by Tony Farraj
“Keep your money. I don’t want it.” Hank pushed the money and Anthony’s hand away. “I don’t want anything from you and I’d appreciate you leaving and never coming back, ever.”
Anthony stood there with the money still clutched in his fist. “I see. So, this it how you want to do this? Alright, I’m a reasonable man.” Anthony turned and started for the door. “Hank, are you sure you don’t want to sell?” Anthony asked without looking back.
Hank took one step forward. “Not a chance in hell! Now, get the fuck out of my bar!”
“Fine Hank, you want more time to think about our transaction, I understand. But, before I leave, I like to leave you with a little reminder of what happens if I don’t get my way. Vinnie.”
“Yeah boss?”
“You know what to do. I’ll be outside waiting.” Anthony slipped on his sunglasses and stepped out into the setting sun. Before he could get his whole body out the door, Vinnie grabbed a chair and launched it over the bar. The chair crash-landed into the remaining liquor bottles.
Hank barely had time to duck out of the way. Broken glass went flying across the bar and onto the sawdust floor. Vinnie reached into his jacket and began to shoot the small neon signs that hung behind the bar. At the same time, Bruno walked over to the vintage pinball machines and began to flip them over. The machines flickered and zapped, then began to smoke. The bar looked like the streets of Beirut. When all was said and done, Vinnie straightened himself up and calmly walked out the front door.
“Have a nice day.” Bruno added as he exited.
Hank crawled out from underneath one of the tables that hadn’t been turned over. He stared at his bar. He worked hard to make this place run and in less than a day, it was nearly destroyed.
Meanwhile, back in the car, Anthony discussed their next move. “Later on this evening, you two come back and finish him off. I want him begging me to take this place off his hands.”
“You got it.” Vinnie pause for a moment. “Can I ask you why you want this place so badly?”
“I see great potential here. A place where I can run my operation and not worry about the cops interfering in my business.” Anthony said softly. They all drove back home, where they found Mr. Spinelli waiting for them in the driveway.
“Hey Anthony, how you doin?”
“Good. How you doin?” Anthony answered.
“Let’s go inside and talk.” Mr. Spinelli said.
All four men walked into the house and sat around the kitchen table.
“I think the heat has died down enough, that we could probably take care of Frankie, if you still want too.”
“Absolutely.” Anthony didn’t even hesitate.
“Alright. We do it like we discussed. Vinnie, you and Bruno grab him and bring him to the warehouse, where Anthony and I will be waiting. Then you do what you have to do to get your questions answered. Are we all clear on this? I don’t want any fuck ups.”
Vinnie and Bruno nodded.
“Don’t do anything to harm him. I want this prick alive.” Anthony could feel his body tense up.
“What time does the poker game start?” Vinnie asked.
“Around 10:30 and it’s over when people run out of money.” Anthony knew tonight he would get all his questions answered. From who shot his mother and Helen, to who tried to kill him.
The sun had set four hours ago and the stars sparkled high in the sky. Vinnie and Bruno sat across the street from Mr. Sabbetini’s café and waited for Frankie to come stumbling out. As the night dragged on, Vinnie recognized some of the faces in the crowd, while others where just strangers. He glanced down at his fine timepiece. It was nearly three o’clock in the morning and the streets where deserted.
“Look.” Bruno whispered. “Isn’t that Frankie?”
Vinnie, who was beginning to doze off, looked up. “Yeah and Anthony was right, he’s drunk. This should be a piece of cake.” Both men stepped out of the car and made their way towards Frankie. “Hey buddy, you need some help?”
Frankie looked up and saw Vinnie and Bruno staring at him. “Who the fuck are you guys?”
“Us? We’re with the welcoming committee. Frankie meet Bruno.”
Bruno didn’t hesitate; he threw a right cross against Frankie’s chin.
Frankie stumbled from the punch, but stayed on his feet. A small amount of blood ran down his lips and dripped onto his shirt. “Damn it, you ruined my new shirt.” Frankie whipped the blood from his lip and stared at Vinnie and Bruno. The simple plan was now beginning to get complicated. Frankie was tougher than both men had anticipated. Bruno took another swing at Frankie, but even in his drunken stooper, Frankie managed to duck and retaliate with his own flurry of punches. Bruno doubled over and gasped for air. Frankie grabbed him by the collar and rammed his head into the car door.
Suddenly, Frankie felt someone jump on his back and place a handkerchief over his mouth and nose. Vinnie had soaked the cloth with chloroform. Frankie quickly released Bruno and tried to deal with Vinnie, but the smell was overwhelming. He fell to his knees and then face first into the empty street. Bruno took the opportunity to kick Frankie in the ribs, while he was down.
“Tie his hands and place the pillow case over his head. We’ll throw him in the trunk.” Vinnie huffed; he had to rest for a second.
“This fat bastard is heavy. Hey, you fucken sack of shit? You’re going to pay for your mistakes tonight.” Bruno grabbed Frankie’s feet and carried him to the car.
They drove to the abandoned warehouse on the other side of town. The windows to the building where broken out and one section looked like it was recently burnt. The outer walls of the warehouse where covered with gang graffiti and the interior smelled of urine. Vinnie and Bruno carried Frankie’s body to a large section, where Anthony was waiting in the shadows. They placed Frankie’s body in a chair, which was in the middle of the room. The chair was missing a wheel on one side and the cushion looked like a rat had chewed through the cover. Vinnie removed the pillowcase from Frankie’s head and slapped him back to life.
Frankie sat motionless, still drowsy from the chloroform. “Who the fuck are you guys? Do you know who you’re dealing with? I’ll have both of your fucken heads hanging on my wall!”
“Frankie, you won’t do a thing, cause I think you forgot who you’re dealing with.” Anthony stepped out from the dark. His eyes fixed on Frankie.
“Anthony?” Frankie said. “I don’t understand?”
Anthony walked forward him and placed the cold hard steel against Frankie’s sweaty temple. He slowly pulled back the hammer.
“Please Anthony, I had nothing to do with it; it was Michael.” Frankie quickly pleaded.
“You had nothing to do with what?” Anthony asked calmly.
Frankie swallowed hard. The excess salvia that gathered in the back of his throat made him feel like he was drowning. “The death of your mother and Helen. It was Chris. He wanted to earn his bones, killing you would have made him a made man.”
“Chris? You’re telling me Chris was the one that killed my mother?” Anthony was shocked. “Alright Frankie. I have another question for you; who tried to kill me in the flower shop?”
Small beads of sweat formed around Frankie’s upper lip. “Anthony, you know I can’t tell you that. If I talk, I’m a dead man.”
“Frankie, if you don’t talk you’re a dead man. Who gave the order?” Anthony turned to Vinnie and Bruno and asked them to untie Frankie.
Frankie sat there and messaged his wrists. The nylon rope had left a red mark around them.
“It was you, wasn’t it? I just want to hear it from your own lips.” Anthony said calmly.
“I’m sorry Anthony. I got the order and I had to carry it out or I would’ve been dead.” Frankie looked down and overrated Anthony’s glare.
“Tell me who gave the order? I t was Michael, right?” Anthony asked.
“No.”
“Then who?” Anthony asked puzzled.
Frankie to
ok a deep breath. “It was Carlo.”
Anthony lowered the gun and looked in disbelief. “Carlo, why Carlo? He barely knew me at the time.”
“From the moment he met you, he was afraid of you. He didn’t trust you and he still doesn’t.” Frankie began to weep. The sound of his whimpering echoed throughout the abandoned building.
“Frankie, listen to me. I know you had to do what you where ordered to do, but I thought we where friends. I thought that shit between us was water under the bridge. I guess I was wrong. You sat there and told me your loyalty was to Mr. Mazellie, but it was always to Michael and Carlo. Frankie I trusted you and you betrayed me, but there is a way we could salvage our friendship. I’m going to ask you one more question and then I’m going to let you go…”
”Sure Anthony, anything to rebuild our trust.” Frankie actually felt relaxed in the position he found himself in.
“Who’s working for the Feds?”
“What? I don’t know what you’re talking about?” Frankie said puzzled.
“Let’s not play games, you answer my questions and I’ll let you walk out of here a brand new man, lie to me and I’ll shoot you where you sit.” Anthony’s mannerism changed with each question. He did that purposely to keep Frankie guessing.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Anthony! I swear.” Frankie pleaded.
Anthony turned away. “I’m going to ask you one more time, who’s working with the Feds?”
“I don’t know. I swear.” Frankie said. “I swear I have know idea what you’re talking about.”
Anthony turned back to Frankie, raised his gun and fired into both of his kneecaps. “I’m sorry, I just don’t believe you.”
Frankie screamed in agony. “Please Anthony!”
“I know.” Anthony fired another shot into Frankie’s stomach. The impact through Frankie over the chair and landed him face down onto the warehouse floor. The reddish blood encircled his body. “You stabbed me in the back Frankie! To think, I actually trusted you.” He walked over to where Frankie was laying and unloaded his gun. Pieces of bone and flesh shot out in different directions. The final shot splattered blood back into Anthony’s face. He pulled out a handkerchief and whipped the blood from his face and laid the bloody silk cloth on top of Frankie’s riddled body. “Rest in peace, motherfucker.”
CHAPTER 8
IT’ TIME TO TIE UP LOOSE ENDS
The summer sun sparkled off the new car Anthony got from Mr. Spinelli, granted it wasn’t the red Ferrari in the show room, but the Mercedes did shine in the driveway. Anthony enjoyed washing his car. It was therapeutic. It took his mind off all the tragedy that Michael had caused. He took out a brand new sponge and soaked it with leather cleaner and began to rub it all over the fine interior of the automobile. The leather interior soaked up the cleaner and immediately felt softer to the touch. Anthony hadn’t noticed Tina standing there with both hands on her hips watching him. He backed up to get a better look at his ride, when he stepped on Tina’s foot. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you standing there. Whatta doing here?” Anthony was happy to see her. She seemed to brighten up his day.
Tina pointed to Bruno, who was standing at the end of the driveway with a large smile plastered across his face.
“We do have a dinner date together, right? I thought I’d save you a trip. I hope you don’t mind me being here.”
“Not at all, it’s actually great to see you. Would you like to come in for a drink?” Anthony escorted Tina inside. “I have beer, wine or a soft drink.”
“I’ll take a soft drink, preferably diet, if you have one.” Tina glanced around the kitchen and peeked into the living room.
Anthony looked in the refrigerator and the pantry for a diet cola. “Excuse me for one second.” He ran to the front door and called Bruno. “Run down to the store and grab me a six pack of diet cola.” He handed Bruno a fifty. “Be back in ten minutes or less and you can keep the change.” Anthony walked back into the house, where he found Tina had moved to the living room. He walked over to the couch and sat next to her. Her sweet perfume tickled his nose and drowned out his own perspiration. Before getting to comfortable, Anthony excused himself one more time, so he could get changed. Anthony returned with a clean shirt and sat back down near Tina and gazed deep into her eyes. “I’m sorry I didn’t have anything for you to drink, but Bruno should be back in no time.”
Meanwhile, back at the café Michael and Carlo wondered why Frankie hadn’t checked in.
“It’s not like Frankie not to show up.” Carlo said concerned.
“His car is still parked in the same spot as it was last night.” Michael added.
“When did you see him last?” Carlo asked, as the smoke from his fine cigar danced upward toward the ceiling.
“Last night. He stumbled out of here around three in the morning.”
“I’ll have Sonny run by his place. The poor bastard is probably passed out on his couch, still wearing the same suit.” Carlo said with a slight grin.
At the same time, agent Hill and agent Shepherd where going over their notes and examining pictures. “Have you heard from our C.I. this morning?” Agent Shepherd asked, as he glared at Anthony’s picture.
“No, but he usually doesn’t call until after lunch.”
Agent Shepherd got closer to the pictures. “Something about this guy rubs me the wrong way.” He said as he tapped Anthony’s picture.
“Really? What about him?” Agent Hill asked.
“After our little conversation, I suspect he might be a higher ranking member than what he wants us to believe. He was so calm when I asked him about Chris’s death. Like he knew it was going to happen.” Agent Shepherd removed Anthony’s picture and handed it to agent Hill. “Let’s put a tail on this guy. I think he’s up to something.”
“Maybe we should pay him another visit.” Agent Hill suggested.
“Maybe?”
Back at the house, Anthony and Tina began to get closer to each other. Anthony kissed her passionately and began to unbutton her silk blouse. With a flick of his wrist, he had her bra undone and fondling her shapely breasts.
Tina arched her back, as Anthony gently nibbled on her hard pink nipples. The tiny bites made Tina moan with pleasure. Anthony continued to kiss down her washboard stomach, until he got to the top of her skirt. He reached underneath and tenderly pulled down her black silk panties. Tina obliged by spreading her legs wider. Anthony pulled up her checked pattern skirt and began to kiss the inner part of Tina’s thigh; she ran her fingers through his thick black hair.
The tinder moist kisses Anthony inflicted made Tina squirm with anticipation. Anthony’s lips glistened with Tina’s nectar, as he kissed the top of her pelvis and worked his way back up too the base of her neck. Tina unzipped his trousers and sled her hand inside of Anthony’s boxers. Anthony kissed her on the soft spot underneath her ear and slowly sled his erection deep within. Tina arched her back and took Anthony deep. The sweet smell of their passion, combined with their strong sexual appetite made their climax intense and pleasurable.
Back at the café, Carlo and Michael waited for Sonny to report about Frankie’s where a bouts.
“It’s about fucken time you showed up…!” Michael yelled, when he saw his brother walking towards them. “Did you find him?”
“No.” Sonny was a bit hesitant to sit within arm reach of his brother. “I looked in the window, but I couldn’t see anything.”
“Did you bang on the door?” Carlo asked concerned.
“Yeah, but he didn’t answer.” Sonny replied.
“Sonny, did you knock loud enough for him to hear you?” Carlo asked again.
“I knocked and no one came to the door.” Sonny was tired of repeating himself.
“I’m telling you, something is wrong.”
“Uncle Carlo, don’t get worked up for nothing. Just relax, pour yourself a drink.” Michael turned his attention to his little brother. “I want you to go back to Fran
kie’s and stay there until he shows up.”
Sonny got up and quickly walked to the front of the café. He didn’t want Michael to see the frustration on his face. He knew Michael wouldn’t hesitate in stringing him up like he did Chris.
Back at the house, Anthony and Tina laid on top of the couch, clutched in each other’s warm embrace. Her right leg flung over Anthony’s stomach covering his crotch and her head resting comfortably on Anthony’s chest.
“I’m really glad you came by, today.” Anthony said, as he got up to pull up his trousers and throw on his shirt. He didn’t want to move from his position, but he knew Bruno would be back any minute. “I hope we can do this again.”
Tina sat up and pulled down her skirt. Her face still flushed from the intense lovemaking. “Why don’t we? My parents own a beach house, we could leave now and be down there to watch the sunset.”
“I would love too…”
”But?” Tina interrupted.
“I’ve got some pressing business to take care of tonight for Mr. Spinelli. I’m really sorry.” Anthony could see the disappointment in Tina’s face. “I swear, I’ll make it up to you somehow.” He bent down and gave her a peck on the cheek and turned to the kitchen.
When suddenly, Tina let out a loud laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Anthony turned back quickly.
“Reach behind you?” Tina said in between laughs. She held her hand up to cover her pretty little mouth.
Anthony reached behind him. Tina’s bra was caught on the back of his pants. “I believe this belongs to you.” He unhooked the bra and tossed it to her.
“Thanks.” Just as she was buttoning her last button, the front door swung open.
“Mr. Sakakini, we need to talk?” Agent Shepherd and agent Hill made their way in with out hesitating.
“Hey, you can’t come barging in like this?” Anthony turned towards the two agents in one fluid motion.
“Yes we can, we work for the government. We can do whatever we want.”
Anthony didn’t even bother arguing with the two agents. “What do you two want?”