“As soon as we’re done here, I want you looking for her. If this shipment wasn’t so crucial, I would have sent you off this morning.”
“Of course, sir.”
“Get with Jonathan. He’s got the app you need, or whatever you call it.”
“App?”
“To track her.”
This time, my quizzical look is a genuine one. Rinaldo uses one hand to rub at the center of his back, grimacing slightly. He twists around a little to stretch it.
“I have her chipped. I have all my family chipped. Don’t you dare tell Lele, or she’d have my balls.”
“A GPS chip?” I can’t contain my surprise.
“In her neck, yes.”
Our conversation is cut short as Beni comes up and starts laying out the details of the shipment we’re about to receive. He points up to one of the buildings that I’m supposed to scout.
“Bad spot,” I say. “I can’t see the whole area from there. I’ll be over on the east building.”
Beni glares at me and tries to argue.
“Coverage is better from there,” Paulie says. “I’m with Evan.”
I look over at him, and he grins. If he’s trying to make friends, it’s not working. I don’t need his help; I have no intention of being on the building Beni indicated. The fact that he is trying to dictate my movements is suspicious enough.
“I’m directing this show,” Beni says. “If you don’t like it—”
“I’ll be where I fucking want to be!” I stand up straighter and stare Beni in the eyes. “If you had any fucking sense, we wouldn’t be here at all!”
“Relax!” Rinaldo places his hand on my shoulder again. “We don’t have time for this.”
I shrug him off and continue to stare at a seething Beni. Rinaldo shoos Beni and Paulie away and then turns back to me.
“You’re being paranoid, son,” Rinaldo says under his breath, but I’m not convinced. “Did you get any sleep last night?”
“I’m fine.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” Rinaldo is losing patience with me.
“I slept fine, sir,” I tell him. Then I look at him with a wry smile. “Even got laid, if you’re interested.”
Rinaldo laughs and slaps me on the back.
“We’re about ready,” Beni says as he walks back over to us, ignoring me completely. “Everyone, get into position.”
I head up the side of the building to the east, glancing at Beni to see if he’s going to argue, but he doesn’t. With my duffel over my shoulder, I get into position. It doesn’t take long to set up. The wind is unusually calm, which reassures me. Where I am now has more cover than the other sniping spots around the parking lot, which is why I decided to set up here, but I still don’t like the whole idea.
Through the Barrett’s scope, I survey the area. We’re still a half hour away from the truck’s arrival time, and there’s nothing of note in my sights. I focus on the group for a moment and see Rinaldo talking with Becca. She’s got her spreadsheets on a clipboard, and she’s pointing out some details.
I’m still annoyed. More often than not, Rinaldo listens to what I have to say and takes my advice. Maybe it’s because of my long absence, but he seems to trust the opinions of others over mine these days. I’m obviously not Italian, but sometimes Rinaldo listens to family too much. They don’t always know what they’re talking about.
At all.
I look around again, trying to determine the weakest entry point to the area. The main drive is easy to see, and no one will try to sneak in that way. There are a lot of trees surrounding the east side, which could be an issue, but there’s no road or even a dirt path in that direction. On the opposite side, there’s a drive coming around the back of the building.
“Watch the back drive,” I say through the radio.