Death Never Sleeps Read Online Free PDF Page B

money. I just don’t know where it is.”
    “Oh, Christ. Then who does?” Michael said.
    “Only Alex, I think.” Donna smiled and took a healthy sip from another vodka, which Maria had replenished.
    Michael looked around at the restaurant, partly to relieve the pressure from the intensity of their conversation. As he did, he realized that many of the men were eyeing Donna with a look of lust that certain women inspire, if not command. She had a presence and the rare ability to look sultry and sensual in mourning. Her short black dress and dark stockings barely concealed the tan legs that Michael knew were carefully nurtured recently under the Miami sun. She showed just enough cleavage to ensure attention—too much, perhaps, for such a recent widow. Michael’s mind, he realized, had wandered too far.
    “You must have some idea, Donna. How about the Lesters or George?”
    “No way. Alex was always afraid someone would beat it out of them. He loved both Lesters, but he knew neither of them could stand up to too much pressure. He certainly loved George, but he wanted to be sure his mother never got her hands on any more of his money than she got out of the divorce.”
    “Where do we start?” As soon as the words left his mouth, Michael wished he could take them back. He realized he’d said “we” instead of “you.” He also knew it was too late. The life that he so carefully insulated from Alex’s was about to be merged.
    “I’d like both of us to talk with your old friend Russell,” Donna answered. Russell Munson was an old friend, originally of Michael’s, since grade school. As was typical, Michael moved on and had almost no contact with Russell, while Alex and Russell became close friends. Russell was smart, a graduate of the exclusive Brooklyn Tech High School and City College. Like Alex, he wasn’t interested in the traditional white-collar world, and he became a very talented carpenter and mason.
    “How would Russell know?” asked Michael, trying to figure out the possible connections and implications.
    “Alex would always have Russell do work in the house. I don’t know for sure, but I remember years ago Alex told me that, before I knew him, he would hide money in the woodwork and drop-down ceiling of his apartment with Greta. Russell seemed to be doing a lot of work in our house, especially when I happened to be down in Florida and Alex was home alone.”
    “Do you need me to speak with Russell?” asked Michael, beginning to look for what was known in his world as an exit strategy.
    “Michael, Russell trusts you. Someone has to deal with Fat and Skinny Lester too. Not to mention the rest of his crew, probably twenty more guys. They’re devastated and they don’t know what the hell to do. And I need you now—just for a short time to unravel this whole thing … and to keep the family safe. That includes keeping you and your family safe too.”
    Michael knew that her words had made their intended impact. His head jolted back ever so slightly. He felt like he’d lost his focus momentarily as the realization of real danger to him and his own family sunk in. He could see Donna looking right into his eyes as though she was trying to look behind them, to see how much havoc she’d caused. He knew he needed to recover.
    “Donna, everyone around Alex knows I’ve never been involved in his business.”
    “Some know. Some don’t. Some don’t care. In their world, Michael, you’re family so you’d have to know. Whether you are or you aren’t, they’re going to assume you are. So whoever had your brother killed probably did it over money or something having to do with his business. These guys are going to figure you’re brothers, you’re tight, and you’re involved.”
    She stopped, reached over, and gently placed her hand on top of his. It was a loving gesture from a hardened woman, making it so much more effective. “He loved you, Michael. He was hurt by your absence. Your mother and