Omerta - Mario Puzo [42]
At this the other men raised their eyebrows. The consul general was inferior to them in actual power. He saw their reaction and smiled at them, again becoming his affable self.
“I know I have this weakness. I fall in love. But indulge me. I’m on strong and correct political ground. Inzio, I know kidnapping is your métier, but it doesn’t really work in America. Especially a woman. Now, if you take one of the brothers and make a quick deal with Astorre, you have a chance.”
“Not Valerius,” Portella said. “He is army intelligence and has CIA friends. We don’t want to bring down that load of shit.”
“Then it will have to be Marcantonio,” the consul general said. “I can do a deal with Astorre.”
“Make a bigger offer for the banks,” Grazziella said softly. “Avoid violence. Believe me, I’ve been through this kind of thing. I’ve used guns instead of money, and it’s always cost me more.”
They looked at him with astonishment. Grazziella had a fearsome reputation for violence.
“Michael,” the consul general said, “you’re talking about billions of dollars. And Astorre still won’t sell.”
Grazziella shrugged. “If we must take action, so be it. But be very careful. If you can get him out in the open during negotiations, then we can get rid of him.”
Tulippa gave them all a huge grin. “That’s what I like to hear. And Marriano,” he said, “don’t keep falling in love. That is a very dangerous vice.”
Marriano Rubio finally persuaded Nicole and her brothers to sit down with his syndicate and discuss the sale of the banks. Of course, Astorre Viola also had to be present, though Nicole could not guarantee this.
Before the meeting Astorre briefed Nicole and her brothers on what to say and exactly how to behave. They understood his strategy: that the syndicate was to think he alone was their opponent.
This meeting was held in a conference room of the Peruvian consulate. There were no caterers, but a buffet had been prepared and Rubio himself poured their wine. Due to scheduling differences, the meeting took place at ten in the evening.
Rubio made the introductions and led the meeting. He handed Nicole a folder. “This is the proposition in detail. But to put it very briefly, we offer fifty percent over the market price. Though we will have complete control, the Aprile interest will receive ten percent of our profits over the next twenty years. You can all be rich and enjoy your leisure without the terrible strains that such a business life entails.”
They waited while Nicole glanced briefly through the papers. Finally she looked up and said, “This is impressive, but tell me why such a generous offer?”
Rubio smiled at her fondly. “Synergy,” he said. “All business now is synergy; as with computers and aviation, books and publishing, music and drugs, sports and TV. All synergy. With the Aprile banks, we will have a synergy in international finance, we will control the building of cities, the election of governments. This syndicate is global and we need your banks, so our offer is generous.”
Nicole spoke to the other members of the syndicate. “And you gentlemen are all equal partners?”
Tulippa was quite taken with Nicole’s dark good looks and stern speech, so he was at his most charming when he answered. “We are legally equal in this purchase, but let me assure you I consider it an honor to be in association with the Aprile name. No one admired your father more.”
Valerius, stone-faced, spoke out coolly, directly to Tulippa. “Don’t misunderstand me, I want to sell. But I prefer an outright sale without the percentage. On a personal level, I want to be completely out of this thing.”
“But you are willing to sell?” Tulippa asked.
“Certainly,” Valerius said. “I want to wash my hands of it.”
Portella started to speak, but Rubio cut him off.
“Marcantonio,” he said, “how do you feel about our offer? Does it appeal to you?”
Marcantonio said in a resigned voice, “I’m with Val. Let’s make the deal without the percentages. Then we can