HIDE

EPISODE 34 - A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL.

Wilson was, somewhat surprised but careful not to show it. So, it was true that Aldo wanted to distance himself from his criminal roots. This issue with the Sicilian Mafia was something that could be resolved by hiring a few talented hitmen, but Aldo was clearly unwilling to risk it since he wanted to become an upstanding citizen. Wilson idly wondered what had motivated this man to do it. He doubted Aldo had had a sudden change of heart. Men like him generally didn’t. Whatever his motives were, they were likely selfish. Just like his own had been.

“I’d like to help you, but my father and I aren’t on speaking terms,” Wilson said, meeting Aldo’s gaze. “I’m sure you’ve heard of it.”

Aldo’s lips twisted into a faint smile. “I’ve heard of it, yes. And I’m sure you’d like for people to continue hearing that.”

“Is that a threat?” Wilson said, looking at him flatly.

“Not at all,” Aldo said, his tone neutral. “I have no interest in threatening you. I want your help, not your unwilling cooperation. Once this… misunderstanding with your father is resolved, I have no intention of blackmailing you. I just want to get it over with.”

Wilson studied him for a moment, looking for any sign of deception. He found none.

“You will give me whatever evidence you’ve found among Ford’s possessions,” Wilson said at last. “If you try to double-cross me—”

“I won’t,” Aldo said, exuding impatience. He opened his desk drawer and pulled out a flash drive. “The originals were deleted, you have my word on it.”

Wilson would have laughed if these were normal business negotiations, but in these circles, where there were rarely any written contracts, a man’s word meant a lot. Aldo Massimo didn’t have the reputation of someone who didn’t keep his word.

He put the flash drive in his pocket and then looked at Aldo. “I will speak to him,” he said, getting to his feet. “It might take a few days before I have an answer for you.”

“You’re welcome to stay here until you get the answer.”

Wilson almost smiled. So for all the supposedly voluntary nature of his help, there clearly was a limit to Aldo’s trust. The Russian wanted to keep him close: both to keep an eye on him and to use him as leverage if things went sour with the Sicilian Mafia. They might be “guests,” but he wondered what Aldo would do if they attempted to leave.

“We’ll stay here,” he said, and then paused, somewhat thrown off by the use of “we.” It wasn’t a word he used often. He was used to being selfish and personalizing things. 

Shaking the strange thought off, Wilson got to his feet and left.