Clay opened the desk drawer, picked up the 9mm pistol and walked over to where Joey was sitting. Placing the gun against the back of Joey’s head he clicked the safety off and said quietly, “If you ever talk down to me again, in front of anyone or not, I’ll kill you on the spot.”
Placing his left hand on Joey’s shoulder, and without moving the gun, he calmly continued, “You and I each have roles in this; we compliment each other well in what we are capable of. Be patient and you will soon get to do your part; or I’ll do it without you, it’s your choice.”
Moving the gun away from Joey’s head he clicked the safety back on, moved back to his chair and continued, “Right now I need you to see how many people are watching the hospital and where they are located. Again, get any descriptions: car make, model, color, license plate numbers, or what ever there is to identify these people. I need to know exactly where they are, when they change shifts, what they eat, where they park, if they fall asleep, everything, even if it seems unimportant. You'll probably know some of these people, but we have to identify them and learn who is at the top. Have the cameraman take pictures of the people doing the watching if possible. There will be a time very soon when everyone who joined this bunch will be dealt with.”
“Now, tell me more about the attempt to hit you? When and where did it happen?"
“Over on Second Street just past Burris, put a slug through both front windows and just missed my nose.”
“You need to keep several men with you at all times from now on. And, perhaps your wife and kids should stay away from the house for the next couple of weeks until this is over.”
Joey looked up at this young man he had passed off as just an outsider, only hanging on to Tony’s family because of his past friendship with Jimmy. There was something more than just childhood friendship driving the respect and confidence both Tony and Anna had for this guy. Joey decided he had better keep his mouth shut and watch out for this one until he understood better what he was dealing with. He knew he had just had a close brush with death, and it was very sobering, even to him. The kid had a calm stone cold look in his eyes. A look as cold as he had ever seen; and he had met some cold blooded killers over the years.
When Joey had left, Clay thought about what he had said to him in response to his defiant outburst. The reply had been calm and collected, and he knew deep in his soul he really meant every word of his threat. He wondered what had changed in his emotional and mental makeup to enable him to even verbalize such a reply. And, more than just the uttering of such a threat on the life of another person, acceptance of the knowledge the threat was not idle posturing, but a promise he could fulfill in a heartbeat and without regret. He hadn’t previously thought of himself as a particularly violent individual; yet in the span of two and one half years he had killed two people and would create a plan to kill many, many more. The actual life taking would depend on the actions of others, but he alone would have total responsibility for the bloodshed. The only uneasiness he had in the entire matter was the knowledge he could live with it and feel no remorse. His inner being, maybe the thing people call a conscience or a soul was telling him what he was about to do was terribly wrong, but somehow he could over ride the feeling and continue planning the details to make it happen.
Anna entered the office to tell him she had taken the liberty of ordering new clothing for him since it appeared he would be staying with them for several weeks. She had checked his clothing for sizes while he slept the previous evening and everything, including shoes, underwear, and jackets were in his room.
That evening Clay escorted Anna to the funeral home to attend the visitation for Tito Valenti. Anna’s father and mother had insisted on attending also, since they knew Tito and his family from the old days. Most of Tony’s crew attended in defiance of the unknown attackers. Fearing a gang war on their property the funeral home had asked for and received police surveillance during the visitation. Arrangements were made for Anna and her parents to be escorted to the graveyard to attend the funeral service the following morning. He and Joey would be too busy to accompany them.
Chapter 7
On Friday morning Clay and the people he had requested were on the street waiting for the Russian collectors to appear. He had enlisted the help of two Russian speaking hookers, who Joey said could be trusted, and four of the youngest and better disciplined men in Tony’s group. They were scattered along the street and had strict orders not to engage the Russians; just observe them and listen for any information. A camera with a long range lens was set up in an apartment across the street from the store where Joey had extracted the information from the owner. Three cars manned with drivers were waiting to follow the collectors when they left Haverity Street.
At 1:30 p.m. a three year old dark blue Lincoln Continental backed into a parking space down the street. Three men got out and briskly walked to the hardware store. All strode confidently while talking in a guttural foreign language. They went into the store and the old woman paid them. They stood and listened while she explained to them her husband was gone to return some hardware items damaged in shipment because he needed the replacements right away. The collectors reminded her they would return the following Friday at the same time, and both of them had better stay in line. The collectors stopped at several other stores on the street to pick up money, then walked back to the Lincoln and left.
When the Russian collectors headed for their car, Clay cut through a walkway between two buildings and got in one of the cars to follow them. Clay’s drivers had mobile radios with a two mile range in the city, and began switching cars often enough not to be noticed. The Russians made several more collection stops in another neighborhood, and drove to an area dominated by old factories and warehouses. The Lincoln entered through a double gate in an old rusty fence and went back to a brick warehouse building. Another late model sedan was parked outside the warehouse and a large overhead door was open at the south end of the building. One man was at the corner of the building where he could see the entrance, apparently a guard on watch duty. Clay sent the other two cars on to an empty store building Tony owned, where he would meet later with Joey. He had his driver cruise the area while he made notes and sketches of the features he saw.
Joey and the rest of people who had been on the street were at the meeting place when Clay got there. The film was being developed and would arrive shortly. Clay learned from the other people who had been on the street the three men were all armed with pistols stuck in their pants pockets, and one wore a brass knuckle on his right hand, right out in the open. The whores had followed them separately and overheard them say their boss was not pleased since learning the Big Dago was still alive. He needed to be out of the way for them to completely take over the whole area. But since they hadn’t encountered any resistance, maybe there was not anyone to back him up. Joey bristled at the statement and muttered something under his breath, but managed to hold his tongue.
Clay thanked the drivers and all the other people, paid them each one hundred dollars, and dismissed everyone except Joey.
To Joey he said “The man we want was not on the street today, so I’m not concerned with seeing the film yet.” He laid out a tablet of notebook paper and sketched the location of the Russian hideout and pointed out an old abandoned building across the street from it. “We need to get into this building from the rear to set up the camera without their guards seeing any evidence the crew is operating there. Joey, this is important. The people in the warehouse can’t be tipped off we’re watching them. Our success will depend on complete surprise. I want the camera and one of our people there around the clock. There'll be no lights, and no cigarettes in front of the windows. And when we’re finished make sure there are no signs of anyone having used it as a look out post. Find out who owns the building the Russians are using, and if it’s being rented, who’s paying the rent. Have one of your guys watch the back side of the warehouse around the clock too. Have three cars with drivers ready
around the clock and follow anybody who comes out of there starting tonight. I want to know how many people are in there, who they are, and where they go. Get descriptions and license numbers of all their cars. Tell your people to take note of every thing they see, even if it seems trivial. And one more thing, impress on those two whores if any word of this gets out on the street they’ll be cut into little pieces for fish bait.”
The plan went into effect and continued through the weekend. On Monday morning Clay met with Joey to review progress.
“We got everybody set up late Friday night. One of their cars left Saturday morning and came back with breakfast. The same thing happened at about two in the afternoon. Nothing much happened until Saturday evening,” Joey said. “At eight o’clock five men came out of the warehouse, got in one of the cars and pulled out to near the street. They waited for two or three minutes and then a new black Caddy sedan pulled out of the warehouse, with another late model Caddy behind it. All three cars headed across town and our guys followed them. They got on the Tri State Toll Way and went north to Interstate 55, and then downtown. They got off the interstate and made their way to a small Russian restaurant. A little after eleven they reversed their route and got back to the warehouse right at midnight. Sunday, cars went out three times during the day around meal times for food. The bastards must be living in there."
“You and your men did good Joey. Stress to everyone it is imperative the Russians don't learn we are watching them. Let them think we are disorganized and they have us on the run. Talk to the security guy and see if he has ideas of how to get pictures of who gets out of the new Cadillac next Saturday evening, if the Russians go back to the same restaurant. And get close ups of everyone entering or leaving their warehouse.”
The Russians continued to take over Tony’s business with no resistance. Joey’s people located three men on guard duty watching the hospital where Tony was interned. One was in a van watching the main entrance, one in the parking lot outside the emergency room entrance and another hiding in a small patch of woods behind the complex watching the service doors and unloading docks. They continued to follow the Russians who came and went from their headquarters in the warehouse; the number of cars and drivers to follow the activity had to be increased to eight. Joey learned the warehouse was owned by a bank. It had been received after a company had gone into bankruptcy. The building was rented to a company called RMT Trucking and Storage. The principal owner of the company was recorded as a female Russian emigrant named Sophia Toscovich. Ivanoff Toscovich was listed as the Vice President of the company and a minority shareholder. He was presumed to be Sophia’s husband. Through his police contacts, Joey learned Ivanoff Toscovich had emigrated from Russia to New York City three years ago and had a long arrest record for extortion, aggravated criminal assault and murder. There was an open warrant for his arrest in New York on a two count murder charge.
Everyday Clay would escort Anna to the hospital in the morning and again in the early evening. Once there, he would excuse himself to make another tour of the hospital and make notes and sketches of notable features he saw. During his visits to the basement garage he had started turning the switch for the overhead entrance door to the off position. On one of his tours he entered the ‘Employees Only Lounge’ and discovered an outside patio area.
The employees patio was located forty feet to the left of the basement service entrance, and above the second floor level. It had been designed with seclusion of the people using it in mind; a place where they could relax away from the stress encountered in their work and not be observed by other workers or patients. The patio was tucked back in an alcove formed in the exterior of the building at the service areas where no windows looked out from any of the four floors above it. The guard watching from the woods was far enough back and on a hill high enough to have a clear view of the patio through his binoculars.
Chapter 8
Wednesday morning Dr. Levitt stopped in for a visit while Clay and Anna were at Tony’s bedside. Clay made an inquiry, “When do you feel it will be safe to move Tony from here?”
The doctor seemed to be caught off guard and hesitated a moment before answering, “Well, not for several more weeks at least. Why?”
“Because the same people who put him in here are waiting for a chance to finish what they started; I don’t think you want an attack to occur in your hospital. As soon as he’s well enough to travel he needs to be moved; both for his sake and for the safety of the people who work here.”
“Do you really think there is a danger of an attack being carried out, in spite of the men you have posted here at his room? Surely you are exaggerating! I think we should turn this over to the police.”
“No Doc, I’m not exaggerating at all” Clay replied. “The longer Tony is here the more danger he is in. And don’t you even think of contacting the police, we’ll take care of him. I don’t want to rush things, but the day you are confident he can stand to be moved we need to act. So, what do you think?”
Tony was awake and added “He’s right Doc, the sooner I can be moved out of here the better it is for me and your people. You have to make it happen, even if there’s a high risk to me.”
“Well, you’ve caught me unprepared for this. Offhand I think his recovery has been very good and under the circumstances you have just described I may be able to release him in a week; but I’ll need to review his records in detail before commit…."
Clay cut the doctor off, “Doctor Levitt, we don’t have a week. Look at releasing Tony on Friday, two days from today, if it’s at all possible.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Giliano, you both understand even if I agree to an early release I am not advocating it. The risk to Mr. Giliano will be vastly increased this early in his recovery. And his release will also depend on where you are planning to transfer him.”
“You don’t need to know the location Doc. When it’s a go, all of Tony’s medical records will be transported with him; the hospital will not forward them as you usually do. Tell your staff Mrs. Giliano is meeting with a specialist tomorrow morning and she will need a copy of Tony’s complete file. Have them ready for her tomorrow morning. Let Mrs. Giliano know your decision and any recommendations you have before we leave this morning. Additionally, when he is released, I want it to be at two o’clock in the afternoon. Keep all information about his release confidential or we will most likely be attacked either before or shortly after we leave here. You are to hold any other paperwork until after we are gone. Don’t notify admissions of what is happening, don’t cancel his meals, and don’t make any arrangements that will give people, even your employees, a hint he is leaving. I suspect our enemies have spies here in the hospital watching for any information worth forwarding to the people paying them. We'll wait here this morning until we hear from you.”
After Dr. Levitt had left Tony said “The two detectives finally caught me awake this morning and spent a half hour asking questions. I cooperated with them, but said I don’t have a clue as to what happened. I think they know even less about what’s going on than we know.”
Dr. Levitt returned later and reluctantly agreed to have Tony released in two days at two in the afternoon.
After leaving the hospital Clay told Anna he needed to stop by the saloon. He wanted to talk to Joey about arrangements for the move. He turned to Anna “You were unusually quiet this morning. Do you disagree with moving Tony this soon?”
“No, I agree fully with what you are doing. In fact, I’m impressed, but not surprised, at how you have taken charge of the situation. I’m also impressed with the self assurance you’ve exhibited. I made the right choice.” Anna leaned across the seat to kiss him on the cheek and smiled. “Thank God you’re here” she added soberly. At the saloon, Clay drove around the area to assure himself it was safe to stop and then instructed the guards in the car following them to take Anna home.
Inside the bar Clay talked with Mickey and updated him on Tony’s progress and condition. He motio
ned to Joey indicating he wanted to see him upstairs, and led the way.
“Joey, keep this between you and me for the time being, no one else needs to be informed until Friday morning. We’re going to move Tony out of the hospital Friday and there are several things I want you to round up.” Clay took a sheet of notebook paper from his shirt pocket, unfolded it and handed it to Joey. Joey read the list attentively, let out a slow whistle, and replied “O.K. I’ll have it all done by tomorrow evening.”
Clay continued “Good, you’ll need to get it started now, because at one o’clock this afternoon I want you and I to take a ride into Western Michigan to scope out how we can handle the people who will surely follow the ambulance. I want your input on the welcoming committee.
Friday morning at eight thirty Clay found Dr. Levitt and made a request. “This morning at eleven thirty Tony will be taken downstairs by his men to the X-ray department. I need you to accompany them and provide any authority required. Bring one floor nurse along, and then keep her distracted and away from us for at least ten minutes. You don't need to know anymore. The transfer from the hospital is still scheduled for two o’clock this afternoon.
Dr. Levitt frowned and began to object, “Now listen to me, I have a very busy schedule this morning and may not be at your disposal.”
“Doc” Clay countered “I’m asking you for assistance to get a patient out of here to avoid trouble. If Mr. Giliano is attacked here, the hospital board and newspapers will learn you did not do everything in your power to prevent it from happening. What will your future be then? Maybe head of the night shift in the emergency room? Also, just because you work at this facility doesn’t prevent you from being a patient; you can take my word not just as a threat but as a promise. Work with me or suffer the consequences; you really don’t have a choice. Eleven thirty sharp. Cancel whatever you have to, but be there.” Dr. Levitt’s ruddy complexion had turned a pale cream color and he stood there with his mouth open as the severity of Clay’s promise soaked in.
Reverse Metamorphosis book one of the Irrevocable Change trilogy Page 6