Rain had started her bath water and lit a few scented candles.  The water was nice and hot, the candles had generated a sweet jasmine aroma.  She was about to take off her robe and get in the bathtub when the phone rang.

Damn, she made her way to the bedside and answered the phone. It was Pearl she was a good friend of Roxie’s when she lived in New York and had become a good friend of hers.  

She asked me if I knew a BobbyLashley from New York.  I told her I didn’t know him personally but had recently had lunch at his hamburger restaurant.  She told me that Booby had just lost his daughter from drugs supplied by Jared Ferrer.  She told me that Jared Ferrer was just a low-life piece of shit, that since I was in the business of helping people in crisis like this, maybe I could use my resources to help him out.   The only problem was that she didn’t want to reveal her sources to Bobby as to how she found out.   She felt so bad about Bobby’s lost and knowing who was behind it she wanted to do anything possible to help him out. 

I told her I would get in touch with him and not let him know she is the one who told me about it.

By the time Pearl and I finished talking and I went back into the bathroom my bath water was cold.  I pulled the stopper to let the water run out and made my way back to the phone. 

I dialed Tiger in New York and told him I wanted to have a message delivered to BobbyLashley at Bob’s Burger Restaurant.   The message read.

Dear BobbyLashley,

I am very sorry about the lost of your daughter.  My heart grieves for you. I know the circumstances surrounding her death.  It doesn’t matter how I know.  Bad news travels fast and  Jared Ferrer  is bad news. I have a lot of resources dealing with the underground, these types of situations and might be of assistance to you.  If you already have the man power to handle the situation I wish you the best of luck.  If not and my assistance might be beneficial to your organization please do not hesitate to contact me.

This is my number 455-399-2000.  If you cannot reach me at the number please contact Pearl at the  Columbia Heights Hotel in Brooklyn.  She will always know where to contact me.

Sincerely,

Rain

 

P.S. You have the best hamburger I have ever tasted.

 Rain went back to the bathtub and started the water hot water again.  The candle were still burning and the aroma was even stronger.  She waited until it was full again and slid in the hot water.  She laid back and relaxed.  She hope Bobby wouldn't be skeptical and call her. 

BobbyLashley could see a young man with brown hair entering his Burger Shop. He approached him and gave BobbyLashley a messaged from Rain. Bobby listened intently but wasn't sure whether to dial the number or not, he then thought to himself what has he got to lose by phoning this number maybe it could help him Track down the dirty drug dealer Ferrer.

Bobby dialed the number but it just kept going to answer phone, he decided he would travel back to New York and visit Pearl at the Hotel, he couldn't wait to actually speak to Rain because he really needed as much help as possible.

Once he arrived at Columbia Heights Hotel he could see a young lady it must of been Pearl. He waited for the customer in front to collect there towels.

"Hey there I was left a message by Rain to get in contact on this number but I didn't manage to through it went straight to voicemail"

Pearl looked at the number just to make sure it just wasn't any random person trying to get hold of Rain.

"Ahh you must be Bobby, Rain said you might come here. Let me phone her on her private line."

Bobby waited patiently for Pearl to phone Rain.

"Yes she will be with you shortly, take a seat."

Rain was in a meeting when she was informed that Pearl was calling on her private line.  She excused herself for a minute to take the call.   Pearl told her that BobbyLashley was there wishing to talk with her, that he was unsuccessful on the number he was given.  I told her I would talk with him to hand him the phone.

Hello Bobby this is Rain.

Yeah I am sorry about that but glad you contacted Pearl at the hotel.

That’s wonderful I am glad that you feel we can work together.  I've done a little research on this guy Jared Ferrer.  He’s no joke.   I found out his protection are 14 and 15 years old kids, packing guns and thinking they are bad-ass. Some  of them as young as 12 push drugs for him in the schools.

You are right we have to proceed with great caution.  We don’t need to be taking any kids out.

OK, let’s put our resources on this and see if you can find out his habits.  Where he goes, where his  primary residence might be, his hangouts, family members and so on.   Make sure your people are careful we don’t want to spook him.

Give me two days and we can meet at the hotel and compare notes, figure out how we will proceed from there.

Does that work for you?

Good, what’s a good number to reach you?

Rain grabs a piece of paper and writes the number down.

Got it.  I will call you and set up a good time to meet on Saturday.

You are so welcome and I look forward to working with you.

Rain finally got the meeting all set up.  She introduced BobbyLashley to Stefano_Lucchese  for they had not personally met before.  Rain sat down with them to share the information she had received on Jared Ferrer.

She had obtained information about his family, relatives, places of residency and all his affiliations.  He wasn’t liked in the community. His use of young men and women to expand his drug business didn’t go over well and had pissed off a lot of people.

She explained to Bobby and Stefano that this was going to be a major problem.

It seems his bodyguard protection consisted of a local street gang.   The leader was Orlando Kelly.  Orlando was a relative of legendary mob Paul Kelly, who united the remaining members of the Dead Rabbits.  His only ambition was to become like him but didn’t have the brains or resources.

He started off engaging in acts of defensive localism but became much more dangerous as codes of honor and masculinity were often at stake in increasingly violent clashes over  proctecting the drug territories of Jared Ferrer.  

Jared Ferrer took several young men and women of the gang as his personal bodyguards.   Orlando felt he was finally big time and takes the job very seriously.  They also have kids a young as 12 years old slinging drugs for him.  The local police are afraid of them.  They bust and arrest these young kids with drugs and 1 or 2 months later they are back on the streets.

Jared Ferrer main drug operations are in the area of Crown Heights in Brooklyn and lower Manhattan. He has no set routine. I have had men follow him around and there’s no telling his whereabouts at a given time. 

This is what we are up against.  Rain looked at Bobby and Stefano for their suggestions as to how they would proceed.

Rain thought for a second.  She could feel the hurt and hatred for Jared Ferrer in BobbyLashley voice. 

I am thinking since  Stefano_Lucchese is familiar with the gangs maybe there might be a way he could infiltrate the gang and become a member.  Gain their trust and set up a drug deal.  That way we could gain access to Jared and get him to a place where we can take him out.  I know it might be quite dangerous, but if we play our cards right it might work. 

What do you think Stefano?

Stefano just looked at Rain it was clear to him that his life was expendable.  He owed her for many reasons now she was cashing in her marker.  He knew that death was flirting with him either way.  He pulled out a cigarette and looked at her then at Bobby as he lit it and took a deep puff.  He paused then exhaled very slowly.  He leaned back in his chair and looked at a small spot on Rains wall it had a odd pattern compared to the rest of the wall.  A hole had been patched up and painted over.  He nodded not answering her question but in the realization that she was asking him to place his head in the loins mouth.  He spoke softly as if he was left with a hundred words before his death so each one had to account for something meaningful.  

Yeah, sure Rain.

Contacts she thinks I have contacts with a gang that was my rival.  If she would have f'n talked with me instead of working me to death she would know why this is dangerous for me.  Clam down Stefano think man think.  What can I do to get this done without getting killed in the process.  How do you play this.  What was it Torrio told you.  Yeah that's it.  WE get more with honey then with vinegar.   Money is the key and not my name.  Now people in New York know me so I can't use a fake name but I can call a few guys that do business there and set up a meet to make a deal.  Rain won't like that plan.  But if I do it like I'm going to buy major quantities but first I have to see there operation and see their safety protocols to ensure my investment is going to be long term then maybe I can pull this off.  

Rain I will go and meet with them and get the information you need.  I will need cash on hand say $500,000 to start as the initial investment for a long term investment.  I can set up the meet but Rob and Ray will be there to watch my back.  Oh and after this.  We are square.   

Rain was a little taken back at Stefano_Lucchese comment  of “Oh and after this.  We are square.”  She had to laugh to herself for they would never to square. She  grew to know him well and  there is nothing like the thrill of walking through the jungle looking for a tiger and knowing they could be watching you already for him. She knew he was encouraged to take risks, to boldly go. He was  taught that the greatest danger in life is not taking the adventure. He definitely wasn't fooling here. 

The money is no problem.  Just don’t let it get to far out of your hands.  We don’t want to have to pay 500 grand to get this son of a bitch. You just be careful and watch your back.  Keep me posted on what’s going on.   Just make the drug deal so lucrative Jared won’t be able to pass it up.  We know he’s not the brightness light bulb on the lamp posts and hungry for money. If you feel it’s not working just get the hell out of there and we will figure something else out. 

Like I said just keep me posted and as always you will be nicely compensated for your work. 

Stefano nodded when Rain told him to watch his back but he knew she was being kind at that was her job as a leader.  If he was coming back he had to be as wise as a fox and if need be as strong as a lion.  He first task was to call Dion O'Bannon and see if he was willing to help for a few dollars then Legs Diamond to erase his debt to Stefano.  He would have to call Charlie and let him in on the drugs to get some backing if it got to thick.  He wanted to hold that for last.  Rain she was a woman with reach but would she use that for a guy that worked watching her holdings.  He wasn't a Frank-Cali he was her soldato.  

He looked into her eyes and wondered if she would even notice if he went missing or would she just hire another to replace him.  A small smile came over his face then he nodded to Bobby and Rain once more and went on his way to face the challenge set before him.  He went to his apartment and made the calls.  He reached Legs and Legs agreed due to the fact he was low on money and Stefano agreed to purchase the rest of his merchandise and forgive the balance of his debt.  Rob and Ray were packing what they knew they would need and Stefano was planning what he was going to say when he got there.  He needed Dion badly it would be him that could keep the Irish at bay.  Dion had the respect of the Irish and that was the key to Stefano's success.

Rutte raided in to tell about drugs.

"Stay put from it, it jst destroy your brain man and never heals again, try to find other addiction that bot damage so much will you"

Stefano made it to New York at 2 am he Rob and Ray disembarked from the train and walked to the stairway of central park.  heading up the steps they were met by Legs Diamond.  Legs wasn't truly happy to see Stefano but again he was in need of cash.  Stefano didn't trust Legs completely so the chatter between them was light.  Then Legs brought up Dutch and then Stefano knew that was the score.  If he wanted Legs full commitment he would have to side with Leg over Dutch.  Stefano like Arther Flegenheimer even less but Arthur knew how to make money better than Legs.  So he gave Legs want he wanted to hear.  After this job is done Stefano would buy and continue to buy Legs booze and help remove Dutch Schultz.  

They went to a decent boarding house and checked in it was a few blocks from the objective and easy to see anything coming towards them as this place sat  a bit tucked back in a corner overlooking the two cross streets.  It sat in a large level grassy field all alone which also made them easy to pin point.  Legs inform them that he would have a few guys swing over if he needed extra muscle.  Stefano only gave Legs a small piece of the picture.  Legs was to make the introduction and ensure that they got the deal made.  If the deal goes through Legs would get five percent of the take each month.  Like Torrio said appeal to a mans greed and he just may sale you his sister and mother in the process.  

They entered the house Ray and Rob carried all the bags to the three rooms with Stefano room in the middle.  This was a six bed room boarding house and they rented all six rooms.  The owner wasn't to happy to be waken at 2:30 am but he wanted the money and Stefano was paying for all six rooms in cash.  The owner asked about the other guest and Stefano informed him they would arrive later.  The owner told him breakfast is at 7 am sharp or it will be cold by the time you get there and you get there late you get what's left his wife would not be cooking or reheating after that.  Lunch was at 12 noon and dinner at 7pm.  Stefano smiled an looked at Legs as this old man still had his balls to dictate with authority.  Both Stefano and Legs had respect for this old timer.  If he was younger he would have made a great button man.  

Stefano thanked Legs and gave him half the money he was to get for the first shipment and the other half after the deal is struct. Stefano wanted a bit of rest 2:45 am was not the time to try and call O'Bannon he would be drunk or just getting to bed.  He needed this Irishmen to be sober and wide awake.  It was him that would ensure the former Mulberry Boys lay down when given the orders.  Stefano fell onto the bed still wearing his shoulder holster with his pistol still in it.  Rob and Ray were also sleeping in their rooms. 

Rain was getting a little concern.  It’s been a couple of days and she hadn’t heard from Stefano_Lucchese.  This was not like him.  Maybe she was wrong about him infiltrating the gang, maybe it was too dangerous.  She just hoped he was alright.  She would wait a couple of more hours and if she didn’t hear from him she would put the men out to try and find him.  If we can't set Jared Ferrer up with a drug deal we would have to figure out another route to him. 

The front desk phoned Rain to let her know that @Bobby Ashley was there to see her.  She told them to let him know her room number and send him up.

When he arrived she offered him a seat  in the parlor and a drink from the mini-bar.  He requested a whiskey straight and she poured him a drink.   

I think it best we give , Stefano_Lucchese another hour or so.  I know we will hear from him soon.  He must be just handling business.  If something was wrong I know he would have got word to me.  

We can order some food.  I am starving, haven't eaten anything yet today but a cup of coffee. We will just chill and wait to see if we hear anything, 

Stefano had met with Charlie, Frank and Myers to talk about a hit on a Meth dealer that operated in New York.  They didn't say a word nor did they have too.  Myers smiled and Stefano knew that they had some type of deal.  He then told them that a friend of theirs little girl died from the poison and it had to be dealt with and he wanted their blessing.  They looked at him again with out saying a word.  Stefano told them that all the drugs in there warehouse would be given to the commission plus twenty five percent of the cash found of course and then Charlie and Frank smiled and their was the deal.  Stefano now had the blessing of the Commission to proceed.  

He then called O'Bannon and made a deal and it was set Stefano wasn't worried about anything other then his met.  Then he called Rain and informed her that tomorrow he will met with both men and set up a final meet where they would met at Bobby's joint.  He told her that the Commission has given their blessing for all the drugs in the warehouse in New York and Twenty five percent of any cash found.  

The next morning Stefano had an extra surprise Vito and Albert was there to help ensure nothing goes wrong with the commission agreement.  Stefano didn't care as also as they kept quite and just watched his back like Rob and Ray.  Then Legs arrived and Stefano had to cool the tension between Legs and the commission watch dogs.  Legs wasn't playing well with others and he was on their last chance list.  Stefano knew that what he had planned for Legs would go well with the commission.   They went to see the drug manufactures and to Stefano's surprise not only did Legs introduce him Vito told them that Charlie and Myers vouch for him and that this deal could make them all wealthier.  The wo smiled and Stefano knew that once again greed won the day.  No cash exchanged just Stefano seeing the entire operation with Vito and Albert and Rob while Ray stood back with Legs.  They all agreed to meet in two days to finalize the deal.  The two men will meet at Bobby's restaurant and the cash would be given to them.  Two million upfront for the first truck load which was all they had plus a monthly deal for a truck a month.  

Stefano shook their hands and then Vito shook there hands as Albert lead the way out they picked up Legs and Ray.  They got into there cars and followed Legs car to a local dive in Manhattan.  Vito unlike him bought the first round of drinks.  He made only one comment.  He said that was two greedy bastards.  He was correct as Stefano thought that , that was the fasted agreed on deal he ever saw and they only asked two questions when and how much.  Stefano excused himself and went to make a call.  He called Rain but she wasn't there Bentley answered and Stefano was a bit hurt behind it.  He told Bentley to tell her It's a go two days from now 5 pm.  

As Rain and @ Bobby Ashley were enjoying the food she had ordered to be delivered to her room she received a call from Bentley.  She hung up the phone and turned to Bobby.

Stefano_Lucchese is fine and the deal is on.  Orlando and Jared Ferrer will meet us at your restaurant expecting a 2 million dollar drug deal dangling in front of their eyes.  It will take place day after tomorrow at 5 pm.

I need you to have your people ready.