by Tony Farraj
“I’ll show you…” And without hesitation, Anthony jumped on Sal’s chest. Sal’s head bounced on the wet street. Anthony jumped again and again. Each time harder and with more force. On the final jump, Carlo heard what sounded like a long moan exit Sal’s body. Anthony stepped off and began to roll Sal closer to the edge. “Are you going to stand there and watch?”
Carlo walked over and nudged Sal’s body over the side. The body fell into the water with a forceful splash. Anthony watched as the body of Salvatore Giganti sink to the bottom of the bayou. In mere seconds, the water was still and calm. Salvatore Giganti was now completely out of sight. The only remaining trace was one single long bubble that floated up from the bottom and rippled the bayou water. Anthony walked back to the car and closed the trunk. Carlo was already inside smoking a cigar.
“I’m not sure about this. What if someone saw us?” Carlo was very nervous. He kept staring into his rearview mirror and his side mirrors.
“Calm down. No one saw us. All we have to do is stick together and we’ll be fine.”
The full moon reflected off the still bayou. Anthony and Carlo drove back to the social club. They both stepped out of the car and walked inside. Helen was sitting at the bar, with an ice pack against her face. The mark Sal left was still there. When she saw Anthony, she ran to his side and through her arms around him. “I was worried about you. Is everything alright?” She asked hesitantly.
“Sal won’t be bothering us ever again.” Anthony said as he held Helen tight in his embrace. He gentle kissed the bruise that was still present on her lovely skin.
“Where’s uncle Carlo?” Helen asked. She didn’t want to leave the comfort of Anthony’s embrace.
“He was behind me. I guess he must have stopped off at the bathroom. He’s not doing to well. I’m concerned about his…”
“Concerned about what?” Anthony didn’t see Carlo walk up behind him.
“Nothing.”
“What? That if the shit hits the fan, I’ll sell you out?” Carlo was becoming agitated.
Anthony turned and looked into Carlo’s eyes. “That’s not what I said.”
“Goodnight, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Carlo turned and walked away.
“Let’s go home.” Helen grabbed Anthony by the hand and walked to the back door. They both stepped out of the club and made their way to Helen’s car, which she moved when Anthony and Carlo left. As they approached, a figure stepped out of the shadows and stuck a hunting knife in Anthony’s side.
“Give me all your money.”
Anthony stood still. He could feel the tip of the cold hard steel press up against his warm flesh. “Hey buddy, you don’t want to do that. You can have everything you want. Just get that knife away from my side.” Anthony asked calmly. He wasn’t ready to go back to the hospital.
“Don’t fuck with me, I’ll cut you up.” The masked man said nervously. The stench of whiskey and body odor passed by Anthony’s nose.
“Alright, just calm down.” Anthony reached in into his pocket and handed the robber his wallet.
“Now you, bitch. Throw me your purse.” The robber was becoming impatient. His voice seemed to tighten with every phrase he spoke. He reached out his filthy hand and snapped his dirty fingers at Helen.
Anthony didn’t want her to get any closer to the parasite then she had, too. “She doesn’t speak English. There isn’t any money in her purse. All the money you need is in my wallet.”
The masked man took another look in Anthony’s wallet.
“If that isn’t enough, I have a ring and a necklace worth ten to twelve thousand dollars in my front pocket.” Anthony slowly pulled out Sal’s ring and diamond stud crucifix and flipped it to the masked man. “Now if I was you, I’d take that money and the jewelry and leave, before I get mad.”
The masked man paused for a second to make sure the ring and diamond stud crucifix were real. He then ran down the alley and across the street, without looking back. The minute the masked man was out of sight, Anthony quickly lifted up his shirt. The knife had left a small puncture wound on his skin.
“Are you alright?” Helen asked franticly.
“I’m fine, let’s get home before something else happens tonight.” Anthony said looking around one last time. “This is one night I’ll never forget.”
They both got into the car and drove toward Anthony’s home.
CHAPTER 6
ONE DOWN, TWO TO GO.
Anthony awoke to the sound of heavy banging on his front door. He got out of bed, threw on his shirt and went to confront the person that woke him up from a peaceful slumber. “I’m coming! Keep your shirt on!” Anthony swung the door open briskly. “What the fuck do you two guys want?”
Detective William and his partner, detective Johnson stepped inside and walked into Anthony’s living room and sat down.
“Why don’t you guys come in and make yourselves at home.” Anthony said sarcastically, as he slammed the door.
Mrs. Sakakini walked out of her bedroom. “Anthony, everything alright in here?” She stared angrily at the two men in her house.
“Yeah, nothing to worry about.”
Detective William turned his attention back toward Anthony. “We’d like to ask you a few questions.”
‘No kidding, but I told you I don’t know who shot me in the flower shop. Why can’t you two get that through your thick skulls.”
“Personally, we don’t give a shit about the flower shop shooting. We’re here about last night.” Detective Johnson said firmly.
“What about last night?” Anthony never liked to talk to detective William or his partner, because he could never figure out what their angel was; one minute they’re police officers, the other they’re Hong’s men.
“Where were you last night?” Detective William pulled out a small black flip up note pad and began to write down everything Anthony had to say.
“I was at the club. Why?” Anthony asked puzzled.
“Was anyone with you?”
“Yeah, what’s all this about? Do I need a lawyer or are you going to tell me what’s going on here?”
“Who where you with?” Detective William waited for Anthony’s response.
“Your mother.” Anthony was sick of their questions. He knew they where on a fishing expedition and they where using him as bait.
“You think that was funny? We can do this the easy way or I can haul you down town and do it the hard way.” Detective Johnson got up close and personal with Anthony. “Now, I’m going to ask you one more time, who where you with?”
Anthony glared intensely at detective Johnson. He could feel his muscles surge with adrenalin. “I told you, nobody you know. Now get the fuck out of my face. You don’t come in my house and stare me down. What the fuck is some matter with you?”
Detective William stood up and pulled out a clear plastic bag from his jacket pocket. “Does this look familiar?”
Anthony barely looked at the article in the bag. “No.” His eyes still fixed on detective Johnson. He wanted nothing else then to smack him across the head.
“Take a closer look. Does this look familiar?” Detective William removed the article from the bag and held it up for Anthony to see.
“That’s my wallet! How did you get my wallet?” Anthony was puzzled. The last time he saw his wallet was when he threw it at the masked man in the alleyway behind the club. “I got held up last night.”
Detective William stuck the wallet back into the evidence bag. “Did you get a good look at the guy?”
“No, he stuck me with a knife, asked for my wallet and took off.” Anthony lifted up his shirt and showed the two detectives the small mark the hunting knife left in his skin.
“Why didn’t you report it?” Detective William asked.
“The guy needed some money to get a bite to eat, no big deal.” Anthony felt a little nervous. He wasn’t sure how detective William was in possession of his wallet.
“Is that all he took? Noth
ing else, no jewelry?”
“No, why?” Anthony swallowed hard. The muscles in his throat tightened.
“We found a diamond ring and a diamond crucifix in his pocket. They both appear to be quite expensive.”
Anthony knew who the ring belonged to; it had to be Sal’s. “I guess you want me to come down and i.d. the guy?” Anthony began to search for his house keys.
“That won’t be necessary. He’s dead.” Detective William said softly.
Anthony couldn’t help but chuckle. As far as he was concerned, so was Sal’s murder.
“You find that funny?” Detective Johnson asked.
“Wait a minute, you don’t think I had anything to do with his death?” Anthony asked after a slight pause. “After he took my wallet, I never saw the guy again.”
“Calm down.” Detective William said. “We know how he died. The poor bastard got hit by a metro bus this morning.”
Anthony couldn’t believe his luck. He had to find a way to get the two detectives to show the ring to someone at the club or café. “I bet I wasn’t the only guy that poor bastard held up last night.”
Meanwhile, just outside of Anthony’s door, two uniformed officers where about to knock, when detective Johnson opened the door.
“What’s up?” Detective William asked politely.
The uniformed officer pulled detective William aside and whispered something in his ear. Detective William thanked the officer and turned to his long time partner. “Let’s go. They found a body in Hawthorn Bayou. It looks like a robbery/ homicide. We’ll see you around.”
“Hey, what about my wallet?” Anthony asked.
“It’s still evidence. This case isn’t closed, yet.” Detective William said, as he and his partner walked to their car and drove away.
Anthony closed the door and rushed to the phone. He had to tell Carlo about the cops finding Sal’s body. He dialed the café, but quickly hung up. He thought it would be best to tell him in person. Anthony ran into his room and finished getting dressed. He walked back to the front door and stepped out. As he was making his way to the café, Helen pulled up beside him.
“Where are you going?”
“I need to get to the café and talk to Carlo.” Anthony said anxiously.
“I guess you don’t have time to go to lunch with me?” Helen said sadly.
“I’m really sorry. I’ll make it up to you, I swear.” Anthony jumped into the car and leaned over and kissed Helen firmly on the lips.
“What’s so important that you need to talk to uncle Carlo?” Helen asked.
Anthony told her about the visit he had with the two detectives. He told about the two-uniformed officer and how they might have found Sal’s body. They pulled into the café and Anthony walked inside.
Mr. Sabbetini was on the phone talking to one of the under bosses in New York.
“We need to talk.” Anthony whispered.
Carlo motioned for him to sit down. “No, I haven’t heard from him in a while. I’ll have one of my boys check out his place. I’ll call you later, if I hear anything.” Carlo hung up the phone and stared at Anthony. He took a gulp from his drink and slammed the glass down. “That’s the fourth call today about Sal. This thing is starting to get on my nerves.”
“That’s why I’m here. The cops where at my house this morning.” Immediately Anthony could see Carlo getting ready to rush to judgment.
“Why where the cops at your house? Someone saw us, didn’t they?” Carlo frantically got up and poured himself another drink.
“Why don’t you calm down and let me finish.” Anthony said boldly.
”You just don’t get it, do you? You don’t understand what you did! These guys don’t play!” Carlo began to pace back and forth. It was making Anthony dizzy.
“Carlo, please sit down.” Anthony asked calmly. “Last night, Helen and I got held up. Before you go flying off the handle, we’re fine. The important thing is this; the guy who held me up, took my wallet and Sal’s jewelry.”
“How the hell did he get Sal’s jewelry? I saw you throw it in the bayou.” Carlo was confused.
“I didn’t throw it away. I was going to keep it.” Anthony felt guilty about telling Carlo he was going to keep Sal’s ring and diamond stud crucifix.
“Because of your fucken greed, we’re going to die. Are you fucken stupid? Now all they have to do is ask the guy where he got the jewelry.” Carlo couldn’t understand how Anthony could do such a stupid thing like that. “You my friend, just placed the last nail in our coffin.”
“Carlo, can I please finish. Please!” Anthony asked.
“Fine, but I don’t like where this is going.”
“They don’t know who the ring belongs to and they guy that held me up, he’s not talking. Do you know why he’s not talking?” Anthony paused for dramatic effect. “I’ll tell you why, cause the poor bastard got hit by a fucken bus this morning.” Anthony couldn’t help but laugh.
“So?” Carlo still wasn’t making the connection.
“Carlo, dead men tell no tells. He can’t tell them where he got the ring. The last man to see Sal alive was the man who held him up for his jewelry. The same guy that held me up. Are you starting to get the picture?”
Suddenly, Carlo’s expression changed in a blink of an eye.
“We only have one problem. Someone has to tell them that the jewelry they have belongs to Sal. Then hopefully they can put one and one together.”
“I’ll tell them the jewelry belonged to Sal.” Carlo said calmly.
“That won’t be necessary. They’ll come to you.” Anthony said.
“How do you know?” Carlo asked.
“Cause, I think they might have found Sal’s body.” Anthony answered.
“When?” Carlo took a deep puff of his expensive cigar and exhaled smoothly. The office quickly filled with the smell of butterscotch.
“When William and Johnson where at my house, a uniformed officer came and gave them the news. He said they found a body down by the bayou.”
“I guess you didn’t get all the air out of his lungs.” Carlo chuckled. “Now what?”
“Now, we wait.” Anthony leaned back in his chair and smiled.
“You got it all figured out, don’t you kid.”
“Hey, I learned from the best. You and Mr. Mazellie taught me that.”
This was a special moment between Anthony and Mr. Sabbetini and they both knew that. On the other hand, it was a dangerous one. Each man knew one slip of the tongue and they’d both be dead. Their confrontations and triumphs where now inner twined, their insecurities and their egos clashed in each of them. This was the perfect mixture for paranoia to set in. They had committed an unspeakable crime and by sheer luck they got away. The only other person with knowledge about the crime, sat directly opposite of the other. Furthermore, each knew the other couldn’t be trusted. But for now, they both needed each other to survive.
“I’m glad you decided to come back. We need a smart guy like you to deal the Lee Hong.”
Anthony told Carlo about the meeting he had with Mr. Hong, but he never mentioned anything about what Lee told him. “I have an idea how we can solve our problems with Mr. Hong, but you have to trust me and let me do it my way. If this works, you’ll be the biggest player in the south region. We could bring in a lot of money for the boys back in the big apple.”
“You’ll have my complete support. This time I will stand up for whatever you have going.” Carlo said.
Anthony stood up and walked to the two-way mirror and looked out at all the consumers. In a table close to the back, Helen was sitting alone, eating bread sticks. She held the long slender sticks in her hand and gently bit down and let the crumbs fall into her napkin.
“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Carlo stood next to Anthony and stared at his niece. “You shouldn’t let a beautiful girl like Helen eat alone.”
Anthony turned and looked at Carlo and smiled. “Someday I’m going to ask that angel to marry me
. Then I’ll have a little piece of heaven here on earth.”
“Does she know how you feel?” Carlo asked, as he glanced back at his niece.
“I’m not sure. I think it’s too early to start thinking about marriage. I don’t think Michael would like me as a brother in law.”
“You have to tell her how you feel. Then you’ll know for sure if she feels the same for you.” Carlo spoke softly. Each time he thought about a young couple, his heart felt empty like the large house he lived in all alone. Even after so many years, he still missed his lovely wife deeply. The missing drunk driver hit her while she was still young and now he had to carry that pain with him, until his dying day.
“You’re absolutely right.” Anthony walked down to where Helen was sitting and pulled his chair close to her. He grabbed her smooth olive colored hand and gazed into her beautiful hazel eyes. “Helen, I wanted you from the moment I saw you. I know we haven’t known each other long, but I have fallen head over heels in love with you.”
Helen looked into Anthony’s hazel eyes. Her heart pounded with enthusiasm. She never experienced any feels like the ones she had for Anthony. She missed him when he wasn’t around, her heart seemed to stop when he touched her, and the way he looked at her made her feel alive. “Anthony, I love you with all my heart.”
Anthony pulled her even closer and passionately kissed her on her full red lips. He felt like jumping on the table and proclaiming his love to everyone in the restaurant. “Helen, will you…”
“We need to talk, right now!” Michael had stormed in, with Chris and Frankie right behind him. He leaned on the table and glared at Anthony.
“Not in public. Carlo’s office.” Anthony turned his attention back to Helen, but Michael never moved from his position. “Look, why don’t you go upstairs and I’ll be there in a minute. I have something important I have to ask your sister.” Once again, Anthony turned toward Helen and gazed into her beautiful eyes.