Page 11 of Equalizer
“He’s worried about the magic.”
They turned to see an old woman in a black dress framed in the doorway. Dark hair piled atop her head framed a thin face with high cheekbones and alert brown eyes. Owen nudged his leg under the table, and Calvin guessed his thoughts.
Strega. Witch.“Mrs. Bianchi,” Conti acknowledged the newcomer for their sake.
“Yes, ma’am,” Calvin replied as Owen nodded. “We just can’t figure out why someone with magic wants the bodies—and that’s a worry.”
“Fi.” She pretended to spit to one side. Calvin had to listen closely to catch her words in her thick accent. “Nothing good. I lay spells to protect the dead in our neighborhood for that reason. Someone is doing death magic—very dark but powerful. It is an abomination.”
“Have you heard anything? Rumors spread fast,” Calvin asked. If the Conti-Bianchi mafia family could be an asset, Calvin had struck worse deals.
One of the bodyguards leaned down to whisper something to Conti, who nodded.
“Apparently, there has been talk, but since it didn’t affect our territory or our people, I hadn’t heard it. I will ask my people to keep their ears open after this,” Conti said with a note of reproof that clearly landed on his subordinates.
“I know the covens,” Mrs. Bianchi said. “The Family witches and the ones who are not part of our business. This does not sound like their doing, but I will inquire.” She gave Calvin a pointed look.
“If someone is taking corpses to use them and not just sell them like the body snatchers did, then this is something we should watch closely.” She directed her comments to Conti, and it had the feel of an order. Conti didn’t flinch, but his acceptance was clear.
Interesting. Conti is clearly top dog with his Mob family, but he listens to thestrega.
“It appears we have a common interest,” Conti said. “We will keep the people under our protection safe, and I will make sure I’m kept aware.”
“If your research turns up anything that might help our investigation, we would appreciate an update,” Calvin said.
Conti seemed to find that amusing. “Of course. And I trust you gentlemen will do the same.”
Calvin took it as the polite throwdown that it was.
“Of course.” His tone and frozen smile matched Conti’s.
Conti leaned forward. “I am quite serious. If one of myfamilyis involved, it is up to me to mete out a punishment. I don’t recognize the government’s authority in such areas.”
“And see, the government feels the same way about you,” Owen said. “So here we are. Let’s agree that stopping the thefts and whatever scheme is behind them is a common interest and leave the punishing to whoever gets to the criminals first.”
Conti’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “As you wish.”
If the body snatching involved some of Conti’s people working a side angle gone bad, Calvin didn’t doubt that the Mob boss would deal with the perpetrators more harshly than the law allowed. If it was an operation rooted in strife between mafia families, Calvin preferred to stay out of the line of fire so long as the problem was handled.
And if the Mob boss changed his mind about benefiting from the thefts, Calvin and Owen would deal with the situation.
“I’d offer you dinner, but I suspect it would run afoul of your tiresome rules and regulations,” Conti said with a slight smile that made it clear he enjoyed needling them. “If you’re ever looking for a good meal on your own dime, there’s nowhere better than Barone’s.”
“We will keep that in mind,” Owen said.
Knowing how much his partner loved good Italian food, Calvin suspected they would be sampling the fare at some point during their visit to Chicago.
“You’re free to go.” Conti gave a magnanimous sweep of his hand. “I wish you good hunting.”
Calvin and Owen stood, and Calvin paused. “While we always appreciate tips and assistance, the surest way to flood Chicago with feds is to get in our way. Just so we’re clear.”
Conti’s smile flattened. “Crystal.”
Calvin and Owen walked out like they weren’t turning their backs on a half dozen armed mobsters. No one tried to stop them, and Calvin’s stomach growled traitorously as they walked back through the restaurant to the door.
They waited to talk until they were out of sight of Barone’s and nearly to the Pullman. Calvin looked around to ensure that none of Conti’s toughs had followed them, although that didn’t rule out unknown informants. Owen swept the area for ghosts and magic now that they knew a witch was involved.
“Well, that was interesting,” Calvin observed.
