CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

“What we need to know is who on earth is the main target,” said Teddy. Charles and Jenay, along with Mick and Roz and Sal, Monk, and Reno and Tommy were in Mick’s home office, with nearly four hours to go before Jake was to receive that phone call. “Who’s this guy’s main target is what I wanna know?”

“So far the main targets have been all of the women in your father’s life,” Roz said. “Me, Bella, your mother Ursula. Gloria. Jenay.”

“Then who’s next?” asked Sal. “Jackie?”

“Bite your tongue,” said Roz. Jackie was Mick and Roz’s youngest child along with her twin brother. “They can’t get next to her. They won’t get anywhere near my baby.”

“What about Carly and Ashley and Bonita?” asked Monk. “If they’re going after the Sinatra women, which is what I’m hearing you saying, Roz, then what about them?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” said Roz. “Nobody’s safe anymore.”

“Speaking of Sinatra women,” said Charles. “Mick, you remember what Jake said when we cornered him?”

“No. What did he say?”

“He said that Rittenhauser paid him to hold Gloria because she had messed with the wrong client.”

“Yeah I remember that.”

“Only she doesn’t have clients. She has customers. But you know who has clients?”

Mick realized instantly. “Amelia,” he said.

Charles nodded.“Bingo.”

“And if he’s targeting Sinatra women,” said Jenay, “why hasn’t he targeted Amelia? She’s a major Sinatra woman.”

“Maybe he has targeted her,” Mick said. “Maybe all that shit about those corporations being compromised is bullshit and Hammer’s involved only because Millie’s involved.”

Mick looked at Charles. Charles nodded. “It’s possible,” he said. “Maybe that’s why he’s keeping her under his thumb on that mountain of his.”

Charles quickly pulled out his phone and called Amelia. But it went straight to Voice Mail. Then he phoned Hammer.

“Hey Big Daddy.”

“Where’s Millie?”

“What do you mean where is she? She’s with you.”

Everybody looked at Charles. Charles frowned. “With me ? In Philly?”

“In Jericho. You phoned and said the family was meeting in Jericho and you wanted her there.”

“What the fuck?” Charles and Mick looked at each other.

“That wasn’t you?” Hammer asked.

“No it wasn’t me.”

“Shit!” They suddenly heard movement as if Hammer was on the move. “Everybody with you?”

“Yes. At Mick’s compound. On lockdown.”

“Keep it that way.”

“Aristotle kidnapped Glo, Hammer. We just got her back. The guy that was holding her was holding her in Jericho and is supposed to phone in about four hours with a meeting location.”

“Why didn’t you tell me this?” Hammer said.

“Because we knew you’d slow us down with your legalese and bullshit,” said Mick. “But what about Amelia?”

“I’m on it. Just stay put and keep everybody on lockdown. I’ll take care of Amelia.” Then he ended the call.

They were all confused. Charles looked at Mick. Neither one of them had a clue where this was headed.