76

BRANDON

“I’m going to be quick,” I say over the phone as soon as I’m a few feet away from Alayna; she’s now sound asleep. “What’s up?”

“We have a lead,” Wolf announces. “I met Phoenix today, and his birds brought useful news, but he needs assurance before confiding anything.”

Phoenix is another mob leader who operates in Westchester, the Bronx, Connecticut, and New Jersey. Wolf briefed me about him and the others. Phoenix is one of the oldest among the eight and operates a large multibillion-dollar enterprise of smuggled guns. He also runs a loan shark and illegal gambling operation. I see nothing else interesting about them, but I must hear what Wolf has to say.

“I need assurance too, Jason,” I say firmly. “These people are the real criminals.”

“I’ve had a truce with him for as long as I can remember, but my Wolves don’t exercise their operation, I’m sure you know that. But Phoenix and I work together with shipments since we’re basically neighbors. We can’t afford to lose that, or we