pete, and I shake hands with Mark. I must say our hands are pretty sweaty, but hey, this is a big deal, not just the money, but just the mystery of it…and the danger.

We both cross ourselves and have another bourbon. Danny joins us for the toast to a successful job. Amen.

 

Author's Note

This s my first attempt at a novel; I'd love to have more readers!

Reviews

[Lorry]

And now I know why it's called a contract killing. 😊
Nerves a janglin' as crunch time nears and all the possibilities of what will go right, what will go wrong and of course, the not so obvious that the reader never quite sees coming, despite Al their best guesses, based on their back catalogue of gangster flicks... Or hits, depending on who's reading it. 😊
Still fast paced and it all seems to be building speed and zooming past chapter by chapter. Wondering now of how the "hit" will go down, how the bosses will react if they put 2 and 2 together and who will be left standing at the end.
Still expecting the "Tune in next week to find out what happens next week, in another instalment of cool Joe" 😊

[Betty Hermelee]

Lorry, what a great review pal! I really appreciate your reviews, it keeps me kickin! Thank you, thank you!
Best, B.