In the Name of Revenge

Chapter Seventeen

SEVENTEEN

Business as usual began right on time at the Mancini house. When Pavel drove up, he saw the place was still being watched. It was nothing out of the ordinary for the Mancinis. It was something they were used to. So it was harder for the police to see who was actually entering and exiting, Carlo made sure his people drove in and out through the back circular drive, which was where all his staff entered.

Knowing he is never to be late for a meeting, he walked into the den precisely at two minutes before nine. Pavel would describe it more a lair than a den, as Carlo reserved this room as a hideaway for his meetings. It was equipped with soundproofing that even the most technological equipment couldn’t penetrate to listen in on a conversation from the outside. This was just one of the many reasons Pavel worked so hard and for so long to get ‘into’ the family. He was now privy to most of the Mancinis’ goings on; most, but not all.

He walked in the room confident, armed with information Carlo didn’t even know he possessed. However, it was his self-assurance that would be shaken before he left the Mancini home that day.

He greeted Phillip, Carlo, Antonio, André and several other Mancini henchmen he didn’t know by name. He was used to seeing them and they he, but the ones most important to him were those he knew. He made it his business to know who was a threat, how and why. Both Antonio and André have been with the family way before Pavel finally made his way in. They were always armed and even when they seemed not to pay attention, they saw and heard everything. Pavel was always careful around them.

He took a seat on the leather sofa, leaned back and waited for Carlo to begin the meeting. He looked around the room and nothing seemed to be out of place. Of course, there never was.

One wall was lined with bookshelves, containing Carlo’s reading pleasure from Count Lev Nikolayevich Tolstoy’s “War and Peace,” Leonid Andreyev’s “The Seven Who Were Hanged,” a copy of which Pavel himself owned, to “Summa Theologiae” by Thomas Aquinas, the Italian theologian and philosopher. That was one book which didn’t quite fit Carlo’s character.

The entire room was done in a deep, rich mahogany such as one might see in a Victorian home. Carlo believed using these colors would enhance the importance of a room and therefore, him. He used deep, dark forest greens on the furniture and decorated the walls with paintings hung in golden amber frames. The room, in Pavel’s opinion, was as pretentious as his role in the organization. He couldn’t wait for all the deception to end.

Carlo stood next to the fireplace on the adjacent wall quietly speaking to Phillip, while throwing furtive glances Pavel’s way. He was curious. Why would the two of them be speaking and looking at him? His stomach clenched in fear. Something was wrong, really wrong.

He casually stood and walked over to the bar, which was furnished with coffee, tea and Italian pastries. Even though it was out of character for a mob boss, Carlo always demanded that these breakfast necessities be provided at each and every meeting he hosted. Pavel helped himself to a cup of coffee and resumed his seat on the sofa.

Finally, Carlo signaled that the meeting was to begin by taking up his usual stance in front of his desk.

“Gentlemen, we have just a few things to discuss this morning. First, I will be leaving town in two days. I am to have hip surgery. In my absence, Phillip will be here to oversee everything as I have. You will do as he says without question, as you have done for me. I will be back, and anyone who has defied Phillip will be considered to have defied me and you all know the punishment for that.

“As some of you know,” he continued, “Roberto seemed to cause a bit of trouble the other night. I have heard he is out on bail, but I assure you, he will bring no further trouble to the Mancinis.”