“I never did understand why you bothered with the animals.”
“Ah, but have you ever had fresh lamb?” Rastus shakes his head and smiles as he mimes licking dead animal from his fingers. “It’s lovely.”
I feel my stomach turn just picturing this weirdo sitting at a table and feasting.
Peter laughs politely and says, “I should get to business. I don’t want to waste more of your time.”
“It’s not often I get a visit from our American counterparts. Are you sure you can’t stay longer? For dinner, perhaps?” He glances in my direction. “I see you brought your woman.”
“Adrienne is my secretary. You can trust her.”
“Can I?” His expression clouds before he shakes his head. “Very well then. What do you need from me?”
“I’m sure you’re aware that I’m in talks with Le Milieu about a business arrangement between them and Balaska.”
“Oh, yes, it’s all anyone’s talking about. They’re saying Balaska wants to be the next Florakis, but I keep saying it’ll take more than some new drugs to control the crime lords.”
“I don’t think that’s his end goal. My guess is Balaska enjoys all the infighting. It gives him more space to maneuver and creates a lot of fresh opportunities to amass wealth and power.”
“That’s an interesting perspective.”
“Which is why we’re here. As part of the coming deal, we need ship captains, men with big holds and quiet mouths. Men willing to take risks for good pay. Honest, dependable men. Or as close as you can get me.”
I smile to myself and trying to imagine thesehonest, dependable mensmuggling heroin from France into Greece.
“Now I see why you’ve come. You need the services of my family.” Rastus leans back, studying Peter. “You know, I was a loyal member of the association. I accepted Florakis rule because they brought peace and prosperity to everyone. In turn, I was treated well, consulted on important moves, kept involved in the day-to-day if I so desired. I was a peer to the men around me and treated as an equal.”
“Like I said, Balaska doesn’t plan on becoming the new Florakis.”
“No, I suppose he wouldn’t.” Rastus leans forward. “But he didn’t consult me about this new Le Milieu arrangement. He didn’t reach out to discuss how we might work together. No, instead he sends an American lapdog to do his dirty work. We were equals before. We were peers. Now, Balaska acts like he’s the king of Greece.”
I glance at Peter. He shows nothing, but I can guess what he’s thinking. I’m thinking the same thing: this is why Florakis started the association to begin with. Otherwise, all these crime lords with their huge egos and their obsessions with family will do nothing but bicker and fight, even if working together would mean more money and prestige for everyone. They all already know what it’s like to be a part of a big alliance and how much more powerful and rich they can all be, and yet they still devolve into this. It’s a small miracle the Florakis were able to hold it all together for so long and a testament to their skill and power.
“I am not a lapdog,” Peter says softly and swirls his drink, the ice clinking. “And Balaska didn’t send me. I came on my own accord. Whatever you feel is going on between you and Balaska doesn’t involve me, and certainly doesn’t involve Le Milieu. I’m talking about a big move here, Rastus. The kind of move that will change the way the Greek families do their business for a long time. The Russians are out, and we need new, dependable international partners if we’re going to keep on doing good business. If you want to be a part of what’s to come, this is your chance. Otherwise, I can find someone more interested in making money.”
Rastus’s smile doesn’t falter. He stares down Peter like he’s genuinely amused, but the tension in the room is heavy. My hand reaches for the gun, but I stop myself from touching it. Peter made me promise not to fidget and poke at the gun—the less I think about the weapon, the better. I don’t want to give away the fact that I’m armed if I can avoid it. And yet I want to touch its reassuring weight and heft, to know it’s still there, to know I could fight if I had to. Or at least I could point and shoot and pray I hit something.
Rastus clears his throat. “I am telling you now, because I respect you and your family, that I am not interested in working with Balaska on anything.”
Peter lets that sink in. “There has to be something we can do. Percentages, product—”
“No,” Rastus says gesturing so violently with his drink that some whiskey spills on the carpet. He leans forward. “No, there will be no money changing hands. There will be no heroin coming through my docks. I control Crete’s shipping—” He jabs a thumb into his chest. “—and with it, I control all of Greece. Find another way to important your drugs.”
Peter nods slowly and places his drink down on the side table. He stands and clasps his hands in front of him. “Thank you for the hospitality.” He glances over at me and I get to my feet.
Rastus stares up at him. “I’ve been wondering something about you, Peter. Why would the Calimeris family choose sides this way? They were loyal to the Florakis, but we were all loyal to them. Now, with the Florakis gone and the war with the Russians, it makes no sense. For many years, the Calimeris stayed out of Greek politics and conducted their business as neutrally as they could. Why this sudden change in policy?”
“The world changes. My father and uncle—”
“Your father and uncle aren’t here. I think that’s the point. They’re not here, and they don’t know you’re doing this, do they?”
Peter’s nostrils flare. My heart starts racing. It’s clear that Rastus is right—Peter doesn’t do a good job hiding it. The old crime lord leans back in his chair, grinning smugly, and nods to himself as he sips his whiskey.
“No, they don’t know, that’s obvious. You’re running this operation all on your own. Which makes me wonder what you’re getting out of it. Surely the money isn’t enough.”
“I have my reasons.” Peter composes himself. “Thank you for your hospitality. If there’s anything I can do to change your mind, please come speak with me.” He gestures for me to join him and together we talk to the door.
“Peter,” Rastus calls out. “Whatever Balaska offered you, don’t think for one second it will materialize. But if you want a real partner and a real future here in Greece, perhaps a family of your own—” He pauses and Peter stands stiffly staring straight ahead. “You know how to contact me.”