Chapter 4
Conrad's Business Meeting
Conrad Gentner double-parked his 1982 burgundy Cadillac in front of the Spanish Grocery, and waited with taillights flashing amid slow traffic that would build in volume within the next ten minutes when the factory down the block let its workers go for the day.
He reminded himself to be tactful when Harrigan showed up. Tact was not necessarily Gentner's long suit and he knew it. He was known to be more flamboyant than anything else; although anyone who had had anything to do with the way Conrad earned his keep knew how dangerous he was, if provoked.
He was wearing neatly creased blue jeans, steel-gray ostrich boots and a head of hair that many rock stars would envy. Some women tended to adore him, whether he had money on him or not. At the moment he had approximately $700,000 in his possession, although not on his person. He was meeting Harrigan to determine what he should do with the money. Harrigan was a money man, that is, he had a knack for handling large sums of money without the IRS, or anyone else for that matter, being the wiser about it.
He was also rather clever about transacting business with people like Conrad, and he approached the Cadillac without being spotted by Gentner or anyone else and tapped on the window opposite the driver. Conrad jerked in his seat, surprised at being caught off-guard. Harrigan motioned for Gentner to open the door and he did so. Harrigan got in and sat next to Gentner.
"Drive around the block."
Conrad started the Cadillac, and slowly went around the block.
"Head for the park: its two blocks east," Harrigan said.
When the Cadillac wove its way into the park, Harrigan told him to park in an area used for a children's playground.
"Let's get out and walk around," Harrigan said, and opened his door. Conrad had no choice but to follow. They took a path not used by the walkers and joggers, walked a short distance and came to a small bench. They sat down, and Harrigan began, "So, tell me your story."
"I got some money..." Conrad said, "And I'm not quite sure just what to do with it."
"You wouldn't have called me otherwise," Harrigan said, lighting a Marlboro.
"I'm in a bind. I mean... Do I invest it long term, short term, or what?"
"Don't push, Gentner. You're going to come out of this smelling like a rose."
Conrad burped on cue. "That'd be better than I smell now."
Harrigan walked Conrad through the various ways in which he could safely invest his money, and how much he would derive from each method. They were almost all designed to keep him from ever declaring the money, except for certain investments, for which to be prudent he would have to declare at least some, if not all of the interest.
"I thought I didn't have to declare a dime," Conrad said.
"Sometimes declaring something is best," Harrigan said, flipping the cigarette into the bushes across from where they sat.
"I'm a greedy bastard," Conrad said, and waited.
"Well..." Harrigan said, and paused. "If you gotta have the whole enchilada and more..."
Obviously interested in this tack, Conrad said, "Yeah?"
"Heroin, cocaine... other pharmaceuticals, they all pay very well."
"How well?"
"Done properly, maybe 5000, or 10,000 percent."
"Now you're talking," Conrad said.
"Ah, but the risk also increases... almost by the same percentage."
"There's gotta be a relatively safe way," Conrad declared and then waited.
After a moment or two Harrigan offered, "One can invest in another's business. But as I said, there is a high risk."
"What is it?" Conrad asked. He thought he knew, but was paying for the information, so he waited patiently for Harrigan to complete the picture.
"One, they can take your money and run. Two, they take the money and kill you. Three, they take the money and actually set out to complete the deal, but maybe something goes wrong, as in someone informs on the deal, and the Feds make a bust. Or, a rival learns of the deal and intercedes, possibly -- no, make that probably -- killing those involved on the other side. Four, the deal goes smoothly, they give you your share which would be a tidy profit. And they'd tell you when they'll want to borrow some dough from you again."
"I like the last scenario," Conrad told him, as a young teenaged girl and her boyfriend walked past them wrapped in their own little world, not even glancing at them.
Harrigan lit another cigarette. "I know, but you gotta consider the other possibilities."
"Yeah, I know. So, what do I do?"
"You have my money?"
"Yeah," Conrad said, and took an envelope from his inner jacket pocket and handed it to Harrigan.
Harrigan counted the money and snorted in satisfaction. "You want the drug deal, don't you?"
"I guess," Conrad replied laconically.
"Gimme a number I can reach you at tonight."
"I don't discuss things like that over the phone."
"I know that. We'll set a meeting up."
"There's a movie theater... you know, the Stanley, in Journal Square..."
That's good. When you call, just give me the time."
"Okay, but let's meet in one of the back rows of the orchestra."
"Fine, if it's crowded, we can move elsewhere without raising any undue suspicion."
"Undue suspicion... I like that," Conrad nodded as they stood up, then went off in separate directions