Sixkill

49

“I know of no one in Los Angeles who does not fear Stephano DeLauria,” del Rio said on the phone when I finally got through.

He paused for a moment. I waited. The way he paused, I knew it wasn’t my turn yet.

“Except Chollo,” del Rio said. “To the best of what I know, Chollo isn’t afraid of anything.”

“If it gives him trouble, he assumes he can shoot it,” I said.

“Exactly,” del Rio said.

“And Bobby Horse?” I said.

“On his own,” del Rio said, “yes, Bobby Horse would be cautious of Stephano. But with Chollo... He would go with Chollo into a working volcano.”

“And you?” I said.

“I fear my wife,” del Rio said. “Everything else Chollo and Bobby Horse take care of.”

“So tell me about DeLauria,” I said.

“He is an excellent hand fighter, a fine shot with handguns and long weapons. He is skilled with explosives. He is expert with a knife. Even a cudgel.”

“Cudgel?” I said.

“I have worked very hard all my life to perfect my English,” del Rio said.

“Lot of people have those skills,” I said. “What makes Stephano especially fearsome?”

“His willingness,” del Rio said. “He has been known, without malice, to kill a man, his wife, children, and dog.”

“To make a point?” I said. “Or just because they were there?”

“Either,” del Rio said.

“It doesn’t bother him,” I said.

“I believe he likes it,” del Rio said.

“A skilled sadist,” I said. “Who’s found a profession suited to him.”

“Yes,” del Rio said. “Oddly, he seems devoted to his wife, and is thus entirely loyal to her father.”

“Nicky Fellscroft,” I said.

“Yes.”

“Does he ever freelance?” I said.

“Stephano?” del Rio said. “No. He is Nicky Fellscroft’s personal assassin.”

“So if he went after somebody, it would be because Fellscroft told him to?”

“Or his wife told him,” del Rio said.

“Fellscroft’s daughter,” I said.

“Yes,” del Rio said. “And she would never point him at anyone without her father’s agreement.”

“Close family,” I said.

“Very,” del Rio said. “And one to which Stephano is very pleased to belong.”

“It’s worked out well for Stephano,” I said.

“Do you expect him to come for you?” del Rio said.

“Possible,” I said.

“Would you like me to have Chollo kill him for you?” del Rio said.

“You’re very kind,” I said. “But no, I need to deal with him myself.”

“Yes,” del Rio said. “You probably do.”