Pezanowski's ruddy complexion was deepening with the drink.

"Is that a problem?" asked Sergio. The way he asked it implicitly carried the command "if it is, fix it."

"It might be, if they mentioned Rivera and Crane. Murphy won't be able to find them, though. They're too deeply under. A lot of the guys under me are covert. It's the way the game is played."

"I think it was stupid that you used them. Pennestri wouldn't have cared who you sent. Sending them might cause suspicion down the line."

"True. But they'll keep quiet and I have control.. Besides, they can't be called up to testify because no one knows who they are."

Sergio took another sip. The vodka he served was top notch, many grades above what his present company deserved. He didn't like Pezanowski. He also knew he was moonlighting on the side with the priest. That didn't matter, because the priest received orders from Rayburn, and Sergio controlled Rayburn.

He rather enjoyed his webs of intrigue. At his age, it was much better than sex. In spite of the ED pills, he had lost his edge there. Unlike body parts, libido was not easily replaced by trips to Switzerland.

He was still in good shape. His was a wiry build. In both New York and DC he had a gym with all the latest equipment. Last century his age would have been estimated at late forties or early fifties. This century, of course, and especially with his trips to Switzerland, his age would simply be indeterminate -- not old, not young. He had kept his sleek black hair and piercing dark eyes, giving him a rather oily, snaky look. He dressed like a rich man, but not ostentatiously. To him, money was not a motivation - once he had enough, it was irrelevant. It was the power and control and the smart planning that went into achieving them. He amused himself by manipulating human beings.