Chapter 46

Chapter 46—Allison decides

to meet with Jerry

8:12 p.m., Tuesday, December 27

After she had checked in Bernadette’s car, and walked the six blocks back to her apartment, just as always, Bernadette nodded and smiled at the doorman, but did not open her mouth. She then took the elevator up to Bernadette’s apartment. Sitting down in her favorite chair to reflect, she slipped her shoes off, and tucked her feet up under her. This was her relaxing posture—the position she loved most when she was a college student. She realized that it did not work well for “full-thighed” adult proper women—at least not in public. But there was no one around to observe her here. Perhaps, she reasoned, it was that sitting position that helped her think so clearly. She did not know that for a fact, but she thought it possible.
She had been seated for only a few moments, when she realized that she might feel much better with a drink to sip on, so she sprang up, much like that college girl from years ago, walked over to the bar, and poured herself a Scotch. On the way back to her thinking chair, she started reflecting about how adamant Jack had been about making sure Jerry was onboard. So, before she sat down, she grabbed her cell, and dialed Jerry again.
“Sorry to be a pest, but I got to thinking about this a little more,” she said.
“Not to worry. You may call me any time you wish,” Jerry replied. “How can I be of service?”
“Reg’s associate expressed more than a little concern about your level of commitment. Now, I do not question you, but I have promised Reg that I would talk to you about this.
“Besides, it would just be a good thing for you and I to get together before the next meeting.  I’m thinking tomorrow morning, 7:00 a.m. Does that work?”
“Certainly, whatever you suggest will be fine.”
“Great. I’ll pick you up at the regular spot?”
“That works.”
“Are you sure you’re up to it? Your infection is under control?”
“Sure, I might look a little pale. But I’m on the repair. I look forward to seeing you.”
“Seven a.m. it is,” Allison said, and disconnected.
“That will be for the best,” she thought. “It is important to keep Jack Handler happy.”
Allison was not afraid of Jack. She knew that he had more to fear from her, than she from him. And she had no doubt that Jack shared that belief. While many of those outside her inner circle thought that all the deaths surrounding her and her husband were the result of Bob’s personal dealings, Jack knew that was not the case. On two occasions, Allison had engaged Jack directly for the elimination of her enemies.
And when with the right company, she proudly took credit for several others not involving Jack.
That is one of the reasons Jack seemed to have no issue with her—at least with regard to her resolve or ruthlessness. His concern was with those with whom she had surrounded herself.
It was obvious that Jack trusted Reginald. They had worked together on numerous jobs. Allison knew that if it were not for Reginald, Jack would not be onboard. And it was important to Allison that Reginald had enlisted someone with Jack’s credentials to run point for him. Allison liked that.
Jack didn’t really have a problem with James, either. Everyone knew that James carried a big sword, and that he was just waiting for the opportunity to fall on it. It is not that he was masochistic. It is just that James possessed the ultimate level of loyalty. And he was an honest person. No one who knew him had ever caught him in a lie. That, along with all his other positive attributes, made him indispensable in an operation such as this.
That left Steve and Jerry. That’s why Jack had so aggressively confronted Steve at the meeting. He sought to instill fear in his heart.
As much as anything, Jack brokered in fear. He wanted Steve to see his dark side, to know that there were at least two .380 rounds in his Walther with Steve’s name on them.
Truth be told, had Jack decided that Steve needed to disappear, he would simply have dragged Steve over the table and crushed his throat with his hands. And he knew that the operation was so important, that had he opted to kill the young man on the spot, none of the others would have objected, much less interfered.
Fortunately for all, Steve also appreciated the gravity of the encounter. He thoroughly understood just how close he came to dying. He also recognized that his life meant nothing to Jack, or to the rest. He knew that he was in, and that there was no way out.
That left Jerry. Jack was not yet comfortable with Jerry. Allison was a little concerned that Jack turned down the offer to meet with the last member of the group. She knew enough about Jack to understand the gravity of Jerry’s situation—that Jack’s refusal to meet with Jerry was one step away from his putting a bullet in his brain.
Unfortunately, Jerry did not appreciate the danger. Allison now needed to make Jack comfortable with this last member of her group.
She thought about this at length, then got up and poured herself another drink. As she sat back down, she came to a conclusion. She decided to have Reginald join the two of them in the morning.
“Only Reg can make this palatable with Handler,” she figured. And she did not want to leave anything to chance. If Reginald were present at the meeting with Jerry, he would be in a better position to help his friend relax. Otherwise, she really feared that Jack might still feel constrained to kill Jerry.
So, she again grabbed her cell and dialed Reginald’s number. “Reg,” she said when he answered. “I need to have you meet with me and Jerry tomorrow morning. I’m picking him up at seven a.m. Where can I meet you?”
“Al, I’ve got a meeting at eight.”
“Where’s your meeting?”
“Near 59th and Broadway.”
“That’s fine. I’ll pick you up at the usual place at 6:30, and drop you off on 59th before eight.”
“That makes sense. You’re a little concerned about Jack, right?”
“More than a little. You and I both know his volatility. We need to protect our assets, and both Jack and Jerry are assets.” Allison was very concerned, but she understood that she needed to weigh her words carefully when describing her posture vis-‡-vis Reginald’s close associate. Allison simply did not want to lose either one of them.
Unlike Steve, Jerry was a personal friend, as well as an important member of her group. If Jack killed him, Allison would be expected to exact retribution. She wasn’t sure whether or not Jack realized that. She was, however, quite certain that Reginald did.
“I’ll be there. I think that is a wise move,” Reginald said.
“Great.” Allison said, as she disconnected.
What Allison did not realize was that Jack was sitting beside Reginald during the whole conversation. “Well, you figured that one right,” Reginald said to his friend, “you’ve got her attention. She wants me to be present at her meeting with Jerry—tomorrow morning, already.”
“That’s perfect,” Jack said. “You can wear a wire. I would like to hear what the deaf guy has to say.”
“It all depends. I doubt that she will bring a wand—that’s usually James’ job. What I will do is call you right before she picks me up, and carry my cell in my shirt pocket. Worst case, she might ask me to dump my battery.
“But I agree that it would be best for you to listen in on what he has to say. In the end, I think you’ll find him totally committed.”
“It’s not so much his commitment I’m concerned about.” Jack replied. “I’ve found that guys like Jerry are usually weak, and ultimately untrustworthy. … Do you think he’s weak?”
Reginald did not like Jack’s tone—already he was assuming the unacceptability of the last member of the group. Like Allison, Reginald liked and trusted Jerry. But even more important, Reginald did not think that it would be possible to keep Steve onboard, much less energized, without Jerry.
“Jerry has a hearing problem,” Reginald said, “but I don’t think he is weak. I’ve worked with him before, and he has always been more than useful.”
“We will see,” Jack said, not buying anything Reginald said concerning Jerry. “I will be better able to make a decision after I hear his responses.”
Reginald knew what that meant. Jerry’s life was hanging by a thread, and the eight hundred pound gorilla held the scissors.