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He had struck the secret deal years ago when he first hatched his plan to kill his brother and nephews. He’d done it in the hope that if it came down to war with his own family, Fausto could convince the Agrellas to take his side.
“What happens if your nephews discover your deal with the Agrellas?” I asked.
“They’ll kill me.”
“I guess we better make sure they don’t find out, then.”
Fausto explained that there were nearly two dozenCosa Nostrafamilies in Italy. The five most powerful were the ones who ruled Rome, Milan, Venice, Sicily, and Naples.
“I thought Naples was controlled by theCamorra,”I said, naming another organized crime group.
“They’ve been in a shadow war with a family called the Amatos for over a decade now,” he said, then smiled. “I have contacts in theCamorra,as well.”
Fausto had contactseverywhere.Not only the family’s roster of corrupt cops in Florence, but moles in the police departments of the cities controlled by the Five Families.
Fausto paid them through the Agrellas so his own nephews wouldn’t find out how far his influence extended.
A lot of pieces on the chessboard…
Pieces I could potentially leverage.
“Anyone else I should know about?” I asked.
“Well… I’ve been talking to two potential business partners. One is from Turkey. He’s in talks with the Agrellas to supply them with drugs and women.”
“Women for what?”
“Prostitution.”
I must have made a face because Fausto paused.
“Does that bother you?” he asked coolly.
It did… but I wasn’t about to admit it.
“I’m being paid 10 million euros. I have no opinion on the matter.”
He smiled. “Good answer. The Turk has to move his wares through my territory in Tuscany, which means I’m entitled to a cut. The Agrellas have been urging me to meet with him so they can start up the pipeline. However…”
“What?”
Fausto grimaced. “My nephews control not only Florence but all the land immediately surrounding it. Which means that the Turk will have to cut a deal with them, too.”
“That could be useful. Anyone else?”
“Yes. My grandfather came from a little town in Sicily named Rosolini – it’s where we got our last name. There’s a man who runs that region and knew my grandfather. His name’s Mezzasalma – ”
“‘Half corpse’?” I asked. That was the literal meaning of ‘Mezzasalma.’ “Is that a mafia nickname?”
“It’s also an old Sicilian word for a small parcel of land,” Fausto replied. “Although the other meaningisuseful in our line of work.
“Mezzasalma got the blessing of his boss, Don Vicari – the mafia don who runs all of Sicily – to expand to the mainland. Mezzasalma contacted me recently, seeing as I’m the newest don in Italy, and asked if I was interested in a partnership.”
“This Mezzasalma… he’s Sicilian?”
“Obviously. So am I, by the way,” Fausto said with a hint of pride. “Although I grew up in Tuscany, both of my parents were from Sicily.”
“What’s Mezzasalma like?”