Sudden death

Uncle Ernesto looked silently into the distance. Pamela had the impression that he was delighted to revive every detail of this encounter in his mind's eye.

"And what business did you suggest him?" Pamela helped him back on his feet.

“Well, I offered Don Alfonso 35% of my profit if the local owners would buy their fish from me. Of course, the boss knew immediately what I was getting at.

He should “persuade” the restaurant owners to buy their fish from the Canettis in the future. Seen in this way, Don Alfonso could collect twice, which wouldn't cost him more than a few calls. ”

“ But 35% is a damned high percentage, ”Pamela mused.

"That's right. But according to my calculations, with a lot of diligence and the right customers, a lot more could be left than before. ”

A ferry had passed them in close proximity, which suddenly caused violent waves. Pamela had to hold on or she would have slipped off the bench. After the sea had calmed down again, Uncle Ernesto continued:

“Normally, Don Alfonso's business interests moved in completely different spheres and mosquitos as small as I was usually ignored.

But Don Alfonso was not interested in my business idea, but in the person who was behind it. He had read in my eyes the hunger for money and power that demanded more, much more. Within a few moments the owner recognized that rough diamond in me, after looking for so many years. ”

“ Has he got into your business or not? ”Asked Pamela, who could not do anything with the other statement.

“Yes, but not because of the profit. He saw this agreement as an opportunity to put me to the test. He had nothing to lose. But I do everything. ”

Uncle Ernesto threw the empty can into the sea and wiped his damp hands dry on his linen trousers.

“A few days later, the order business was fully up and running. It could be seen from the local owners that they weren't particularly pleased to be ordering their fish from the Canettis in the future.

But it soon turned out that they were very satisfied, because we delivered really first-class fish and absolutely fresh seafood. Slowly we made a name for ourselves and a modest prosperity began to set in, ”said Uncle Ernesto and looked after the plane, which had left a white contrail in the cloudless blue sky.

“I did not disappoint Don Alfonso and he saw in me that enterprising and above all loyal man who was called for more than just the fish trade. Don Alfonso was well past 60. His marriage had remained childless and there was no one in the family who had the potential to become his successor. Most of the Syndicate members had been arrogant dumbbells and taking orders.

And the few who would have had the necessary brains had no backbone and there was a lack of courage and leadership personality. In addition, Don Alfonso had the Russian mafia on his back. She wanted to bring the port under her control, as this was the largest hub for drug trafficking and arms smuggling in the city. In addition, the harbor district was the prostitutes' most lucrative source of income.

And if the Russian syndicate were to get their hands on the port, the rest of Vancouver would be just a walk through the green fairy tale forest. Don Alfonso got wind of the Russian coup in good time and gave them a brutal lesson. However, the patron was well aware that this victory would only be short-lived. The Russians would regroup and go to work more skilfully next time.

That, too, had been a reason why Don Alfonso had time on his neck. He absolutely needed an adequate successor so that the Cosa Nostra in Canada would continue to show strong leadership and thus remain inviolable. ”

“ And he really chose you? ”Asked Pamela with incredulous astonishment.

"That's how it was," confirmed Uncle Ernesto. “The great Don Alfonso had introduced me to the complex and rather obscure business of the Syndicate. But I learned quickly because I was inquisitive and very disciplined, ”he said, not without pride.

“The patron also arranged my marriage to Emilia. As you yourself have already recognized, Emilia is not and never was beauty with God, but her father was a loyal and wealthy member of the family, which could only be an advantage for us. Emilia was also very stylish and had perfect manners. She was supposed to teach me the necessary manners, which she didn't really manage, ”he smiled at Pamela.

"When Don Alfonso died 10 years ago, I took over his inheritance and have been the patron ever since."

Pamela listened to her uncle with fascination.

She still couldn't believe that this somewhat staid-looking man in the white linen shorts and the blue polo, under which the small belly was unmistakable, was a dangerous mafia boss who was blackmailing with left-wing businesses such as money laundering, prostitution and drug trafficking Earned money while the fish trade only served as camouflage.

Actually it should have been repulsive to Pamela. But she was amazed to find that the opposite was the case.

She liked and immensely fascinated that her uncle was an important and influential criminal who was respected by everyone. After she had digested this news halfway, she asked him:

“Do Aunt Emilia and Pedro know about you?”

“Emilia knows, but she prefers to close her eyes to my professional activities. She doesn't want to know anything about it. And Pedro suspects something, but he doesn't know exactly. ”

“ And why are you telling me about it? ”

Ernesto averted his gaze and stared out at the sea, where in the distance a catamaran in the afternoon sun at high speed over the blue water surface dashed. Pamela felt the tension emanating from her uncle. Although he was sitting there very calmly, she could feel how upset he was. Then he looked his niece straight in the eye:

“I've been watching you for several years now. You have all the requirements that Pedro unfortunately lacks. You are ambitious, capable of learning, reliable and intelligent. ”

“ Requirements for what? ”

“ To be more than just a pretty photo model. ”

Confused, she smiled at her uncle.

"Uncle, I can't quite follow you."

Canetti leaned forward and put his elbow on his thighs.

“The man you killed was a Russian mafia killer. He should get me out of the way.

But first he wanted to get some important information out of me. If you hadn't killed this man, the port would surely already be in Russian hands today and instead of the killer I would be lying on the seabed of Hudson Bay, weighted down with concrete shoes. ”

“ And why did they want to kill you right now? ”

“ There's a new one Chief of the Russians. He has to make a name for himself in order to be credible. And to demonstrate the best example of his power and assertiveness would be the takeover of the port in Russian hands, which the Russians have always been keen on. The timing was very good. There is no potential successor who could take over the business in the event of my sudden death. "