The Most Dangerous Dame

“Whaddya want, an apology?” Benny slammed his fist against the crumbled roof of the floater, adding another dent to the collection. “You don’t know nothing about me, Mick. You don’t know about my life. What I have to deal with living up to an uncle like Moe Flacco.”

“Your right, kid. I don’t know.” I took another swig. “What I do know is we either live by our choices or die by our mistakes. Doesn’t matter who you are or what you have, it’s what you choose that decides your fate. You can either cry about it or face up to it. Either way you gotta deal.”

I held the flask out to him. “Right?”

He stared at me before taking it. “Right.” He didn’t cough on the second round. Maybe he wasn’t such a load after all.

I took a look around. “All right, then. We’re soaking wet, but that’s a lot better than being dead. So now we get to put together what we know.”

“What we know?” Benny snorted. “What we know is some goon tried to ice us, that’s what we know. He knows exactly who you are from the sound of it, too.”

“Right. But you’re missing the most important part, Ace.”

He frowned. “More important than attempted murder?”

“That’s right. You’re missing the why, kid.”

“The why?”

“Stop repeating what I say, you’re not a parrot. Look at the situation. Why would someone want to take us out?”

Benny paused in thought. “Because they don’t want you to investigate Sophia’s murder.”

“That’s the obvious answer. But the only people who knew I was put on the case were the six people in that room, right? So unless you think one of your inner circle is a rat… ”

“No.” He shook his head emphatically. “No way there’s a rat that close to home.”

“I believe you.” I exhaled the last of my gasper and flicked the butt into the wet rubble. “But that just brings us back to square one. Air traffic collision is a clumsy way to put a hit on someone, so that tells me it was meant to look like an accident. The airbus’ transponder was obviously hacked and operated by remote. We crash and burn and no one’s the wiser. But why?”

He just stared. “I dunno, Mick. If you say it wasn’t to take you off the case, then the only reason… ” he trailed off as his eyes widened.

I nodded. “Now you’re getting there, kid. This shadowy chump might know a little about me, but he could’ve hit me any time. I don’t think this was for me.” I gestured to the wreckage behind us. “I think it was for you.”

“Me? But… I’m nobody. Why would anyone wanna rub me out?”

“That’s the question of the night, Ace. I’m just taking a stab at this, but the way I figure is we’re dealing with a meticulous killer. Somebody with a nasty, serious beef against your uncle. I think this person has been nursing this grudge for years and doesn’t mind taking their time to pursue their vendetta.”

He took a wary look around. “So, you’re sayin’ this is just beginning?”

“That’s right. This isn’t gonna stop anytime soon. This person is starting at the fringes, working their way from the outside into Flacco’s inner circle. Sophia was first. Looks like you were meant to be next. But then… maybe Scars gets iced next. Maybe No-Nose Nate or Electra. Only a matter of time before the target is placed on Moe’s wife, and then Moe himself.”

Benny scowled so fiercely I almost believed his non-existent reputation for a second. “That’s not gonna happen.”

“You bet your balls it’s not. Because we’re gonna get to the bottom of this. Now, you were at the funeral. Anyone there got something against Flacco?”

He stared as if I’d cursed my mother. “Only about half the mooks in there, Mick. You know the deal. Even if they hate you they still gotta show up for weddings and funerals. It’s a sign of respect. Anyone who skips the party will stand out, and standing out is bad for business.”

I lit another gasper. “Ok. So, did you notice anyone significant who pulled a no-show?”

His eyes narrowed. “I sure did. Oscar Greco. His whole crew skipped the event. And don’t think it wasn’t noticed, either.”

I slapped him on the back. “See? You’re already off to a good start. Remember what I said about kicking ass and taking names tomorrow?”

“Yeah.”

“Nix those plans.” I took a hard look at the wreck we climbed out of. “Someone tried to rub me out tonight. I tend to take that kind of thing personal. We start right now.”

Chapter 7: Taking Names

I tagged Maxine to swing by and pick us up. A few minutes later we cruised to Neo Luxe, a nightclub positioned near the Red Light District. It was the type of joint upscale enough to attract clientele from the Uppers looking for thrills while remaining gritty enough to appeal to the regulars. The interior was dimly lit by white and blue neon lines that ran along the walls in asymmetric patterns, concealing as much as they illuminated. The haze of gasper smoke further shrouded its innards, rendering the occupants to ghostly silhouettes at their tables and booths.