by Tony Bertot
“How are you doing, young man?” he asked him.
“Fine, sir,” Theo responded.
“What can I do for you?” Benito asked him.
“I was wondering if you could look at a couple of pictures and tell me if you know any of the people,” Theo asked.
“Sure, let me see them,” Benito said.
Theo handed him all the pictures and watched as he look through them. Benito scanned each picture intently before moving on to the next one. When he was done, he handed them back to Theo.
“The girl in the picture with Carmine was the girl he was with the day of the bombing. As for the two men, I don’t know them and have never seen them before. The boy with you is Nick Costello, son of Anzio Costello, who was killed about two years ago. Haven’t seen much of Nick since,” Benito told Theo.
“Theo can’t you put this behind you?” Benito asked him.
Theo could see the genuine concern in Benito’s face.
“No, I can’t,” Theo responded.
Benito nodded putting a hand on Theo’s right shoulder and said,
“I loved your father as if he was my own brother. We had many good times together. Please come over again tonight and join us for dinner, there is something I need to tell you. Right now, I have to get back to work. I will see you later, ok?” he asked Theo.
Theo nodded yes and turned to walk away.
“Theo,” someone shouted.
Theo looked up and saw Ana Randazzo at the entryway to the shop with Sylvia pushing the wheelchair. He saw Sonia look up and greet them from her sitting position. She turned and seeing Theo, also greeted him with a big smile. They all gathered next to Sonia where Ana asked them all to join her for lunch. Theo was about to walk out when Sylvia blocked his departure by standing in front of him.
“And where are you going?” she asked him.
“Umm... I was going back to my apartment,” he responded.
“Why? Didn’t you hear Mrs. Randazzo invite you to lunch?” she asked him with a big smile on her face.
“I thought she only meant Sonia and you,” he replied.
“Ana, is Theo invited to lunch with us?” Sylvia asked Ana.
“Of course he is,” Ana replied.
“Come let’s go,” Ana commanded.
With that, Theo took command of the wheelchair and left with the women. They hung a right as they exited the store and were now walking south on South Wabash. As they reached the corner, Theo looked back at his father’s old shop and felt a weight on his heart as he passed. At the corner as they waited for the light, Ana asked Theo if he liked Spanish food. Theo responded with an ‘I guess so’ and off they went.
Half a block later they went into a restaurant called the Spanish Kitchen where the owner, who happened to know Ana and the women accompanying her, greeted them.
“Senor Gonzalez this young man is a good friend of ours. His name is Theo and he has never had Spanish food before so you want to treat him extra special,” Ana told the proprietor.
“Pleased to meet you, Theo. I am Alberto Gonzalez but you can call me Albert. Is that ok?” he asked Theo shaking hands with him.
Theo stared at the man for a second, shook his hand and nodded, not saying anything.
After being seated, they ordered arroz con polo and a few tostones. Sylvia tried on occasion to bring Theo into their conversations but his one-answer responses were more than a challenge for her. For the most part Theo sat there and listened to the women’s conversation occasionally looking around at the people in the restaurant.
Of no interest to the women, Theo had summarized that there were 18 women and 34 men seated, four women and three men serving, and during their stay seven more customers arrived and three takeout orders were filled. More importantly was two of the men seated were carrying holstered weapons. Theo deduced from their mannerism they are involved with law enforcement.
When in Sicily, Theo approached his grandfather about what had happened to his father and what his plans were to avenge his death. His Grandfather tried in vain to persuade him from going down that path. There had been enough killings. But Theo was determined and nothing his grandfather said would sway him.
“Grandpa, God gave me this ability to shoot. If not to punish those who kill papa, then for what? Many would have died had I not killed those men who tried to come here. Is this not true?” he asked his Grandfather.
“God does not condone the killing of anyone! Yes, it is true that those men came to kill us and you stopped them. Now you are going out to kill someone. Does that not make you as bad as them?” he asked his grandson.
Theo stared at him for a few seconds before answering.
“I promise not to kill without mercy. To give them the chance they did not give my father. Would that be alright with you?” Theo asked his grandfather.
“Theo, if your heart is true and you honestly give them a chance to redeem themselves. Then and only then can you inflict your own brand of justice. But remember for what you do you will eventually pay the price. Do you understand that?” his grandfather asked him.
“No. What do you mean?” asked Theo.
“You do not have the right to take another person’s life and if you do you too will have to pay at the end. It is the law of life,” his grandfather told him.
With that said, Theo’s grandfather began to teach Theo everything he knew about keeping his business to himself, about moving about unnoticed and about scouting the movements of the person he was tracking. The war taught Fernando how to be cautious when dealing with the enemy and how to move among his people while gathering intelligence. He passed as much as he could to Theo who absorbed everything like a dry sponge.
“Theo, are you full?” Sylvia asked him.
“Theo, are you there?” Sylvia asked him again nudging him.
Theo came out of these thoughts and looked up at her. Once again, he found himself staring at her beautiful green eyes.
“What?” he asked her.
“Are you full? How did you like the food?” she asked him.
“It was good, thank you,” he replied.
When finished, Theo positioned himself once again behind Ana and took command of the wheelchair. As they left the premises, Mr. Gonzalez walked them out bidding them farewell and thanking them for coming. They turned left and headed back towards the butcher shop. As they were walking, Sylvia engaged Theo in a conversation about his plans for dinner that evening.
“Mr. Randazzo has invited me to dinner,” he told her.
“Really?” Ana asked.
“Sylvia, what did you have in mind?” asked Ana.
“Well I was going to invite Theo to have dinner with me. We could go to a restaurant or have dinner at my apartment with my Mom,” Sylvia told Ana.
“What do you think about that, Theo?” Ana asked him.
“I don’t know. Wouldn’t Mr. Randazzo be upset with me if I don’t show up?” he asked them.
“No he would not, especially if you are going to be with Sylvia,” Ana responded.
“Would you like to join me?” Sylvia asked Theo.
“I guess so,” Theo responded.
“You guess so?” Sylvia said mocking him.
“Yes, I guess so,” he responded once again.
They all started to laugh though Theo didn’t see the humor.
“Then, it’s settled. You’ll come to my apartment tonight at around 6:30pm. Is that ok?” Sylvia asked him.
“Yes. I’ll be there. Thank you,” Theo responded.
“You’re welcome, Theo,” Sylvia said and once again, everyone laughed.
A Warning
Queens/Long Island/New York
Three weeks since Al Giovanna was released
Fazio Giordano learned long ago never to take anything for granted. He knew Al Giovanna would be coming after them for sending him to prison. He always wondered why they didn’t come after them sooner and realized that it was Al who was the brains behind the outfit and they w
ould not make a move without his ok. He also knew while Al Giovanna was behind bars in a federal penitentiary, it would be difficult for him to get any orders out. Everyone knew nothing was sacred in a federal prison. But now he was out and things would change. Should we strike first? Should we wait?
These thoughts and questions raced through Fazio’s mind. He did not doubt he and his family were now in danger. He had put them in harm’s way and now he had to act soon, before it was too late.
With that in mind, Fazio decided to call a meeting with Sal Manetti.
Upon receiving a call from Fazio, Sal Manetti contacted three of his key men and met Fazio at a small Hampton Bay restaurant called The Catch. Sal brought with him Leo Russo, Erin Romano and John De Luca.
Fazio had always dealt with either Sal Manetti or Ricardo Gallo. The institutionalization of Ricardo Gallo forced Sal Manetti to recruit others to help run the organization. A suggestion made by Fazio himself, some two years ago.
Fazio was at the restaurant when the four men arrived.
“Gentlemen, I want you to meet Mr. Fazio Giordano,” said Sal Manetti.
“Please to meet you Mr. Giordano,” said Leo Russo as he shook Fazio’s hand.
“Mr. Giordano,” Erin Romano said nodding his head.
“Real pleasure, sir,” said John De Luca also shaking Fazio’s hand.
They all sat and waited for Fazio to start. Sal did not want anyone to think he was in charge and wanted the men to see Fazio as the capo of the family. Something Fazio did not realize at the time.
Realizing the ball was in his court, Fazio laid out a plan. In order to better position themselves to know what Al Giovanna was planning, Fazio proposed using their men already located in Chicago and New York to monitor both Bolnaldo and the Giovanna families. All activities were to be reported to Sal, who in turn would advise Fazio. Of immediate concern was the realization that the Bolnaldo family had grown increasingly independent of the Giovanna family and already taken steps to sever their relationship.
“This is not to our advantage as Bolnaldo is unpredictable and could catch us off guard,” said Fazio.
As the meeting adjourned and the men headed for the door, Fazio asked,
“Sal, can I see you a minute, alone.”
Sal turned around and came back to the table.
“What’s going on here?” Fazio asked him.
“What do you mean?” Sal asked.
“It’s not normal for these men to take orders from an outsider. Something doesn’t seem right,” Fazio commented.
“Well, they know of your reputation and they have learned to respect your decisions and ideas,” Sal responded.
Sal was thinking as fast as he could, trying to keep from telling Fazio that he, in fact, was the presumed head of this crime family.
“Goodbye, Mr. Giordano. Have a great day.” Sal said as he walked away.
Fazio stared at Sal as he walked away and wondered what was tugging at him. What was it Sal Manetti was not saying?
The fate of the Fazio family would soon change and take a new direction - a direction that became an undeniable destiny, in spite of his grandfather’s hopes and plans.
Bolnaldo Sends a Message
Long Island/New York
After his conversation with Al Giovanna, Bolnaldo promised to come to Chicago after the New Year; being too busy to accommodate him at this time. Though Giovanna’s son and the other lieutenants saw this as a form of disrespect, Al Giovanna did not agree and dismissed it as Bolnaldo trying to show his discontent. The Sabrisio brothers wanted to put a hit on a couple of Bolnaldo’s lieutenants as a warning to Bolnaldo. But Al Giovanna ordered them to back off and not take Bolnaldo’s action as serious.
Bolnaldo on the other hand had grown so strong and confident he no longer feared the Giovanna family and to prove it he ordered a hit on Ricardo Gallo without consulting them. Though Clemente Marino, Bolnaldo’s chief advisor, opposed the hit, stating not only would it result in an all out war with the Giordano family but may alienate the Giovanna Family, as well. It was a risk Bolnaldo was willing to take.
Ricardo Gallo
December 6th/Long Island
On December 6th, the anniversary of the attack by the Giovanna Family on the Giordano Family, a lone gunman walked into the Alderwoods Nursing home on Long Island and put a bullet into Ricardo Gallo’s head. The body was discovered after an orderly came to bring him his daily meds. The surveillance video showed a man dressed in a doctor’s uniform entering his room around 7:00am. Further investigation found no doctor signed in that day.
The Alderwoods Nursing Home, fearing the negative publicity, was able to work with the police in keeping the incident from being broadcast by the media. As a result, the hit on Ricardo Gallo received no public exposure.
Bolnaldo became both angry and impatient as he waited for the news about Ricardo Gallo’s execution and though the hit man insisted the job was successfully executed, he had no way to prove it.
Sal Manetti, being listed as the Ricardo Gallo’s only contact, had been called. He, in turn, advised Fazio and the rest of his lieutenants. Bodyguards were sent to Fazio’s home as well as to the homes of other members of their organization. Sal ordered they all go underground until further notice.
Upset with the arrival of bodyguards at his home, Fazio tried to call Sal Manetti but was not able to reach him. Fabio and Felicia were alarmed to find a bodyguard sitting in a car in front of their home. They rushed inside and found their father trying to explain it to Tami, his girlfriend.
“What do you mean they’re here to protect you? Protect you from what? Fazio, exactly what is it you do?” she asked.
“I am a consultant to a crime family,” he answered.
“What? You’re what? What kind of a consultant?” she went on asking.
“I give them advice on how to handle certain situations,” he told her.
“You’re in a crime family? You’re a member of a crime family. Is that what you are telling me? Don’t they go around killing people? Aren’t they into drugs and prostitution and all that stuff?” she was now asking while at the same time shouting.
“It’s not what you think. It’s not like that!” Fazio shouted back.
Felicia and Fabio both walked in and tried to calm Tami down.
“Tami, it’s his job. You don’t understand. Dad, couldn’t get any work because they blacklisted him for bringing charges against the man who killed grandfather. That’s how he got into this. He had no choice.” Felicia shouted at Tami.
“What! Who killed your grandfather?” she shouted back at Felicia.
“It’s a long story,” Fazio interceded.
“Ok, everyone calm down,” Fabio shouted.
They all turned to him and stopped, realizing they were all speaking in a voice to make themselves heard over each other.
Tami looked at Fazio and then at the kids.
“You know about this?” she asked the kids.
“Yes, Dad told us what was going on,” Felicia replied as Fabio nodded yes.
“Didn’t you know you were endangering yourself as well as the kids?’ she asked him.
“I guess I wasn’t thinking,” he told her.
“I guess not,” she replied.
The room went quiet as Tami grabbed her coat and raised her hand to ward off Fazio as he tried to approach her.
“I have to go. I need time to think. I’ll call you later,” she told them.
With that, she walked out of the house.
“What’s going on Dad?” Fabio asked him.
“A member of Sal’s crime syndicate was killed yesterday and Sal is afraid we might be a target,” Fazio told them.
“Dad, you don’t really think they would come after us, do you?” Felicia asked.
“I don’t see any reason why they would and I’m trying to contact Sal Manetti to find out why he sent two bodyguards to our house,” Fazio told them.
“Sal doesn’t always think about what h
e is doing,” Fazio told them.
“Well there must be a reason why he would think they would come after us,” Felicia said.
“Yeah, that’s what worries me,” Fazio said.
“Well until we find out what’s going on I need you two to stay close. Understand?” he asked them.
“Sure, Pop, no problem,” Fabio said.
“Ok, Dad,” Felicia answered knowing she was only saying that not to worry him.
Ships Passing in the Night
South Wabash/Chicago
At around 6:15pm, Nick Costellino, Joseph Bolano, Theodore Enzinola and Emilio Sabrisio rode north on South Wabash and parked at the corner of South Wabash and 11th street. As they exited the car, Nick stared at the sign that now read High Spirits. Without hesitation or acknowledging he knew the place, he followed the others into the liquor store.
They passed a couple of customers who were in the store as they worked their way to the back. Standing at the back door was Joey Mecca, who opened the door for them as they approached. Inside the room they found four men sitting at a large table counting money as another man was placing bundles of cash in a canvas bag.
After introducing the men to those present Emilio Sabrisio said,
“You men will be responsible for picking up the bags and taking them to our main location. Are there any questions?”
There were no questions so they left the way they came and got back into the car. Now continuing North on Wabash they went into a furniture store, also owned by their organization. Similar to the liquor store, there were also four men here counting money. After the introductions, they received identical instructions, to stop here as well to pick up the loot. After a few more stops, they returned to the headquarters. As they drove back down Wabash, Theo Gresco just exited his apartment building and happened to look to his right as their car passed. Nick was looking out of the side window when he saw Theo. They stared at each other as their eyes met. Though Nick nodded and Theo nodded back in acknowledgment, no open gesture was made and no one took notice. The lessons of the streets had taught these young men to be discreet.