Leo's movement drew no reaction from Walt's stony face.
But beside him, Billy's expression was full of envy.
"Sit down, Billy. I think you're the last squad vice-captain I've seen still around."
Billy sat down nervously.
As someone with decent rank in the gang, he vaguely knew this man across from him was their real boss.
But Leo's words puzzled him.
Last one? Damn it. Those guys went back and never told me a thing.
"Got a girlfriend, Billy?"
"Yeah… though not as pretty as yours."
Billy was still chewing over the last question, so he blurted the answer automatically.
Then he realized what he'd said and quickly tried to recover:
"I-I didn't mean I was coveting yours…"
But Leo cut him off.
"Doesn't matter if you covet or not, Billy. Do you know how to get a girlfriend like that?"
Billy actually did know, and Leo spoke the words in his heart:
"That's right. Franklin."
As Leo finished, Walt stepped forward and opened the small black case he was carrying.
Stacks of U.S. dollars were revealed.
Billy, the small-town kid with little worldly experience, couldn't tear his eyes away.
His gaze followed Leo's hand as it slowly caressed the money.
"Billy, all you have to do is answer a few simple questions.
And they're yours.
With this, you can have any pretty girl you want."
Leo's voice was like a devil's whisper.
Billy swallowed hard and nodded unconsciously.
"I heard Fess has been calling secret meetings with your squad leaders lately.
I haven't given him any jobs.
So I want to know: what's he talking about?
We're both locals, Billy. I hope you'll tell me the truth."
Instinctively, Billy wanted to refuse.
Nothing was more taboo in the gang than ratting out your own.
But Leo's final words struck like a battering ram, shattering Billy's already corrupted conscience.
Yeah... Leo's the real local boss. Fess is just an outsider.
Hell, wasn't Leo one of the founding members of the Lynchburg Gang?
How can telling him count as betrayal?
And Leo's generous as hell…
Once his mind was clear, Billy quickly said:
"Leo, boss, I wasn't high enough up to attend the meetings.
But our captain and Fess went to New York.
Before they left, the captain kind of hinted—Fess wants to deal drugs.
This trip was to negotiate the deal."
As soon as Billy finished, Leo pushed the money toward him.
"Good. That's the reward for honesty."
Billy scooped up the cash, but felt a chill in his gut.
Their gang had always been strictly forbidden from touching drugs.
Billy had always guessed Leo was the one behind that rule.
He thought this confession would make Leo furious.
But Leo was expressionless, as if he'd known it all along.
And thinking back to Leo's opening line about him being "the last vice-captain," it was obvious:
those other guys must have spilled the truth too.
"You're smart like the others, Billy.
I hope you'll also keep your mouth shut—
And when I need you, lend a generous hand."
On Long Island, New York—inside a grand villa.
Servants bustled about, cleaning up after a lavish dinner.
In the study sat the villa's owner—Emilio, head of the Barzini Family, one of the Five Families of the New York Mafia.
Across from him sat Fess, venting with bitterness.
"I respect him. On the battlefield, he saved my life more than once.
But he's so stiff—like an old man.
He wants to run the gang on honest money.
When he could be getting rich on the good stuff you're offering."
Emilio nodded calmly.
"Your gang is tough. And you, Fess, you've got leadership potential.
Look, this is modern times.
No businessman directly runs the gangs anymore.
Let me teach you how we do it in New York: we partner with them.
Why? Simple. Because we have money."
He leaned in.
"You missed the bootlegging boom.
Don't miss the drug trade.
And that Leo? He wouldn't be anywhere without you doing his dirty work.
Sure, you repaid his money—but you also repaid your debt.
You owe each other nothing now.
Leo is the only thing standing in the way of you getting rich."
Emilio opened a drawer and tossed a small bag of white powder onto the table.
"This business has to stay quiet.
My partners want you to know—if you want to keep selling, you need to unify the Richmond market.
Silence anyone who disagrees.
As your friend, I'd help you personally—but you know the Corleones are acting like rabid dogs.
I'm at war with them right now.
So if you want money, you'll have to do it yourself."
In the car on the way back,
Fess trembled as he took out the bag Emilio had given him.
He snorted a huge line at once.
The searing fire numbed the chronic pain of his old wounds.
Fess stared out the window, lost in thought.
He realized he no longer wanted revenge.
The more he understood the world, the clearer it was:
he'd never be able to take down people like MacArthur.
He consoled himself: God had let him survive, so he deserved to enjoy life.
Money and power brought women to satisfy lust.
Drugs dulled the pain.
The only thing ruining this perfect life was Leo, forever whispering about revenge.
And worst of all, Leo himself had started living it up these past two months—new woman every week.
If Leo had given up on principles, why should he feel guilty?
At that moment, Fess made up his mind.
He would kill Leo.
Back at the Barzini villa, Emilio was on the phone.
"Sir, it won't be a problem.
I can tell Fess has made up his mind.
Once he deals with this Valentino, I'll move right into Virginia to support your company's expansion."
"Excellent, Emilio. You're handling this even better than I expected.
I've recommended you to a lot of my friends.
They all think you're perfect to replace Vito Corleone.
Sonny Corleone makes people nervous.
Keep up the good work."
In a nameless alley off East Broad Street in Richmond.
Leo's driver stood at the mouth of the alley, smoking.
Deeper inside, a car rocked violently.
The motions grew faster, the muffled noises turned to high-pitched cries, then fell silent.
The rocking stopped.
Leo opened the car door, handprints covering the fogged-up windows.
As he buckled his belt, he ordered the driver:
"Take her home. Then come back for me."
Turning away, the driver didn't see the small spy camera in Leo's pocket.
The driver had been Fess's recommendation.
Even after dealing with Fess, Leo couldn't keep him around.
He needed a replacement.
Most of the team had gone west, and Leo was feeling short on trusted people.
He needed someone reliable.
Leaving the alley, Leo walked across the street to the Noodle Restaurant across from the Pharaoh Bar.
There was someone there who would do nicely.