White Night

Chapter 2

Nikolai's head slammed into the glass of the rear passenger window as the SUV lurched violently. Tires screamed and a set of headlights burst through the dark, barely missing their left side before the driver regained control of the vehicle.

"Idiot. Watch the road!" A sharp crack followed as Grensky's hand connected with the driver's face.

"Sorry," the driver mumbled.

Nikolai rubbed his own aching head and looked down at the blood drying on his shirt.

"You okay, boss?" Grensky asked, staring back at the scarlet patches on Nikolai's chest with concern.

"Yeah, it's not mine. Just get me home. Now."

The SUV surged forward as the driver punched the gas pedal.

He had to make it home before the house phone rang.

The order from Don Romano was clear: "Everyone lay low. No one makes a move on anything this week without checking in first."

The Romanos had a big shipment coming in this week. Enough crank to OD every meth head in the city. Anyone who threatened the safety of the shipment threatened their own life, and now a man was dead and police would soon be swarming the area. It wasn't his fault, but the Romanos wouldn't show him any mercy for that.

They'd hear about the corpse within the hour. With a murder in Nikolai's territory, they would call him, ask him what he knew. They could call his cell but they wouldn't. The Don's brother, Mauro, would call the house phone, literally catching him "out."

Being caught lying to the Romanos meant broken bones, wannabe capos kicking you in the face until finally Mauro lumbered over like a drunken bear and beat you unrecognizable with his metal baseball bat.

He'd seen it firsthand when he became an associate, slamming his own foot into a former capo's face and hearing the crack of a breaking nose, followed by rasping gasps as the mope fought to breathe through the blood flooding his throat. Don Romano knew the best way to keep future recruits in line was to show them the results of crossing it.

The construction site was disappearing behind them. It happened so fast that the body still lay outside the gates. It was messy, sloppy, but the cop would clean it all up.

"Five minutes, boss," Grensky said, his unshaven chin creasing into a reassuring smile. He looked older tonight, his jet black hair infiltrated with grey, the shadows under his eyes darker than they were twenty years ago.

Five minutes from home and his beautiful little girl. His watch showed 9:44 pm. Katya would be sleeping now and it was better that way. She couldn't be allowed see the blood on his shirt, he was still just Daddy to her.

The Romanos would call soon and the girl's mother would answer and tell them he was out. Then Mauro would call his cell and ask him why he was out, who he was with, so many questions. They would send capos to verify it all.

If the answers weren't satisfactory, then the Don's son Celso would smile as he pumped bullets into Nikolai's chest before going into his house for his daughter. His knuckles turned white as he forced the image from his mind.

"We need to move it up," Grensky added, and Nikolai shot him back a glance that silenced him. He would not discuss his plans in front of the driver.

The buildings rushed past as the driver steered the car through the streets of Brooklyn. The neighborhood had been discovered by the middle class and the big franchises were moving in. Joe's Café became Artisan Brew, then Starbucks. The coffee was better but the atmosphere wasn't.

Joe gave you the news of the neighborhood with your morning brew. The ignorant teenage baristas gave you a corporate smile with your latte; he wouldn't miss the change.

The car came to a halt. Katya's bedroom light was out but the nightlight with the bears would be playing soft music for her. He smiled at the thought of her tiny, peaceful breaths.

Nikolai nodded at Grensky to get out of the car with him.

"Watch the driver, stay with him. He's going to want to talk, better to you than someone else."

Grensky nodded and gave his shoulder a heavy slap. The stench of strong tobacco always travelled with Grensky, but Nikolai patted his friend's arm. He would miss him too.

The house phone started to ring and he started running.

He could not miss this call...