The New Kid on the Block~chapter 14
Dec. 20th, 2012 10:34 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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section7mfu______________________________________________________
The Thrush representative overseeing the operation poured himself a brandy as he sat in Joseph Oystracher's office, preparing for this so-called meeting. He wasn't pleased it had been arranged and feared the lust the Ukrainian had for the redhead had made him lose his focus and clouded his senses.
He was uneasy about the situation, worrying that a man like this Johnny Dio hand gotten wind of what was going on with the counterfeiting operation. If he, a low level thug from 'la famigila', was able to discern their goings on, then it would be guaranteed the local mafioso families would eventually discover the plot. No doubt the Feds would not be far behind, that is if anything was left after the local mob was finished. He envisioned a blood bath, and with that, time was working against them. He wondered if Dio knew of the diamond buying and the ultimate goal of their little operation...
Ravel swallowed the rest of his brandy, making a decision to tell this Johnny Dio there was nothing to invest in, and that he was mistaken. Once these families got their fingers in the pot; there would be no dealing with them. They would want more of a say, a higher percentage of return...it was just not worth it. If Dio knew too much, then it would necessitate getting rid of the man.
Perhaps it was time to simply close up shop, and get rid of Oystracher as well. Killing both of them would be simple; just make it look like a hit of some sort. Oystracher being knocked off by Dio, and Johnny Dio being killed off by Oystracher's people.
THRUSH could keep the club going for a few more weeks, and reap all the rewards. End of story. Central would be impressed with this one, as would his sister Gervaise.
He was always standing in his older sister's shadow and now this plan would allow him to step into the limelight for once and show his superiors what he was capable of.
The secret door to the office opened and Oystracher emerged, carrying a large red leather journal with his nose buried in it.
"I have looked over the books quite carefully..." he announced as he entered his office.
"The real books?" Ravel asked point-blank.
"Of course the real ones you foo..." he bit his tongue before finishing that thought. "By my calculations we need two million more to complete the project. If we continue with our current operation with the way it is, it will take several months to reach that goal. Johnny Dio has offered as much as a million and a half. If we let him in on the real operation, I'm sure he won't hesitate coming up with the extra half a mi. We won't need to continue the..."
"We'll see, " Ravel humored him. " Just keep your mouth shut for now and let me do the talking. My research tells me this Dio is the real deal, but I still have my suspicions and I'm wondering where a low life-like him has come up with that much scratch."
Ravel seated himself in a high back chair, located near the bookcase entrance. He had no idea how this meeting would go, and made sure he had a clean escape route if necessary.
The office door opened slowly and in sauntered Johnny Dio with his gorgeous redhead on his arm. He was dressed in a very expensive suit, no tie, but sported a pair of sunglasses.
His companion was dressed very casually in a pair of tight black capri pants with a very clinging grey mohair bow neck sweater, and a red kerchief tied around her throat. Her high spike heels made her legs look even longer, and quite sexy.
"Excuse me but your girlfriend has to leave, you understand." Ravel said.
"Fine. Baby you wait outside for me okay?"He planted a kiss on her cheek.
"Okay Johnny, whatever you say." She batted her lashes, looking very much the part of a hapless damsel.
"Here take these, go amuse yourself in the casino," Oystracher said handing her a handful of chips, one with a peculiar lettering on the edge."
Once the office doors were closed the introductions began."Mr. Dio, this is my associate Mr. Aristide Ravel."
"Shit," Napoleon thought, the brother of Gervaise Ravel. This wasn't good, if Gervaise was in on this his cover would be blown instantly.
Napoleon nodded. "So you're the bigwig backer on this operation."
"Mr. Dio, my apologies, I think you've been misled, there is no so-called 'operation' that you refer to other than my money keeping this small club afloat. That, against the larger casinos has been quite a task, but we're holding our own."
"So you wouldn't want someone to step in with a substantial amount to invest in this here operation, or any other?"
"No, I'm sorry. Another 'partner' is unwarranted and would complicate matters at this time. Thank you for your offer though."
"I haven't even given you my offer, say upwards of two and a half million to start."
"Mr. Dio, I told you we are not interested at this time, perhaps at some later date we might do business...now if you please, we do have a busy schedule."
Joseph Oystrachers face became more pained until he could no longer contain himself. "But Aristide that's a lot of cash, we could use for the other oper..."
"Enough!" He backhanded the man into silence.
"Now good day Mr. Dio. Consider your stay here at Diamond Jim's on the house, but now it is time for you to leave."
April felt a little left out of the action, being banished to the casino but reminded herself that was how these things sometimes happened. She'd done her part getting the information that Napoleon had been unable to uncover, and that made her feel a little pleased with herself.
She tried her hand at the roulette table, winning a fair amount of money and still keeping a watchful eye around the casino.
The croupier took note of the special chip she'd made a bet with, the one Oyastracher had given April. He pressed a button on the side of the table.
"It would be nice to be able keep this and do a little clothes shopping," she sighed over her winnings, knowing that was impossible.
"Excuse me Miss?" A rather muscular casino employee touched her on the arm, "If you could go with me to the office. The management is aware that you have substantial winnings and seeing you are an unaccompanied woman in our casino, they would like to set up and account for you to deposit your money...for your own protection. There's a lot of men who would love to prey upon a lady such as yourself."
"A lady such as myself?" She repeated, wondering why she always came across like someone who couldn't take care of herself. "I'm actually staying here with my boyfriend, Johnny Dio, so I don't think I have to worry about anything."
"It was Mr. Dio himself who suggested to the management that you open an account with your winnings Miss. Now if you would follow me this way." He gestured with his arm.
"All right, if Johnny said so." She replied, but found it just a bit odd. How would Napoleon have known she'd won big...unless Oystracher told him.
As April entered the office at the back of the club, she felt a sharp prick in her neck before she passed out.
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Date: 2012-12-20 04:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-12-20 04:53 pm (UTC)Thanks so much for commenting!
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Date: 2012-12-20 05:18 pm (UTC)Newsletter for Friday, December 21
Date: 2012-12-21 07:48 pm (UTC)