The Birth of an Assassin

by Tony Bertot

  “I must be more careful with this one,” she thought to herself.

  Over the next few weeks, Harold Kaiser would befriend young Theo Gresco in his attempt to get closer to Lucia. Cautious and watchful for Lucia and Angelina, Herr Kaiser would give Theo chocolate and show him things. On a few occasions, he showed him how to shoot his Luger, which was the standard German pistol. Though, Theo was now only nine years old, Herr Kaiser was astonished to see how quickly he adjusted to the weapon, and only after a few lessons became accurate.

  “Just aim and shoot,” was what he told Theo as they practiced hitting the side of a tree.

  For Theo it was like taking pictures. Had he had a gun instead of a camera the men who killed his father would be dead, he thought to himself that night as he laid in bed. As young as Theo was, not once did he let his guard down with Kaiser. In fact, after a while, Kaiser became fond of the boy and looked forward to their time together. It was during one of these times that Theo asked Kaiser if he had ever killed another man. Kaiser responded by telling him that it was his duty to kill the enemies of his country and it was justifiable. Theo listened intently to what Kaiser told him and in his young mind justified to himself killing was not wrong if done for the right reason. It was during this exchange that Theo told Kaiser, to his astonishment, if he had a gun he would have killed the men who killed his father.

  As Kaiser gained Theo’s trust, Theo divulged more and more to him about how his father died. He confider how they left America and came here to his grandparents’ home. Though Theo had been told not to say anything to strangers about where he came from or under what circumstances he arrived to Sicily, Theo felt this did not include Herr Kaiser as he had become a friend and could be trusted. For almost six months Herr Kaiser worked with Theo, seeing him on the average of three times a week. Theo became proficient in firing the Luger P08, Walther P38, and the Mauser HSC handguns. Herr Kaiser was becoming fond of the boy and was amazed with his ability to learn and adapt to any weapon he showed him. Within six months, Theo graduated to rifles and though young, his adaptability from handguns to rifles was effortless. Herr Kaiser was amazed with Theo's proficiency, wondering if there was any firearm this boy could not shoot.

  The first time he fired a rifle it knocked him on his butt. Nevertheless, Theo was determined, all the time thinking, aim and shoot. Within a short period, Theo went through a Gewehr 43, Mauser Karabiner 98k, and a Sturmgewehr 44 rifle with little effort. It was now almost six months since Kaiser had started teaching Theo how to shoot, when he brought with him a Gewehr 43 (scoped) sniper rifle for Theo to try. At first, it was difficult to hold the large nine pound weapon but after a couple of rounds, Theo fell in love with this instrument of death. Theo would brace himself against a tree or lay down on the ground wrapping cloth around his hands and the weapon to steady it. He went from a few days a week to almost an entire week of practice with the sniper rifle. Herr Kaiser was sure this training would pay off in dividends when the time came.

  Time is something Herr Kaiser didn’t have.

  Equality for All

  Washington DC

  It had been almost six months since a fatal accident took the life of Anzio Giordano; which was the furthest thing from his mind as James O’Shea was running to another meeting with two other Congressmen on legislation to institute the rationing of aluminum in support of the war.

  “Congressman O’Shea, Congressman is it true about your son,” shouted a reporter as the Congressman hurried through the hallways of Congress.

  “What about my son?” the Congressman asked annoyed.

  “He was involved in an accident on Long Island and was picked up for being drunk behind the wheel. Almost killed someone,” shouted another reporter.

  “What?” the Congressman almost blurted out.

  “I don’t know what you are talking about. I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding,” Congressman said to them.

  Within a minute, he was back in his office calling his house.

  “What’s going on, Shannon?” he hollered into the phone.

  “Oh James, Michael has been involved in another accident. Don’t worry this time no one was hurt. They reported he was driving while intoxicated,” his wife explained to him.

  “Where is he right now?” asked the Congressman.

  “He’s being detained in the local police station. I called our lawyer and he called back telling us not to worry, he would be released shortly. They said he should be home by this afternoon and he was only going to be fined,” she told her husband.

  “Ok. Tell him to stay home until I get back.”

  After the meeting, the Congressman, to avoid any reporters, took a private flight from DC to a nearby airstrip on Long Island. From there he drove straight to his home in Dix Hills.

  “Where is he?” the Congressman shouted as he entered the house.

  Michael was coming down the stairs when he heard his father’s shouts.

  “Dad, it was nothing. It was a misunderstanding. I didn’t have anything to drink. They happened to find an open bottle in my car and assumed I was drinking. That’s all,” Michael shouted to his father.

  “You expect me to believe that? What, killing that old man wasn’t enough for you? Shit, are you that stupid? Why should I believe you?” he shouted up to him.

  “Cause it’s the truth, Dad. I swear it. It’s not like the other time. I wasn’t drinking this time,” Michael shouted back.

  Shannon walked into the room in time to hear the encounter.

  “Stop it!” she shouted at both of them.

  “So what did the cops say?” the Congressman asked him a little calmer.

  “James, listen to your son,” she told her husband.

  “Dad, they apologized to me. They said it was a mistake. That someone tipped them off and that’s why they pulled me over. Dad, someone planted that bottle in my car. I swear.”

  “What? What are you telling me, someone tried to frame you?” the Congressman said lowering his voice.

  “Yeah, Dad, someone is out to get me,” his son said in a low voice.

  “Our lawyer said not to worry about it. That the cops are going to apologize publicly tomorrow morning. They’re going to say that it was all a misunderstanding,” Michael added.

  “A misunderstanding, huh? I should sue their asses,” the Congressman said.

  “Dad, don’t worry about it. I’ll be more careful from now on,” Michael responded.

  The next morning the police department issued a statement exonerating Michael O’Shea from any wrongdoing.

  Two weeks later, there was a heavy knock on the Congressman’s door.

  Shannon O’Shea was surprised to see Captain Frances Dempsey, Officer Patrick Gruelich, their lawyer, two detectives and an FBI agent standing on their front porch.

  “Mrs. O’Shea is your son here?” asked the FBI agent.

  “Why, yes. He’s upstairs. What’s this all about?” she asked them.

  “Please ask him to come downstairs,” they ordered.

  “I will not!” she shouted, outraged.

  “James, come down here right now,” she shouted up to her husband.

  The Congressman came rushing down the stairs with his son a few steps behind him.

  “What the hell is going on here?” he shouted to them.

  “We have a warrant for your son’s arrest,” Officer Gruelich said.

  As Michael came within reach Captain Dempsey grabbed him, began handcuffing him while reading him his rights.

  “Stop it. There was no accident. They said it was all a mistake,” shouted Mrs. O’Shea.

  “Madam your son is under arrest for vehicular manslaughter and for leaving the scene of an accident,” Officer Gruelich told her.

  “What are you talking about?” asked the Congressman.

  “There were witnesses and there is proof that my son was nowhere near the accident,” the Congressman challenged.

  “Congressman O’Shea, I am FBI agent Todd Copr
essi and I have a warrant for your arrest for witness tampering, bribery and obstruction of justice. Please come with me,” the agent said as he pulled out a set of handcuffs and reached for the Congressman.

  Mrs. O’Shea stood there with her mouth opened wide, not believing what she was hearing. Her lawyer was by her side trying to comfort her.

  “But, but. I don’t understand,” she said.

  “The witnesses who testified earlier recanted their statements. They were bribed by your husband to lie. Additionally, a police officer has been suspended for falsifying papers claiming that your son’s car had been stolen. Lastly, the newspapers obtained a recording and it’s all over the front pages,” agent Copressi told her.

  “What? What recording?” asked the Congressman.

  Captain Dempsey pulled out a tape recorder and pushed play.

  They all remained silent as they clearly heard Michael and his father shouting at each other:

  “Dad it was nothing. There was a misunderstanding. I didn’t have anything to drink. They happened to find an open bottle in my car and they assumed I was drinking. That’s all.”

  “You expect me to believe that? What, killing that old man wasn’t enough for you? Shit, are you that stupid? Why should I believe you?”

  “Cause it’s the truth, Dad. I swear it. It’s not like the other time. I wasn’t drinking this time.”

  You could have heard a pin drop. Both the Congressman and his son stared at the tape recorder with fear. Shannon tried to grab the tape from the Captain who quickly turned to avoid her launch.

  “Mrs. O’Shea, may I suggest you restrain yourself before we decide to have you arrested as well,” the agent told her.

  “This is entrapment,” screamed the Congressman.

  “Take them away,” said Captain Dempsey as they paraded out the door to the frenzied shouts of reporters who had gathered to witness the arrest of the Congressman and his son.

  Fazio watched the news with amusement as the reporter announced the arrest of the Congressman and his son.

  “This just in, Congressman James O’Shea of New York and his son, Michael, have been arrested on charges of vehicular manslaughter, driving while under the influence, tampering with official papers and witness tampering. It appears the witnesses who originally testified to the whereabouts of the Congressman’s son during an accident when reputed mobster Anzio Giordano was killed, have recanted their original statements. The witnesses advised the Attorney General’s office they had been bribed to support the whereabouts of Michael O’Shea. Also under investigation is a police officer who is accused of falsifying a report supporting the Congressman’s claim his son’s car had been stolen prior to the accident,” the newscaster reported.

  “In another twist to the Congressman’s life; it has been reported his wife, Shannon O’Shea, has filed for divorce after learning her husband had been seeing other women. Several women have come forward stating the Congressman had affairs with them. Some of these women are known prostitutes from the DC area,” he went on to say.

  Fazio stood and walked over to his daughter’s bedroom, where she lay sleeping, and stared at her for a few seconds. Down the hall, his grandmother slept in another room.

  When he approached Ricardo Gallo and Sal Manetti about his plan, they thought he was out of his mind. Nevertheless, as he laid it out for them it became clear that Fazio thought about everything. His knowledge in the use of the latest eavesdropping equipment and his logical approach to the problem ensured a full proof case against the Congressman. The involvement of the prostitutes was Sal’s idea, a twist that would tarnish the Congressman’s reputation even further. The wife turning against him was an added bonus.

  An eye for eye thought Fazio.

  This sealed the Congressman’s fate and opened the door for Fazio to enter the world his grandfather tried so hard to shield him from, a door that eventually would seal his fate and that of his children.

  A Nail in Harold Kaiser’s Coffin

  Palermo/Sicily

  Herr Kaiser watched from his second floor vantage point as Angelina Gresco left the bakery for whereabouts unknown. He had noticed that over the last six months she had been leaving on the average of once every two weeks. At first, he did not think anything of it, suspecting she was merely going shopping. After a while however, he started noticing that she never returned with any packages or grocery bags. Suspecting something was amiss he had advised Garrit Hoffmann, his command leader, of his suspicions. Garrit ordered she be followed the next time she ventured out on one of her excursions. Thus, Herr Kaiser was not surprised when he noticed one of his men, dressed in civilian clothing, discreetly following her today.

  During this period, the bombings from the Allied forces had intensified over Sicily. There were rampant rumors the Allies would be mounting an attack on Sicily any day now. However, the rumors were unfounded and quickly dispelled, as evidence of bombings in Italy and other parts of Europe were also being reported. Regardless of the rumors, the Germans and Italians had no illusions that the attack would come. To add to the anxiety and concern were the pockets of resistance aimed at the Germans cropping up in little neighborhoods of Sicily.

  As Angelina made her way through the back streets of her native land, she was unaware of the German soldier in civilian attire, following a few meters behind her. She was also unaware of her own Countryman who was watching her movement and that of the German following her. When she reached her destination, she was surprised when her husband told her she could no longer return to the bakery. Unknown to her was the abduction and elimination of the German who had been following her.

  Herr Kaiser watched as the bakery opened and customers began to file in for their morning breakfast of bread with coffee or tea. He had stepped away from his perch for several minutes, as nature called, and was unaware Angelina had not returned. As he did every morning, he ventured out to the bakery to get his breakfast and a glance at the beautiful Lucia.

  Standing in line behind a couple of Sicilians he noticed Lucia behind the counter serving the customers; a duty usually performed by her mother-in-law, Angelina.

  “Good morning, Fraulein,” said Herr Kaiser.

  “Good morning, Herr Kaiser,” Lucia said smiling not to bring suspicion that anything was wrong.

  “What can I get for you today?” she asked him.

  “Some warm bread which I will have with my tea,” he responded.

  “Where is your mother?” he asked her.

  “I believe she is out shopping for some of the items we are running short of,” Lucia told him.

  “Ah, I see,” he responded.

  Herr Kaiser took his tea and bread, went over to one of the tables, and sat. Theo passed him as he was collecting and cleaning one of the nearby tables. Theo smiled at him and continued on. After about fifteen minutes, Herr Kaiser got up, left the bakery, and returned to the command post.

  “Herr Hoffman. Has your soldier returned from his little adventure this morning?” Kaiser asked his command leader.

  “Nein, Ich habe ihn nicht gesehen,” Herr Hoffman answered.

  “So, you have not seen him?” Herr Kaiser went on.

  “Ja,” Herr Hoffman said nodding.

  Herr Kaiser was not a man to waste time and suspected something was wrong. He immediately left and went directly to the Italian authorities to report a missing soldier and to inform them he believed Mrs. Angelina Gresco was also missing.

  If it were up to him, he would have dragged Lucia out onto the street and had her shot in front of everyone as a warning to anyone suspected of treason, but only after he had had his way with her.

  The Italian authorities said they would look into the matter; however, they advised Herr Kaiser there was probably no reason for concern. Herr Kaiser did not agree and urged expediency. They promised to look into the disappearance as soon as possible.

  Returning to the command post Kaiser went straight to Heinrich Wolf, the Senior Action Leader, and commanded that
he take immediate steps to find the missing soldier.

  Herr Kaiser was heading back to the bakery when Theo appeared in front of him.

  “What is wrong Herr Kaiser?” Theo asked him.

  “Nothing, Theo,” Kaiser responded.

  Kaiser went back into the command post, pulled out several sniper rifles, and urged Theo to follow. He took Theo to the firing range and instructed a nearby soldier to watch over the boy while he took care of an errand. Leaving the boy with the soldier, Kaiser left and headed to the bakery. By this time, the bakery was closed for the morning. The front door had not been locked yet and Kaiser, ignoring the closed sign, walked right in. Two people were behind the counter and did not notice him when he came in. Not seeing Angelina or Lucia, he headed for the entryway leading to the back of the shop. As he entered, he noticed the stairway leading upstairs and went up. At the top of the stairs, he saw Lucia emerging from a back room.

  “What are you doing here? Get out right now,” she commanded him.

  He was entranced with how beautiful she looked and ignoring her, walked right up to her and grabbed her. Pinning one of her arms behind her back and holding her close to him he inquired as to the whereabouts of her mother-in-law. He found her irresistible. Not having had a woman this close to him in a long time was overwhelming, in a second had pushed her into the back room, and fell atop her on the bed. Scrambling to pull her clothes off he punched her in the face as she tried to scream and resist him. Lucia once again tried to scream but he flung himself upon her and covered her mouth. She desperately tried to push him off but was too weak and overcome by his sheer strength. After a few minutes, she stopped struggling as he had his way with her. When it was over, he laid atop her gasping for air. He got up and looked down at her smiling.

  “That wasn’t so bad. Was it?” he gloated.

  She stared back at him through teary eyes, saying nothing. As he turned to walk away, she reached for a pair of scissors lying on a table close to the bed and attacked him, stabbing him from behind. He screamed in pain, turned and punched her, sending her reeling to the floor. With the scissors still clutched in her hands, she got up and attacked again. Herr Kaiser reached for his luger and shot her twice. Lucia dropped to the floor dead.