by Tony Farraj
“Where was I?” Anthony was about to restart his conversation with Carlo, when there was a knock on the door. ‘Remember, be cool. Let’s see what the man has to say. You got that Michael?”
Michael didn’t respond.
“I said; you got that Michael?” Anthony asked again. This time Michael nodded. Anthony walked to the door. “Who the hell are you?”
“I beg your pardon, I must have the wrong street. Is this Down Stream Lane?” A stranger asked.
“No.” Anthony answered annoyed by the interruption.
“Do you happen to know where Down Stream Lane is?” The stranger asked.
“What do I look like, a tour guide? Get the fuck out of here.” Anthony slammed the door in the stranger’s face and went back to the kitchen.
“Who was that?” Carlo asked.
“Some guy looking for Down Stream Lane.” Anthony answered.
Meanwhile, the stranger walked half way down the block and ducked into a black van, with dark tinted windows.
“Did you get a look at who was in the house?”
“I believe Carlo Sabbetini, Frankie Pattaglia, both of the Mazellie brothers, Chris Pappas and Anthony Sakakini. Anthony was the one that opened the door.” The stranger spoke to the other men in the cramped beat up van.
“What about Hong and his men?”
“No sir, they weren’t in there.”
“Tell the boys to sit tight with the surveillance team. I want them to shoot everybody coming in and out of that house.” Special agent Jonathan Shepherd, with the F.B.I. asked firmly.
“You think something is going down?” Asked his long time partner special agent Edward Hill.
“Our C.I. said there was a big meeting going on tonight. I’m sure this is where he said the meeting was taking place.” The black van drove down the deserted street and back to F.B.I. head quarters.
Back at the house, there was another knock on Anthony’s door. “If it’s that same asshole, I’m going to knock his fucken teeth down his throat!” Anthony jerked the door open and was about to confront the stranger, when he realized it was Mr. Hong. “Gentlemen, please come right in. We’ve been expecting you.” Anthony moved to one side and let Mr. Hong and his men enter. “I believe you know everyone here.”
“Hello Carlo. It’s an honor to see you again.” Lee Hong extended his hand in friendship.
“It’s been a while Lee. You remember Sonny and Michael.”
“I am truly sorry for the lost of your father. He was a good and respected man. I extend my deepest condolence to you and your entire family.” Mr. Hong said with great respect in his tone of voice.
“Thank you.” Sonny said sofly.
“Please, have a seat and we can get this meeting under way.” Anthony led everyone to the formal living room table. He stood at the head of the table, while Mr. Hong sat at the other end. Carlo sat to the right of Anthony and Sonny sat to the left. Frankie sat next to Carlo and Chris sat next to Frankie. To the right and left of Mr. Hong sat two of his aides. The one to the right of Mr. Hong, Anthony knew. He was the one that stuck the gun in his face from the back seat of the car. Anthony looked over to see Michael wasn’t happy about where he was seated (in a chair up against the wall). There wasn’t anything Anthony could do about it. “I would like to thank all of you for coming. Let me start off by saying, whatever we discuss in this room, stays in this room. What we say in private must remain private. Since Mr. Hong requested this sit down, I think he should be the first to be heard. Mr. Hong, the floor is yours.” Anthony sat down.
“Thank you. I would like to start by saying it is an honor for me to be seating with Mr.Sabbetini. I understand we may not solve all our problems tonight, but we can make an effort. Today can be a great start for both our organizations. Today we can form an alliance that can last for decades and make both our organization very wealth.”
Everyone listened contentedly.
“For us to make this fair and equal partnership, we must work together. Your organization has always controlled the South side of town. Victor has always had a strong tie with the elected officials. Everyone knows nothing gets done without this family’s approval. That is the kind of power that should not be limited just to this organization. I have cargo that sits on my duck that I can’t move without paying this family a substantial fee. This is unacceptable. Years ago, we had an arrangement that my business would not be tampered with. I understand your policy about illegal drugs and I admire the fact your family will not distribute them in your territory, but to block my men from doing so, again is unacceptable.”
“Wait a minute!” Carlo stood up and interrupted Mr. Hong. “None of my men go anywhere near your drug supply. They know that’s a death sentence in this organization. Now, if your men sell that shit in our territory, they have orders from me to kick the shit out of whoever they are. My advice to you is; keep that crap on your side of town and we won’t have any problems.” Carlo said firm and steady.
“Uncle Carlo is right. I’ve sat here and listened to you long enough. I heard what you want this family to give up, but I haven’t heard what you’re willing to give up in return? You want us to give up some of our elected officials. My dad worked hard to get those bastards in his pocket and you want us to turn them over to you, because you can’t move your drugs? That’s bull shit!” Michael got up and headed for the front door. “You know Lee, my dad never liked you. He may have respect you, but he never liked you. If he was alive today, he’d tell you to go to hell!”
Anthony stood up and tried to regain control of the situation, but Michael wouldn’t listen.
“I am very sorry I offended you, I did not come here to do so. But, I also didn’t come here to be offended. I came here with my hand extended in friendship and all you do is slap it away? I can see clearly now, that this was a mistake.” Mr. Hong stood up from the table and made his way passed Anthony. “We all came here to resolve our differences, to call attention to the misunderstanding we are having, but I can see that this meeting did nothing but accelerate our problems.”
Anthony jumped in and tried again. He knew if Mr. Hong left. War was inevitable. “Gentlemen, I’m sure this can be resolved, if we all sit back down and calm ourselves. Mr. Hong, Michael doesn’t speak for this family. He spoke out of turn. I apologize for his outburst. We all here know how important this meeting is to both our organizations. Please, have a seat so that we may continue this meeting. I’ll speak to Michael.” Anthony motioned for Mr. Hong to sit back down. He then grabbed Michael by the arm and led him into his room.
“What the fuck is your problem? You don’t speak for this family!” Michael screamed in Anthony’s face.
“Calm down, I’m not here to argue with you. I’m going to be straight with you, either you get with the program or you get the fuck out of this family. Carlo and I have big plans to rule this whole fucken town. You have a choose to make right now, you either stand with us or you cut all ties with this family.” Anthony glared in the eyes of his worst enemy. “I’m so sick of you pushing your fucken weight around here. I’m going to make you this promise; you leave here tonight, the next time I see you, I will put a bullet in your fucken skull!”
Michael stood in disbelief. “Are you threatening me? You think you have that kind of power? Let me tell you something, you don’t.”
“Michael, you have no idea how much power I have and how much power I can get. I’m going to ask you one more time; are you standing with us or are you going to stand alone?”
“If I walk, I’m taking everyone with me. You’ll have no one to protect you out on the street.”
“So, now you’re threatening me?” Anthony was calm. Even though below the surface he was boiling like melted lava.
“I’m going to have your head on a silver platter. You want a war, be prepared.” Michael pushed Anthony aside and walked into the formal living room. Anthony followed close behind and watched as Michael whispered something in everyone’s ear. He watched as Fran
kie, Sonny and Chris stood up.
“What the hell is going on?” Carlo asked puzzled.
“Uncle Carlo, Anthony thinks he’s the one running this family. He just told me I must choose between this family or his plan. I choose this family. Now I ask you the very same question; uncle Carlo, do you choose Anthony or do you choose this family?” Michael stood tall, as he waited for Carlo’s decision.
“Anthony, is this true?”
“You know how I feel about Michael. I set up this meeting to make peace with Mr. Hong. I only want to do what’s best for this family, but Michael wants to make it personal. I’m asking you to stand with me and we can fix our problems with Mr. Hong and both our families can run this city. But, if you choose to walk with Michael, I will consider that as an act of war and have no choice but to brake from this family.”
You could’ve heard a feather hit the floor, after Anthony made that statement.
“Whatta saying?” Michael snapped back.
“Only this; if you walk, be prepared to face another player in this game, me. I have the power to start my own crew. If you don’t think I could do it, try me.” Anthony looked around the room. He could see the stun look in the eyes of the fellas’ he hung around with, they didn’t look happy.
“Are you fucken crazy? The boys in New York won’t allow you to muscle in, I won’t allow you to muscle in on my territory.” Carlo was infuriated by Anthony’s remarks.
“I’m only telling you the truth don Carlo. You leave with Michael, be prepared to face the consequences .” Anthony stood his ground.
“You’re fucken crazy if you think we’re just going to roll over and take it up the ass! This was your plan all a long, divide and conquer. And to think my dad trusted you. You’re nothing but a piece of shit! You have no honor! You have no loyalty!” Michael spit on the ground in front of Anthony’s shoes.
“For once in your pathetic life Michael, you’re right. I have no honor or loyalty to you, but to your father, that is a different issue. Mr. Mazellie was an honorable man. A man I truly respected and no matter how hard you try, you will never be half the man he was. So, I’ll ask you one more time; leave with Michael and face the consequence, or stay and hammer out an agreement? The choice is yours.” Anthony turned and began to make his way to the kitchen, when he stopped. “I know what you’re thinking; this guy has no one to protect him. You would be making a great error to think that. I will give you time to make up your own mind.”
“Hey, fuck face. We don’t need time. If you want a war, I’ll give you a war like no other. The one left standing is the one who will run this town and this family.” Michael turned and walked to the front door, followed by Sonny, Frankie and Chris. Carlo stood in the living room and watched Anthony.
“Are you going to stay?” Anthony asked, his back facing the front door.
“I can’t believe I trusted you. You broke my heart. Why?” Carlo asked firmly. “You where the son I never had.”
Anthony turned and looked Carlo in the eyes. “It was going to be Michael or me, you choice Michael.”
“Before I leave, I want to give you a piece of advice; watch your back.” And with those words, Carlo walked to the front door.
“Don Carlo, this isn’t a smart move. Michael can’t protect you and you know it! You want my advice; watch your back.”
Carlo pause at the entrance of the house. “Are you threatening me? You remember what we have together, before you make threats you can’t keep.”
“No, I’m not threatening you, I’m just giving you a chance to change your mind. Choose wisely.”
Carlo walked out of the house and never looked back.
“Mr. Sakakini, are you sure this was a smart idea? This does nothing, but cause more problems.” Mr. Hong acted concern.
“Trust me, I know what I’m doing. I just need your word that you will not take Michael or Carlo’s side. When this is over, you and I will control the south side and surrounding areas.” Anthony extended his hand to Mr. Hong.
“I will not interfere, as long as you give me your word that your personal war will not bring trouble to my operations.”
“Agreed.” Both men shook hands and walked out the front door.
Anthony watched as the black sedan drove out of sight. Tonight, he had walked to the edge of the cliff and looked down. The jagged rocks below beckoned him to jump. Michael had played him like a cheap violin. Thoughts of horror began to creep into his head. Who would he turn to for help? What about the death of Sal, was that going to come back and bite him on the tail? The truth was, he didn’t want to break ties with Carlo, but it was to late now. He told everyone not to loose their cool and he was the one that lost his. There is only one man that could pull him out of the fire and help him establish his own crew; the question is; would he?
CHAPTER 7
“V” IS FOR VENDETTA.
The following morning, special agent Jonathan Shepherd and special agent Edward Hill where going over surveillance pictures taken at Anthony’s home.
“Do you see anything strange in these pictures?” Agent Shepherd asked his partner.
“Not really. Am I missing something?” Agent Hill examined the pictures closer.
“Usually these guys leave arm and arm, with large shit eating grins on their face, but something happened last night.” Agent Shepherd got up from his chair and walked over to the pictures that covered the large wall in the conference room. “See how they left at different times and different groups.”
“Yeah, so?” Agent Hill wasn’t making the connection.
“Whatever happened last night, obviously didn’t sit well with everybody.” Agent Shepherd continued to examine the pictures.
Agent Hill leaned back in his chair and stared at his partner. “What do you want to do?”
“Let’s keep the surveillance team in place and see what develops in the next few days. Tell them to watch the main players, Lee Hong, Carlo and the Mazellie brothers. Also, find out if we can sit up a meeting with our C.I. (confidential informant) sometime next week.”
“You got it.” Agent Hill walked to a phone in the other room and spoke to a field agent.
Agent Shepherd turned and stared out the conference window. The busy downtown street was crawling with people out to lunch. Some sat in the park, while others ate on the run. He had stood here before, five years ago trying to bring down the same group of men. The game was the same, only the player’s change. For special agent Shepherd this was a battle between good and evil, between right and wrong and this time he wasn’t going to let these men escape justice on a technicality. This time he was more determined than ever, to bring these people to justice.
Across town, Anthony walked out of his back door and straight to his garage. He lifted the door up and slid the cover of the Mercedes. He got into his car and pulled out of his driveway and headed to Spinelli’s Automotive. Anthony pulled the car into the lot and walked into the showroom.
Inside the show room sat two cars, a convertible Ferrari and a black Bentley. The showroom floor wasn’t what Anthony remembered from five years ago, when he parked cars for Mr. Spinelli. It was now completely mirrored, to show the under carriage of the precious automobiles. Anthony walked up to the receptionist and asked to speak to Vincent Spinelli.
“Do you have an appointment?” Asked the receptionist.
“No, just tell him Anthony Sakakini is here to see him.” Anthony walked back to the Ferrari, while the receptionist placed the call. As Anthony waited, he ran his hand across the fine oiled machine. The body of the Ferrari felt smooth. He opened the door and was making his way into the driver’s side seat, when he heard a familiar husky voice.
“Hey you, get the fuck away from that car!” Mr. Spinelli walked out of his office and stood, just inside the showroom floor.
Anthony didn’t have to turn around to recognize who was yelling at him.
“Just because you know the owner, doesn’t mean shit! You know his motto…”
“Anthony, it good to see you.” Vincent wrapped his large frame around Anthony.
“Hello Mr. Spinelli. How you doin?”
“You don’t wanna know. How’s the car, are you happy with it?” Vincent asked, as he held Anthony by the shoulders.
Anthony turned and stared at the red Ferrari. “I’d be happier with this one.” He smiled and gave Me. Spinelli a quick wink. “I wanted to come by and personally thank you for your generosity and ask a favor.”
“Sure Anthony, let’s go into my office. Tina, hold all my calls.” Mr. Spinelli took Anthony to his office. Inside, the walls where covered with plaques and awards. There was a large oak desk, which seemed to be too big for the office. Anthony wondered how such a desk made it through the tiny door way. On the other side of the office, stood a large wooden Indian. The kind you use to see in front of drug stores, decades ago.
“Come in Anthony. What’s on your mind?”
Anthony sat down and waited for Mr. Spinelli to hang up his jacket, before he spoke. “A long time ago, you told me if I ever needed your help, that your door was always open.”
“I said that then and I’m telling you now. Whatever you need.” Mr. Spinelli said confidently.
“It’s a long story, but I’ll try to give you the short version.” Anthony began to explain the situation between Lee Hong and Carlo. He told Vincent about the meeting at his house and how Michael walked out and left a bitter taste in Lee’s mouth. Anthony also told Mr. Spinelli about the shooting and how Lee thinks it might have been one of his own family members.
“Wait a minute. You’re saying that Lee Hong told you that the person that shot you, might have been from your own crew?” Vincent leaned back in his chair and stared at Anthony. “That’s unfucken believable!”
“Now do you see why I need your help?”