CHAPTER 78

AFTER THE CONVERSATION WITH BENEDETTI, Tommy quickly tried to get ready. Tony was very punctual and hated waiting. Since cooking wasn't his forte, he ate whatever he found in the kitchen and went to get ready.

He was still unsure about which occasions called for fine suits or more ordinary clothes. He needed to get used to the mafia lifestyle. When in doubt, he put on one of the suits he had bought, fixed his tie and put on a new pair of shoes.

As soon as he felt ready, he set off towards his destination.

HE EAGERLY FOLLOWED THE MEETING POINT, left his car in a nearby parking lot and walked to the place. When he arrived, he immediately saw Tony waiting for him, looking at the shiny gold watch that hung on his wrist, while three others kept watch around him. When he saw him arrive, the mafioso began to mock his extremely well-dressed attire, saying:

— What's this? Do we have a fiancé among us? — I thought it was appropriate... — he answered, a little awkwardly.

— We have to be discreet here, boy! Times have changed, we are not in that golden age you see in Puzo's books! Unless we have Bibles in our hands, a group of men dressed like you would stand out in a crowd. Do we want that?

— No, no... — Tom replied embarrassed.

— No, we want to be discreet. Take your Bible, Reverend, and preach the word of God to that damned Russian before I send him to hell!

— I can try...

— Don't try anything! — Tony said, grabbing his tie and giving him a good slap on the forehead with his upturned hand. Then he loosened the tie and began to take it off his collar. — Take it off! That's the least we can do. The time has gone when we could walk around wherever we wanted, now there is no more respect...

After taking off his tie, he gave him another slap on the forehead.

— There you go! Stay close and don't open your mouth! I want to see what that bastard wants with me.

AFTER THE GROUP GOT TOGETHER, they walked to the corner of the library, on Fifth Avenue, where the event would take place.

Traffic to the neighborhood was complicated even for pedestrians, a huge crowd was moving there, no one wanted to miss the President's speech live, even under the terrorist threat that was taking over the country.

Everyone was surprised by the size of the structure that was being set up for the event, right on the avenue, in such a short time. The sound team was testing the equipment and the decoration people were working anxiously to finish it. Many news teams, however, were already following the work and making short recordings for news reports.

Stopping Fifth Avenue was something unusual, but Kenan decided to do it to honor the victims of the first terrorist incident, which happened there, when the van exploded, killing nine people and injuring seventeen others, beginning the period of terror that haunted the country.

Local businesses were already closing because of the event, except for those that could make money from the crowd, such as fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and others. A security team truly worthy of a President surrounded the perimeter. Every corner, alley, corner, or building rooftop housed a federal agent prepared for any situation.

As they walked, Carl Benedetti found them and joined the group. Seeing him arrive, Tony began his planning:

— I don't want any weapons in sight, — he said to the three henchmen and Tom — keep them ready, but no one can see that you're armed. That happening here would be a real problem for us...

Benedetti pulled a pack of cigarettes from his jacket and said, as he lit the lighter:

— You know I don't like small talk, right?

— Okay, Carlos, stay away, but don't get too far, — Tony replied. — I might need you.

— Not too close, not too far... — the old man grumbled. — I can handle myself.

More and more people arrived and crowded into the middle of the avenue, trying to get a place closer to the stage. The space between them became tighter and it was difficult to move, which made things more complicated in case there was a heated argument with the Russian and his men. Everyone looked around every corner, trying to figure out where their opponent would come from, but neither they nor anyone else there could imagine what awaited them in the next few hours.