CHAPTER 176

TOMMY, ON THE OTHER HAND, spent the rest of the afternoon immersed in boredom. The recovery from his injury prevented him from making much effort and the White House was not a place for an ordinary citizen to be wandering around and snooping around. He had already received the information. The plane would leave at dawn for the conference that would take place very early the next morning in Paris. He would be part of the President's escort, due to the resistance he had shown to the sonic attacks, an immeasurable difference compared to the other agents.

He remembered Katherine, asking himself why he had made so many bad decisions.

Why was she with him, even though she knew everything?

I couldn't disappoint her anymore, the time for immaturity was over.

Why doesn't she call back?

Before he could think to call her, his phone rang. It was Carl Benedetti.

— Are you okay, old man? — Tommy asked when he answered.

— I'm old. Does that answer you? — Benedetti replied jokingly.

— I don't know to what extent your sense of humor would be an answer...

— You don't usually call me. What happened?

— Let's just say talking to you is a little less boring than watching all that shit on TV...

With laughter the old man replied:

— Don't be so despicable! You adore me! All you need to do is call me dad! Is Katherine okay?

— I think so. I left it at home.

— Aren't you with her? These days are a bit strange to leave her alone.

— I'm in Washington DC — said the young man with some boredom.

Benedetti was stunned by the news:

— DC? What were you doing there, kid?

— Ah... It's a long story... — he replied with a sigh. — Greg will explain it to you better later.

—Always that damn Evans Midnight, huh? Did they call you for a job by any chance? — he tried to joke.

— I'm at the White House.

Tommy could hear the old man's groan of agony and surprise over the phone.

— What the hell are you doing there?

— It was all in the turmoil on Fifth Avenue. I ran into the President and ended up helping him escape from there. Now I'm here, and that's it...

Benedetti looked at Martin on the bed, and Clooney, who was beside him. Strange coincidence that his young apprentice was so close to the one they were now investigating.

"How are you?" Tommy asked in a taciturn voice.

— I've had some bad times around here too, but nothing compared to meeting a President out there. — replied the old man, confused.

— I mean, about Tony...

Benedetti, with a slap on the forehead, realized that Tommy didn't know about the mobster. Tommy continued:

— Was there a burial?

— No, no! — Benedetti replied, trying not to make things too clear for Clooney to hear. — He's not dead. I left him in a hospital under the care of another of our people.

Tommy was surprised by the news. However, he didn't know what would happen to him when he returned, since the boss would be alive. He became very worried.

— So... he's okay, right?

— Yes, he is. He really should have died, that scoundrel... — Carl Benedetti snorted in spite. Tommy was surprised by his mentor's response.

— Why are you saying that?

The old man took a few moments to respond, he was unusually thoughtful.

— Things that happen... things that change...

At that moment, Benedetti and Clooney could hear some moans.

It was Martin! He was waking up!

— Son — Benedetti said, a little nervously — good to know you're okay! Unfortunately, I have to take care of something here rather urgently. We'll talk again! Okay?

— Yes, yes... — replied the young man, surprised by the change in the conversation.

— We will certainly talk!

And he hung up.