“About thirty minutes,” Buda said, and rang off. He wasn’t happy that the call had taken so long, but his hand had been forced somewhat. What were the odds that Berti’s guy Burim was this Pia’s father? From that perspective, he was very glad he’d thought to look into the issue. Killing the daughter of a connected man, even a long-lost daughter, even a daughter the father was ambivalent about, would have been a serious matter, especially for a man associated with the Ristani crew. More than any other crew Buda knew, they were addicted to violence. For them it was like a sport.

Buda quickly phoned Berti back and gave him a synopsis of the conversation. “As strange as it may seem, this Pia Grazdani may be Burim’s long-lost daughter.” Berti was as surprised as anyone. “We’re getting together in person,” Buda added.

“Good,” Berti replied. “I appreciate the care you are taking with this. I wouldn’t want anything to come between our organizations.”

“Nor would I,” Buda responded, and meant it.

Buda then made one more call before heading off to the restaurant rendezvous with Burim. He called Prek. It was now more important than ever that Pia be treated with kid gloves. Her fate was going to have to be in Burim’s hands.

Chapter 59.

59.

GREEN POND, NEW JERSEY
MARCH 25, 2011, 9:24 P.M.

Prek’s phone rang again. Again it was Buda, just as he expected. He took the news saying little until Buda had finished. He then reassured Buda that everything was fine at the cottage, and before he rang off, he asked Buda to bring them some takeout if it was convenient. Buda agreed, saying he’d bring it from the Swiss House.

“What is it?” Genti said after Prek had disconnected.

“The Buda is on his way with Fatos to a restaurant not far from here to meet with two of Berti Ristani’s guys who are brothers. It appears likely that the girl is related to them—the daughter of one and niece of the other. If it turns out to be true, my guess is they’re going to talk for a while and figure out how they will vouch for her silence just like we vouched for her safety. Then they’re going to drive here and find out that our promise was worth nothing. Then they’re going to shoot Neri in the head and you in the legs. If you’re lucky.”