Code 13 by Don Brown Page B

won’t work. Like I said, they’re a different breed.”
    â€œYa got a cigarette, boss?”
    â€œHere.” Phil pulled out a Marlboro and rolled it across the desk.
    â€œGot a light?”
    â€œHere.” He slid the lighter across the desk. “Make sure I get it back.”
    Vinnie struck the lighter, lit the cigarette, squinted his eyes as he took a drag, then formed his lips in an O and released smoke from his mouth and nose. He slid the lighter back across the desk. “Thanks. So how we gonna stay in business if this thing goes through?”
    â€œWell, it’s simple. We gotta make sure this contract never gets off the ground.”
    â€œHow are we gonna do that, boss? Are we gonna go to war against the whole U.S. Navy?”
    Phil crunched the butt of the cigarette into the porcelain plate. “That’s exactly what we’re gonna do. But we’ve got to be careful here. We’ve gotta work smart. We gotta call in every chip that’s owed us. Political and otherwise.”
    Vinnie pulled off his reading glasses and set them down on the desk. The bewildered look on his face reminded Phil that while Vinnie could take orders, he would never be a mastermind in this organization. “What do you have in mind, boss?”
    â€œTwo things. First we call in our political contacts. We made some pretty big contributions to Chuckie Rodino’s U.S. Senate campaign. He owes his seat to us, and I intend to remind him of that.”
    â€œYou gonna call Chuckie Rodino, boss?”
    â€œYou’re dang straight. And I’ll remind him if he wants to get reelected, it’s time to scratch the family’s back. I’ll tell him he needs to oppose this contract on privacy grounds and that the money needs to be spent on welfare for his constituents here in the Bronx who need to stay in their places.”
    â€œYou think he’ll listen?”
    Phil slammed his fist on his desk. “I guarantee he’ll listen. We’ve had Chuckie Rodino on the take since he was an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn. We’ve bought every seat the little weasel has occupied. He’ll listen, or it will get nasty.”
    â€œRemind me never to cross you up, boss.”
    â€œYou already crossed me up. Remember?”
    â€œNever again, boss. I promise. That was years ago. You know you got my loyalty, boss. You know I’ll do anything for you and the family.”
    Phil stared at the weasel for a second. Yes, it was easy to hate him. But at the same time, it was hard to hate him. The weasel was right about one thing. His loyalty to the family had been unwavering since their initial disagreement.
    â€œYeah, I know you’re loyal, Vinnie. I appreciate that about you. Plus, ever since you defiled my daughter, you’ve been good to her.”
    â€œAnd I always will be. But what’s the second thing we’re gonna do about this?”
    Vinnie always changed the subject whenever Phil brought up Maria and the butt-whooping the family had administered to him all those years ago.
    â€œGo back and read the first part of the article again,” Phil said. “The part about the Navy JAG or something like that.”
    Vinnie picked up the Times and took a moment. “Okay. I think I see what you mean. You mean the part that says finalization of the contract is awaiting legal review by the Navy JAG?”
    â€œThat’s it. And that’s where you come in.”
    â€œWhat do you want me to do, boss? I know nothin’ about the Navy JAG.”
    â€œI don’t know nothin’ about the Navy JAG either, Vinnie, other than I’d like to meet up with that hot-looking babe who used to play Major What’s-Her-Name on the TV show.”
    â€œNo kidding, boss.”
    â€œWatch it, Vinnie. You ever mistreat my daughter and I’ll—”
    â€œSorry, boss. Major What’s-Her-Name can’t hold a candle to Maria. And I’ll