Of Kings And Pawns

by Michael Oshita

  He picked up the phone and dialed the casino. After a few rings, a gentleman answered. “Good morning, Crimson Tiger. How may I help you?”

  “This is Anthony Lazzero. I need to speak to Mr. Griggs right now.”

  “Hello, Mr. Lazzero. Mr. Griggs just came in. I will transfer your call. Please hold while I get him.”

  The phone went silent for a few minutes. “Hello, Mr. Lazzero.”

  “It’s about damn time, Griggs,” Anthony snapped in frustration. “It’s time that we acted out our plan, with a slight wrinkle. The old man needs to go down also.”

  “You serious, sir?” Mr. Griggs replied, trying to mask the excitement in his voice with shock. “What happened?”

  “The old man is a shell of himself. I’m currently visiting him right now, and it’s clear that he is no longer equipped to run the organization. We need to make this fast and quick. I’m afraid that Toma might try and devise a plot, too. We need to get rid of him before he has a chance to carry out whatever plan he is thinking of. We will take out Tiger and Jaguar first; then we will come back and take care of the old man. How fast can you get your men ready?”

  “They are always ready to carry out whatever plans you have, sir.”

  “Good. I’m going to speak to the old man now and see what he has to say. Get them ready and stand by until I call you back.”

  A knock came at the door. “Anthony,” Toma called out. “Lion wants to speak with you.”

  Anthony hung up the phone and straightened his coat. He opened the door to the two pack members and Officer Dye standing outside waiting for him. “What were you doing?” Tiger asked as he held the door open.

  “I had to call Mr. Griggs regarding a matter at the casino,” Anthony replied as he stepped out of the room and began walking toward the large metal door that led into the Lion’s Den. “Not to worry, though. Everything is under control.” Leopard walked through the metal door, and Officer Dye closed it behind him.

  ***

  Mr. Griggs hung up his office phone and began giggling in delight. My Lord, is this not the greatest day of my life? The old man’s health is so bad that Anthony has become desperate. So much so that he is willing to risk everything to take the role as boss. I will swat him down and take control before he knows what has happened.

  Mr. Griggs walked around his desk and looked up at a giant painting of the current pack members of —Martin, Toma, Daichi, and Anthony that hung on a wall. “Today is a new day,” he said out loud to the painting. “There will be a change of the old guard, and now it’s my turn to take over this organization.”

  Chapter 13

  Anthony made the turn from the metal doors and walked down the hallway that led to Martin’s quarters. He flirted with the idea of just killing his uncle right then and claiming he found his body like that. Maybe with a pillow, then no one would suspect anything. No, not yet. Toma and Daichi would suspect something. I’ll wait to dispose of them first before I sever the head of the organization.

  He walked around the corner and found the patriarch of the organization sitting back in his rocking chair, staring out the window. To his right another chair sat, waiting for him to fill it. “Come and sit with me, Anthony,” Martin called out. “I want to discuss something with you.”

  Anthony walked over toward his uncle, kicking away loose papers that lay on the ground as he went. He swung his body around the chair and plopped in it. “Yes, Lion. What would you like to talk to me about?”

  Lion looked over through disappointed eyes. “What happened with you and Toma? You care to explain to me why you and a brother were fighting?”

  “That little rat, he came and squealed to you on a little disagreement we had? What a piece of garbage,” Anthony spat as he pounded his fist on the armrest of the chair in rage.

  “His role is to handle matters of the organization and to look out for its best interests. He voiced concern over your role as underboss because of your lack of respect toward him and your inability to compartmentalize. You’re ruled by emotion, Anthony, always have and always will. Look how you reacted when I brought to your attention what your consigliere had said. I’m sure he voiced this concern to you many times, but your unwillingness to hear what your advisor has to say will one day cost you, and the rest of your men, your life.”

  Anthony dropped his head down and slumped in his chair. “You’re right, like always.” He didn’t believe the old man was right, but there was no use in arguing with him over something petty like Toma. Soon they will all be dead, and I will take my place as head. “I’m sorry, boss. He was being disrespectful and I didn’t appreciate it.”

  Martin looked over to his underboss; his demeanor had calmed down. “Anthony, you don’t need to feel disrespected, challenged, or threatened if your consigliere questions or second-guesses your decision making. His role is to challenge you, to find what your best is and bring it out every day. He is looking for what will be the best outcome and what is in the good of the organization. Someone like that is vital for properly running a business like this.”

  Martin stood up from his seat and walked toward the window, looking outside with his hands crossed behind his back. “When I promoted you and Tiger to the positions that you are in, I knew your personalities weren’t compatible with one another. I didn’t do that to punish you both. I did it because both of you have different perspectives on life and how to properly run an organization like this. Although you both have different views and opinions, I knew that when it came to making the right decision for the organization, I could count on you two to make the right call. Toma respects your opinions. He may not agree with them all the time. But, he respects them and I would expect you to do the same.”

  “I’m sorry, boss,” Anthony replied again as he stood up from his chair and walked next to Martin. Uncle and nephew both stood, hands crossed, staring out the window. “Is there anything else you wanted to talk to me about, sir?”

  “I once told you all that there was a safe for each of you. Four safes scattered throughout the southwestern United States. Well, there's a fifth one—my safe,” he confessed after pacing back and forth.

  He turned back around to face Leopard, who had a puzzled look on his face. “So there's one more out there?” he asked, trying to contain his built-up excitement.

  “Yes, it's in a town called Goodsprings. Head west till you find a property with a red barn resting on it. Inside of that barn my safe is buried. I need you and the rest of the pack to go and secure the safe and the contents inside of it. From there I need you to take it back to the casino. Toma has been instructed on what to do once it reaches the casino.”

  “Yes, sir,” Anthony replied. At this point, he thought, the old man has to be able to see how excited I am. Even though I'm trying my hardest to contain it, there must be a dead giveaway. He felt a smile forming on his face. As much as he tried he couldn't help himself—the news was too great.

  “What are you smiling about, Anthony?” Lion questioned with a raised eyebrow. “What are you thinking?”

  “Nothing, sir. It's just...just that I'm happy that this whole mission is almost over. I miss the city life. The girls, the drinking, the gambling, the thought that it's almost done…. I just relish that idea of being back home.”

  “Okay, well get moving so you can get back to your girls, drinks, and gambling as soon as possible,” Martin replied sarcastically, unsure if he could trust what Anthony was saying.

  Anthony gave him a nod, walked up, and gave him a hug and kiss on both cheeks.

  “Nothing is to happen to Toma and Daichi, understand?” Lion reiterated to Leopard as they parted from their embrace. “For family…”

  “First and foremost," the sleazy underboss replied with a nod and smile.

  There's hope still yet, Anthony thought as walked out of the Lion's Den and entered the hallway leading into the waiting area. Finally, a huge grin stretched across his face. I may have suffered a significant loss to that blasted far
mer, Mr. Brown. But, I can make that loss back and then some. If I count the safes of Carmine, the old man, and this one in Goodsprings, I'll have enough capital to own all of Vegas in an iron fist. It will allow me to take down the rest of the bosses in Vegas. I will own Vegas.

  Anthony walked through the metal door and entered the waiting room, where Toma and Daichi sat patiently. He removed the smile from his face. I can't give away my intentions to them, especially Toma. If anyone can stop me now, it's him.

  “Are you ready to go?” Tiger asked as he stood and killed his cigarette on the bottom of his shoe.

  “Yeah, I got to make another call to Mr. Griggs first though. He has to get a room ready for the contents of Martin's safe.”

  “Okay,” Toma replied hesitantly. “Daichi and I will be outside.”

  Anthony lumbered back into the small phone room and called the casino. This time, Mr. Griggs was waiting. “Hello, sir. How was your visit with Mr. Lazzero?”

  “It was good, Mr. Griggs. I had a revelation though in my visit.”

  “And what may that be, sir?”

  “It's time for us to go big. We are going to own Vegas. Toma, Daichi, the old man—they are all that stand in our way. All we need to do is take them out, and when they are out of the picture, we will run Vegas—every corner of it. Get your men ready and head south to a town called Goodsprings. If you head west, on the outskirts of the town, there is a home with a red barn resting on the property. Within the barn the old man's safe lay. You will meet me there, and that will be the final resting place for Tiger and Jaguar.”

  “There is another safe?” Mr. Griggs asked. He now was trying to mask his excitement to Anthony's news.

  “Yes, and after tonight it will be my safe. Get your men out there already, find the house, and wait for our arrival. Tonight we start a new era for the organization, and tomorrow we will bring a new day.”

  ***

  Silence fell between Toma and Daichi as they exited the Nevada State Penitentiary. They both knew what was happening. Anthony loathed speaking to Mr. Griggs, or so it seemed. His calls to the casino before and after his meeting with Martin could only mean one thing: he was scheming something, and whatever it was the two pack members were definitely not a part of those plans.

  “Are you going to say it or am I?” Daichi finally asked, breaking the silence as the two men slid their shoulder holsters and jackets back on.

  Toma looked at his bodyguard, pulled a cigarette out of his pocket, and lit it. “Do you think Martin is a part of Anthony's deceit or just Mr. Griggs?”

  “I don't think Martin is that evil, Toma. He is a father to us. I think Anthony is acting out against Martin's wishes.”

  “Then I guess we have no choice but to go against his wishes also,” Tiger replied as he took another drag from his cigarette. "What do you think he's scheming?”

  “I'm not sure, boss. But whatever it is, we won’t know until Anthony reveals his hand.”

  “We don’t have to wait for him to reveal his hand,” Toma replied as he gave Daichi a conniving look.

  “I still don’t think it’s smart to go against Martin’s wishes, Toma. He may be old and a shell of himself, but he still is like a father to us. He raised us; he made these safes for us. He always has and always will look for what’s in our best interest. Why now would he risk that and leave you and Anthony together?”

  “Fifteen million dollars, that’s why,” Tiger replied as he lit another cigarette. “We will go and find this safe. After we find it and get it all ready for transportation, then we will take out Anthony. We’ll call it an accident, and no one will think otherwise.”

  Daichi looked down at the ground, a little disappointed in what his mentor had just said. “How did we get to this point?” he asked finally, looking up out toward the giant mountain range in the distance. The sand kicked up across the desert, forming a layer of haze between Daichi and the mountains. “When did we start scheming the demise of one of our own? When did we start going against the word of our leader?”

  “These are desperate times, Daichi,” Toma replied, placing his hand on his bodyguard’s shoulder to console him. “We need to act before Anthony has a chance to.”

  “What if Anthony is not scheming anything? What if we’re overreacting to one little scuffle and things that were said in the heat of the moment?”

  Toma took his arm down from Jaguar’s massive shoulder and rested it back on the car. He took a deep breath. “I’m willing to take that risk if it means ensuring our safety, Daichi. You said Martin views us like sons. I view you as my son, and I will protect you even if it means going against Martin’s wishes.”

  Daichi looked back toward his mentor. “Thank you, Toma. Maybe you’re right. Maybe it is time for change.”

  “Good,” he replied as he turned back around and leaned on the car with his pupil. “Don’t worry, Daichi. After tonight we will be able to live free, just like how Martin wanted us to live.”

  Anthony had finally exited the prison and entered the parking lot. He had lit another cigarette and began walking toward the two men. “All right, we ready to go?”

  “Yes. Is Mr. Griggs ready for our arrival?”

  “He is preparing for it as we speak,” Leopard replied with a grin. “We got to get moving if we want to get down to Goodsprings by sunset.” He opened the back door to their vehicle and jumped in it, waiting for Toma and Daichi to follow suit.

  Mentor and student, father and son, gave each other one last look. This journey ends tonight.

  ***

  “Sir, we’re ready to go whenever you are,” one of Mr. Griggs’ foot soldiers pronounced as he entered the office of the self-proclaimed boss of the organization. “You think that eight men will be enough, sir?”

  Mr. Griggs rotated his chair to face his soldier. “Yes, eight men should suffice. We can’t bring anymore; it might draw too much attention to ourselves.” He stood up from his chair, placed his arms behind his back, and began walking toward the soldier.

  “Starting tomorrow, a new day will be brought to the city, and I will be there to greet her with open arms,” he explained to his soldier, and began laughing with glee and excitement at the very thought of running the city. His initial plans were micro—running the organization and owning the casino. Thanks to Anthony’s vision, my plans have grown tenfold. Why own just a small portion of this concrete jungle, a small piece of the pie, when I can own and run this entire city?

  “Go ahead, I will meet you downstairs in the garage,” Mr. Griggs ordered.

  “Yes, sir,” the soldier replied and exited the office.

  “Mr. Sullivan, you are in charge in my absence. I’m sure you can handle any issues that may arise until I return, right?”

  “Yes, sir,” the newly appointed casino manager replied. “Everything will be just fine until your return,” he reassured his boss.

  Mr. Griggs grabbed his coat and hat and put them on. He gave one final look out the window that overlooked the entire casino floor, then turned back toward Mr. Sullivan. “When I return, a new era will begin.”

  ***

  Two black cars left the parking structure of the Crimson Tiger. Their destination was Goodsprings, Nevada. Unbeknownst to the eight men heading south to Goodsprings, there was a third vehicle shadowing them. As the two cars pulled out ahead of him, the driver in the third vehicle grabbed his pen and notebook from his pocket and began scribbling in it.

  “July 18, 1977

  Mr. Griggs and eight men riding in two vehicles seen leaving Crimson Tiger heading south. Will follow and monitor closely.”

  The driver of the vehicle closed his book and started his car. Let’s hope I’m right, he thought as he began following the two cars out of the city and into the desert.

  Chapter 14

  John drove and kept driving. He drove throughout the long night. After crossing through Goodsprings, he kept driving east. I’ll drive to the sunrise, he thought as he watched the sun peaking over the
horizon. The radiant rays of the sun felt good on his face as they pierced through the windshield. The night had been a cold one, and John was angry and ashamed. He had failed in avenging his mother’s death and in righting all of his father’s wrongdoings; he was defeated. His anger had subsided by this point, after the hours of driving. I'll keep going until this thing runs out of gas, he thought. There's nothing left for me back in Goodsprings; there's nothing left for me anywhere I go. I have no home.

  “All that I have is you,” he said to the dark red gem that hung around his necklace. “Sorry, Mom, I've let you down. I told you I was going to avenge your death, and I ran away like a dog with his tail between his legs. This is supposed to be a sign of courage. I'm not worthy to wear this.” In disgust, he ripped off the necklace and flung it to the floor of the station wagon.

  As the warm and comforting sun shot rays throughout the vehicle, he started to become tired. The once hotheaded, revenge-seeking, child felt sleepy. The adrenaline that had helped keep him up all night had finally subsided, and his eyes started to become heavy. The hours of driving began to take a toll. Maybe I can pull over and close my eyes just for a little while before I continue moving. Albert or Carmine or whatever the hell his name really is won't find me out here. I'll pull over there by that gas station and close my eyes for a little while, and when I awake I'll continue my journey to wherever the road takes me.

  John parked in the corner of the gas station. A few cars littered the small lot of the standalone gas station—a stopgap between Goodsprings and the next closest town, wherever that might be.

  John rolled down the windows and allowed a warm, comforting breeze to fill the car. Ah, this will help me get some sleep. He reclined his seat and closed his eyes. The last thought that came into his mind before he dozed off was his mother. Sorry, Mom, he thought. I've failed you.

  ***

  Detective John Davis opened his eyes. He was no longer at the Home Hotel. He was back in the dark, secluded room with the single metal chair and dim light. He looked around. What am I doing here? I faced my demons and I freed my mother. I've solved the case of her death….