I pull up to the diner, climb out of the car, and head inside. I find Andres sitting in a booth at the back. Breakfast is already waiting for me, along with a large cup of coffee with cream.
“Thanks,” I say, starting to tuck into the food straight away. He also begins to eat.
As I eat, I say between bites, “Tell me your plan.”
He pauses and sips his coffee. “There are those in the family that are tired of Jose’s tyrannical rule. He doesn’t care for the family. He only cares about enriching himself. There are those who would help me destabilize the family in Columbia, and he would have to shift his focus from his war here to the war I start there.”
“Why do you need me then? Go start a war. I approve,” I say.
He shakes his head. “It isn’t that easy. Jose has banned my immediate family and me from ever returning to Columbia. We step foot in that country through normal routes, and he will find out and have me killed. I’m hoping to avoid that.”
“I don’t understand how I can help you, Andres. I have no way to get you into Columbia,” I say sadly.
“But your husband does.” He says the word husband as though Frankie and I are close. I almost want to correct him, but there’s a hope shining in his eyes as he continues, “If the Sorvinos are willing to form an alliance with me and get me into Columbia, I can talk to the allies we need and get them to assist in taking Jose down. The family needs a strong leader, and I believe I can be that leader.”
“You want to lead the family,” I say quietly. “So, you want our help.”
“I care about my family deeply, and I want to see them treated better. Jose sometimes shoots family members just for beating him at a card game.” He sighs. “It’s how I lost my Uncle Hector.”
I reach across for his hand. “How can I help?”
“Set up a meeting with Frankie,” he says earnestly, and I falter. Frankie already has issues with the fact that one of my ‘old friends’ is around and speaking to me. I can’t imagine what he’ll say when I tell him the old friend is Jose’s nephew who wants to overthrow him.
Still, it’s a good solution for everyone involved.
“It won’t happen overnight,” he says. “I will have to take my time. Rushing may cost me my life. But I believe that we can take my uncle down within a year and install law and order again. I know the traditions the families have, and I respect them.” He smiles. “And I will call off the manhunt for you and your husband.”
I nod. “I’ll speak to Frankie,” I say, sounding braver than I feel. “I’ll ask him to meet with you.”
Andres smiles, and we finish our meal. He pays while I leave to go to the club. I walk in, despite the fact it’s closed at this time, and a few of the bouncers eye me suspiciously.
I knock on Frankie’s door, and when he calls to come in, I open it and walk in.
“Frankie,” I say, “can we talk?”
He looks up from the papers he’s reading through and sits back. “What about? Is there trouble?”
“There’s a solution,” I say, trying to inject the bravery back into my voice.
Frankie raises an eyebrow. “From who?”
“Andres,” I say. “The friend we argued over last night.”
“You told him why we’re here?” Frankie hissed. “You put our lives in danger again.” He stands up quickly, but I hold up a hand.
“He knew already. He’s here to help us, not to hurt us. I just need you to hear him out.”
“Hear him out? Is he one of Jose’s men? Did you really believe he’s here to help you instead of kill you?”
“I know him, Frankie,” I say.
“You knew Dave, Amelia,” he spits at me.
“Exactly, and Andres isnothinglike his brother,” I almost regret the words as I say them.
“Ah, his brother, so he is affiliated with the family.” Frankie shakes his head. “We’ll have to leave. We’re compromised.”
I slam my hand on the table. “You’re not listening. He hates Jose, and he wants to overthrow him. He has a solution and wants to meet with you to broker an alliance to take down Jose. It’s a golden opportunity to solve our problem.”