Cesare decided to risk another trip to New York. His last couple trips had involved more bullets than he would have liked, but for an opportunity to make some real connections, he wouldn't shy away from the skyscrapers and dirty streets of the city. He'd had it in his mind to expand business...minding that the business hadn't even been set up yet, but Cesare trusted his man Louis to come through, and so he didn't worry to much about getting ahead of himself.

Louis had spoken about another car enthusiast in New York by the name of James Sullivan who may be open to driving business in the east. It was for this reason that Cesare arrived once again to the New York autoshop he'd visited weeks earlier. Making his way into the front lobby, he politely chimed the bell on the counter as he lit a cigarette. He hoped that James would be in. Sitting all day in the hotel would make for a lousy evening...

After sorting parts in the yard for 20 minutes, I made my way through the front door. I was greeted by a great surprise as I saw Don Torretta sitting in the lobby. Rubbing my hands together back and forth to try and warm them up a bit, I greet one of Chicago's finest.

"Don Torretta!...good to see you back in New York. bitter fucking cold out there isn't it?, don't imagine it being any warmer in the windy city."

I had a feeling the visit was not about repairs, but I had to make sure.

"I did promise you a drink, I do intend on keeping that promise, I know a restaurant a few blocks from here...steak is unreal!. We should talk there, unless you need your car worked on."

I lit a smoke of my own and awaited an answer from the don.  

There was something about men of honest work that Cesare found agreeable, which is why he found himself smiling at James as he entered the lobby. Greeting him in turn, Cesare replied, "Coldest it's felt in a long time around Chicago as well, yes. People are talking like we'll be getting a disastrous amount of snow this year, and I'm not looking forward to it one bit."

He stood and replaced his pea coat on his shoulders in anticipation for the short trip to the restaurant, "I think I'll collect on that drink today, Sullivan, lead on, that place sounds great. Some warm food will make it easier to talk business."

Cesare waited for James to prepare himself for the cold weather before following him out the door to their destination.

I bundled myself as best I could to once again head out into this frigid ass weather. We took don Torretta's car, as I wanted to make him feel comfortable. I guided him a few blocks until we reached our destination. A sign stuck out like a sore thumb as it read "Georgiana's".

We wasted little time getting from the car to the main entrance of the establishment. We both were not enjoying the weather. We skipped the waiting time, as I was a regular and Torretta was recognized almost immediately as his reputation spread much wider then just Chicago. After being seated, we were both handed a menu. I let Mr. Torretta look the menu over as I ordered my usual.

"I'll have the sirloin dinner Jen, medium well and a whisky."

she respectfully looked to Mr. Torretta for his order.

Cesare looked over the menu of the quaint restaurant. He figured he couldn't go wrong with ordering what the place was known for.

"I think I'll have your New York Strip, medium, and I'll take whatever whiskey you pour for him as well, thank you."

The waitress took their menus and moved off towards the kitchen as Cesare adjusted himself in his seat,

"I'm happy to see that your shop isn't in bad condition, I was standing in your lobby the day some lunatic drove by and shot it all to pieces. I was glad to hear that you weren't harmed. My man, Louis DelRossi has told me you are the man in New York to talk to about cars."

He paused for a moment as the waitress returned with their drinks,

"That's high praise from him. I haven't met anyone who loves cars as much as Louis does..."

I sipped my whiskey as Torretta mentioned the shooting.

"Yea the shooting was unfortunate, there was one bystander who got hit. One of the associates from the Capazzo family shot up my place. Wasn't authorized though!. Capazzo is working with me to resolve the issue. I really respect him for being a standup guy about the whole thing."

I take another sip of my whiskey before continuing.

"I tried to find you afterwards but I would imagine you got the hell out of there as fast as possible, can't blame you for that. anyway Louis...yes a very talented man indeed. Already got me some real gems to work on at the shop. As you know repairs is only a fraction of my business at the shop." I chuckle a bit, then ask Torretta a serious question.

"So don Torretta...Mr. torretta, which ever you prefer, I assume since we are here, repairs is not why you came to talk. I know a man of your position has no time to waste. That being said, tell me what brings you to the big apple?, and more importantly to speak with me directly?. If Louis spoke to you about me, I have a good idea on what this is all about...but I could be wrong."

I sipped my whiskey once again, deciding against lighting a smoke. I didn't think it would mix well with the steak. I awaited a response from the don.  

Cesare paused for a moment and breathed in before he began, "Through a set of arrangements I've made with Louis DelRossi, I've come to establish a large network of production for narcotics." he said, before taking a sip of his own drink, "Louis has simultaneously been chopping various cars in Chicago. I've found it very convenient to transport my products inside his chopped cars all over the midwest."

He'd already gone this far in his story, he figured he might as well lay everything out for James all at once,

"What I need is another contact on the east coast that doesn't have a problem chopping some cars and transporting my product. Cars from Chicago filled with product would show up at your yard, then you use your connections on this side of the country to move that product from New York south along the coast. Of course you'd get a sizeable portion of our profits on this side of the country as well..."

He trailed off, having said everything that was essential. He paused and waited for James' reaction

The food had arrived before I could respond. Once the server walked away, I looked around to make sure no one was eavesdropping.

"You know when I opened the auto shop, I had plans on selling firearm's. Don't have to be a genius with numbers to know that there is a lot of money to be made with the drug trade."

I take a bite of the steak.

"Sounds like it can be profitable. I'm in Don Torretta. Has to be done very carefully of course, don't want any cops snooping around. Once the...goods are removed from the car, I will move it to the basement. There is a hatch that stays locked, only way down there so it will be safe."

I raise my glass to don Torretta, awaiting his approval on the location of the goods. 

Cesare grinned at James' eagerness to get to work, he matched his toasting gesture and met his glass midair with a satisfying clink, "Sounds like a good plan, James. I'll be in contact with Louis, who's managing the movement in Chicago and make sure you get connected to each other in a business capacity."

With business being seemingly settled, Cesare set into his steak with his fork and knife, "Here's a question, James, what made you choose this life?"

I paused briefly after torretta asked me that question. After a sip of whiskey, I answered him.

"When I was 13 my father left!, not so much as a trace. He had a heavy drinking problem, found him most nights passed out in front of a bar. anyway after he left my mother relied on me to keep us afloat. I worked hard labor for years. Then...things changed!...my mother became bitter, vicious. when I turned 18 I left and went to the war. Met my good friend John_Shoaltz there. After returning home I fell in with these two Irish brothers. Did things I couldn't have done before I had served. Money was great...I quickly realized that money was easier to come by being on the opposite side of the law."

I paused and took a deep breath.

"This life!...I didn't choose it...it chose me!. And prison just made my decision easier." I lit a smoke and inhaled slowly, looking at don Torretta and asking him, "Know what I mean Mr. torretta?."  

"Yes, I suppose I do..." Cesare responded thoughtfully, he was very glad to have had met with James and finally felt traction in this new business.

For a few minutes they continued their meal. James was right to recommend the place because the steak was amazing. The waitress checked back in and filled their drinks.

"Also, James, I've been hunting a Deusy. Think you can get your hands on one of those for me?"

I sat for a moment and thought about the locations I could search. A location struck me like a bolt of lightning, as I chuckled while looking at Don torretta.

"I think I just might be able to help you with that!."

Not even 2 seconds past after those words left my mouth. a server walked over with a note. "A John_Shoaltz asked me to give this to you sir."

I opened it to find that my boss Earl had been hit, gunned down for an unknown reason. I loosened my tie and put out my smoke, shocked by what I just read. Torretta, sensing something was wrong asked me what was going on.

"Earl!...he was gunned down 20 minutes ago in New York!"

I slammed the table with a open hand as a few customers stared at me. I leaned back and tried to relax as it seemed Torretta was shocked by the news as well.