chapter 5

Antonio's POV

"Or you wish to look for trouble," Giuliana says, seductively rubbing her lower lip. "That is a grave accusation, my dear Antonio."

"And I wouldn't bring something like this up if it isn't genuine. Are you saying that none of you is aware of the fact that my uncle, Vito, conspired with the Carter family to overthrow my father and take control of our organization?"

A murmur of disbelief ripples through the room.

"What you may not know," I go on, "is that my uncle was acting on false information, provided by the Carter family. They deliberately misled him, for their gain."

A ripple of anger sweeps through the room, and the representative of the Carter family shifts uneasily in her seat.

"I have proof of their treachery," I say, and produce a CD of the recording from my briefcase. "The evidence is clear, and I believe we must act decisively to bring justice to the Carter family."

I watch, as a debate erupts among the assembled families. Some argue that the Carter family must be punished, while others question the veracity of the evidence. The debate rages on. I get tired of their bickering and call for order.

"We must decide on a course of action," I say, my voice rising above the din.

"If I know you too well, Antonio, you always have something planned out. A course of action already, to be precise."

"An ill has been done, and I am on the receiving end of it. It is unforgivable. I don't aim to unite both our families once more but to take revenge without more bloodshed, if possible. Therefore, I propose that the Carter family be required to publicly acknowledge their role in the betrayal, and to offer a formal apology." With this, I turn to the representative of the Carter family. "What do you have to say in your defense?"

The representative of the Carter family rises to her feet, her face flushed with anger. "I deny any wrongdoing. These are lies, and I will not apologize for something I did not do."

"Even if you did not directly participate in the coup, your family still benefited from it, and I am still yet to find out who exactly," I point out. "Your silence in the face of this injustice makes you complicit."

"I refuse to accept responsibility for something I did not do," the representative of the Carter family insists, her voice rising like a banshee's. "You cannot hold me accountable for the actions of others!"

"And yet, you stand to gain from those actions," I counter. "Does that not make you at least morally culpable?"

All Delores does is insist that she had no hand in conniving with my uncle nor does she have any information regarding such, therefore, she will not apologize on her family's behalf.

"But you have heard the recording," Bianchi says.

"The recording of a dying man who will say anything just to gain the mercy of his killer," Delores spits.

"How well do you know your daughters, Delores?" Montagna asks.

"As well as you know your whores better than your wives, Montagna," Delores bites back sourly.

Bianchi makes a snide laugh. Rossi shakes his head.

"Careful with your words, signora," Montagna warns. "My whores don't make stupid mistakes like your bairns."

The room goes silent as the two heads lock eyes, their expressions a mix of anger and determination.

Finally, I break the silence. "If you will not offer a formal apology, then perhaps you can offer another form of restitution?"

"What do you suggest?" the representative of the Carter family asked as she took her seat, a note of caution in her voice.

I hesitate, then say, "I believe that one of your five daughters should be given to me as restitution. Preferably the absent one."

Delores's eyes widen in shock.

"That is an outrageous suggestion!" she sputters, her face turning red. "I cannot allow my daughter to be used as a bargaining chip!"

"She is not a bargaining chip," I reply, my voice firm. "It is a way to heal the rift between our families and to bring balance to the organization. See it as compensation for my loss."

"At least, he's not demanding for blood as indemnification," Rossi says.

The representative of the Carter family goes silent, clearly wrestling with her thoughts. At last, she said, "I need time to consider this."

I nod. "You will give your answer within a week. The organization cannot remain divided for long."

Delores nods in response. "What about the recording?"

"What about it?" I ask.

"What will you do with it?"

I place the recorder back into my briefcase.

Bianchi looks playfully at Delores. "I think he plans to keep it, signora."

Madame Giuliana sighs. "Are we done here, Antonio?"

"Missing your bed already?" Montagna inquires, as he removes a stick of Arturo Fiente cigar from a new packet and lights it.

"Point of correction, missing a warm body."

"Why, I'm here."

"Why, I'm not your whore."

I called for a close and the meeting was adjourned. Just as we depart, Delores comes over. She has lost the angry look on her face, and it's just one of ridiculousness I see.

"Do send that recording to me as soon as you can. I'll have my men sift through it."

"It's a dying man's confession, not a dying man's lies."

"Your uncle was a liar, Antonio. And what does a liar do when he dies? I'll let you figure out the answer to that puzzle on your own."

I watch the representative of the Carter family leave. It takes me a short while to figure her puzzle out. And the answer amuses me.

For, when a liar dies, he lies still.