Such gang leaders as Joe Morgan, “Goofy” Salvis, and “Nails” Pietro held forth with their smaller companies of mobsters. These groups were expectant. They wondered what they had to gain.
They looked enviously at Pete Varona, “Spiker” Condi, “Texas” Carey, and other district rulers of the Savoli organization. These men obeyed every command of the big shot.
They knew that their territories were to be reapportioned, to give the newcomers a break. Yet they relied upon Nick to see that they did not lose through the impending changes.
Singularly enough, there were two men who sat alone, apart from all others. They formed a sinister pair that viewed the proceedings with an indifferent air.
They were none other than John Genara and Tony Anelmo. These individualistic gangsters were mercenaries who killed for cash, and who had no interest in territorial disputes.
They belonged to the Savoli organization, and were so highly touted that their presence was necessary. They had been summoned by Borrango as a master stroke of subtle diplomacy.
Like the sword of Damocles, their presence hung above the heads of those who dined with the big shot. Every gangster knew what the Homicide Twins could do. They served as a reminder that Savoli had men who could strike in the dark.
The dinner was a pretentious affair. Elaborate courses were served. The best liquors in Savoli’s warehouses had been surreptitiously introduced; so certain was the big shot that there would be no police interference.
No business was discussed while the waiters served the dinner. That was to be later, when the room was cleared. Yet some member of Larrigan’s gang, inspired by an overindulgence in strong drink, made the mistake of mentioning the names of Hymie Schultz and Four-gun Spirak.
“We’ll get the guy that got them!”