To The End

Thursday evening in the Bistro was quiet.
Only three tables were occupied and the maître de could give his customers the full benefits of a classical French training and years of knowledge built up before he started his own business. He charged highly but the chef was one of the best and he had earned his four star reputation. His clientele respected that and business was very good.
“Can I get you gentlemen the wine list this evening ?”
“Three beers is fine for now, thank you.”
The maître de nodded to Mr Iero, he was a regular with business colleagues and it paid to give the gentleman just what he wanted. The man recognised his tall blond associate and flashed him a smile before pausing to peruse the third guest. Marcel liked to check out the beautiful men that entered his establishment and this one was extremely handsome if a little thin. Razor sharp cheekbones and sensual lips attracted him but something in the cold eyes made him scurry away to get the beer and leave the men to their discussions.
Frank waited until the man was out of earshot, the corner table was well away from the windows and afforded privacy while still being a public place to meet. He had often used it to have face to face discussions with business associates he didn’t trust and certainly the man in front of him fitted into that category.
“You showed up so I take it you’re interested in what Johnny had to say.”
Synyster Gates nodded slowly; he had not one iota of trust for either of the men in front of him and had only rung Johnny to see if he was still alive after he found his way out of Russia. Angel would never tell him exactly what had happened in the final shoot out and he now realised that she rarely told the whole truth about anything. That would change once he got his hands on her again.
“I’m interested. So lay it out for me properly.”
They all paused as the waiter came over with three tall glasses of cold beer and some light entrees. Gates always found it strange to be discussing murder over a fine dinner but living off mouldy bread and water for several months had given him an added appreciation for food and his life in general. Frank smiled, he liked a man that went straight to the point.
“Five million now. Five million when you find Gerard and deliver him to us. Alive. I don’t care what you do to the bitch as long as she dies. You get to pay off the Russians and we get to settle things within our family.”
“I thought you would have wanted the pleasure of killing Angel for yourselves.”
Frank shrugged, a wolf’s smile showing on Mikey’s face. Neither man could lie and say they wouldn’t enjoy it but it was more important to get Gerard home. They had come to an agreement, Gerard had been under the influence of the bullet, they would get that removed and find a doctor to help him become the man he had once been. Stable, controlled and lethal.
“Can’t say that I don’t look forward to it but you deserve that. How did that thing in Russia go down exactly ?”
Gates returned the smile, he too could respect that Frank made no effort to hide what he was and seemed to bear no grudge for their earlier encounter. The plan to kill him had been Angel’s, his part had been well paid and strictly business although he took a professional pride in wiping out a President and getting away with it. As far as the general public was still concerned it had been a sudden illness, not even a suicide.
“Angel got us into a small time gambling racket that turned into an investment in an oil company. Turned out the state really frowns on that sort of thing and she had managed to tie me to it while negotiating a free pass for herself. I’ll admit I was lulled into going along with it, pretty much the same as Gerard has been. I saw the news report.”
Mikey’s smile disappeared, he knew that Gerard was walking a fine line towards becoming a wanted man and that would make getting him back home and into the family all the more difficult. Frank sipped the beer, his face more serious.
“It points us towards where they are, more so if he does go in for questioning. I very much doubt he pulled the trigger and again she stays out of the spotlight.”
“She will sell him out and run.”
Mikey chuckled, he liked how Gates could give a sardonic smile to that comment and not sound angry about it. He had done his research on the man and his record was impressive, the money they offered now would interest him only because he had been out of action and still owed the mob money. Mikey suspected that Angel had cleared his bank account out before she had fled too but wasn’t going to push on that point. He spoke for the first time, he wanted assurances on one particular point.
“Precisely why I want her to die very painfully. Angel needs to suffer.”
“Ten million now and ten after. I will give you Gerard and we can all enjoy making Angel pay in whatever imaginative way you want. After that we go our separate ways.”
Frank looked at Mikey and grinned. It was tempting for sure and if it guaranteed that they could all be sure of the outcome then it would be worth the money. Frank had invested in all the right places and business was good, although outrageous to some he would hardly notice the money even missing.
Gates looked at the menu as the two men considered his offer. He would have been content to settle for their original offer but it was clear that they were prepared to do a deal to get what they wanted and he was confident of being able to deliver despite falling for the bitch’s trick the last time. Whether he would be able to deliver the man alive was of secondary importance to him but the fact that his location had been given away told Gates where the brains of the operation were currently lying.
Mikey and Frank briefly conferred as they waited for the food to arrive. It wouldn’t do to fold without a little haggling so an eventual figure of fifteen million in total over two payments was eventually agreed. Frank wanted reassurance that he wouldn’t find Russian mobsters on his doorsteps and Syn required confirmation that they were good for the money. Mikey took less than ten minutes to arrange the transfer of funds and the three men shook hands to seal the deal before enjoying the steaks.
“Do you have a plan for finding her ?”
The assassin nodded his head and smiled.
“Very quietly. If she even realises I am not still in Europe she could bolt. Given that he betrayed you I am more interested in why you want Gerard back alive. Oh, and why the short shit is still breathing.”
“He’s a good fuck and the kid can suck dick for hours.”
Both Syn and Frank choked at the deadpan response from Mikey before Frank explained a little of Gerard’s history. He wanted it clear that a massacre would not be tolerated, this was no hatchet job and he needed Gates to understand that it would not be as easy as getting the drop on them. Gerard had proved more than once that he had an extreme capacity for violence when cornered.
“You may be best off separating them. Point Gee back in our direction and we can arrange to pick him up while you go after Angel.”
“Leave the specifics to me, I’ll adapt them depending on how the cards fall. Just be ready because we all know it’s going to be a one shot deal.”
Frank nodded, his mind going over the possible scenarios that could potentially lead to the outcome he wanted. He had never liked trusting outsiders, he found the lack of control bothered him but sometimes it was necessary. Both he and Mikey were needed to run things at home although Claire handled a good percentage of the admin. Frank wasn’t about to admit that he wanted to keep an eye on her too, Claire still bore a huge grudge toward Angel and was liable to take matters into her own hands. He knew Mikey would go ballistic at any hint of that happening and that was the last kind of trouble he needed.
“Fine. You have the contact numbers and we can make any other arrangements that you think you need.”
Syn smiled, both men appreciating how pretty that was.
“Access to some of your weapons would be useful. Something else the bitch managed to steal from under my nose.”
Frank waved the waiter over, he found that the vintage wines now looked somewhat appealing. This would indeed be a very interesting partnership.
“Help yourself. I want this done and over with. You can pick the perfect calling card.”

Notes