The door to the social club opened and the short soft spoken Jew walked into the room. He walked softly. He talked softly. He was deadly none the less. A snake without a rattle to warn you.
A scar faced man in an expensive suit sat at the table drinking espresso. He looked up and a flash of pleasure made a brief trip across his features. A flicker at most. You had to know him to see it. Luckily Meyer knew him well.
"Charley" he said as he pulled out a chair and put his hat on the table. "We got a problem"
"Hows that Meyer? Things seem to be calming down. We are in good with that Pig Masseria. He trusts me about as much as he trust anybody. I know you hates you but it ain't nuthun personal. It's just cause you're a Jew. He don't even like most wops if they don't come from his shit hole village back on the other side."
"Well I hear there is a new game in town. It seems that a new patron is setting up. Salvatore Maranzano. He was a hot shit back in Sicily and he came prepared. Money. Guns. Guys who can and will use them. He is already making some moves to muscle into bootlegging. It is going to come to guns sooner than later. Do you think betting on Massiera is the right play. He ain't that smart. Shrewd I grant you. But he is a dumb fuck."
"He's on top right now. Plus he has the fucking Clutching Hand and Ciro and all those fucks uptown in his pocket. It ain't the time to make the move now. We need to get more of the boys on board. It's gonna happen just not quite yet."
Meyer shook his head. "I don't know. This Marazano is not going to go quietly. He has a lot of support. Especially in Brooklyn. He's gonna make a move. I know it. I can smell it. We don't want to be standing between him and Massieria. Somethin to think on Charley. That's all."
"Fair enough. We don't have to do shit tonight. Let's go for some Jew food. I feel like pastrami."
"Katz's it is." They got up and put on their hats and walked toward the door.
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