Silent Sanction: A Novel

by Joseph D'Antoni

  “Kind of.”

  “I’ll come right to the point. We lost Ed last week. His body was found at a dumpsite in Chalmette near the levee.”

  Wade was stunned and said nothing as Pisano continued. “He was killed a few days before we found his body. His hands had been tied behind his back, and he had a piece of radiator hose in his mouth.”

  Wade became noticeably affected.

  “He was tortured before he died. His fingers were broken and he had burns all over his body. He must have gone through hell before they finally killed him.”

  At this point Wade was in pale shock. He wasn’t processing the visual being described. He couldn’t speak. He barely managed to get out the word, “Who?”

  “His body was brought to the dumpsite after he was killed. The site picked was on another gang’s turf to try to throw us off. The hose in his mouth is clearly a Coletta signature.” Pisano continued, “I have all of my informants on the street in full alert but we don’t have any information yet. His funeral was last week. I attended and spoke with Ed’s mother and father. Of course, they took it pretty hard.”

  Wade said, “I’ll go see them.”

  Pisano said, “Ok but be careful.”

  Wade asked, “What about Linda?”

  ”She and her daughter are now fine and out of the area. She found a job, and Mindy is in school and has some new friends.”

  “What about Jamie?”

  “I had the salon watched for several weeks after the Linda incident. T.J.’s guys came around a couple of times at Linda’s scheduled appointment time on Thursdays. One time one of the guys came in and asked Jamie if she had seen Linda. Jamie stepped right into her old role and told them she hadn’t seen her for weeks. The fact that she had another customer in her chair at that time reinforced her story. No one from the Coletta organization has been by in weeks. I think Jamie is fine now. When I last spoke to her she asked about you and said she may be going to another salon.”

  Wade nodded, thanking Pisano for the update.

  Pisano asked, “Are you planning to do any more racing?”

  “No, I sold my race car and parts to a guy in Texas before I went on active duty.”

  “Good, we’re still following the racing parts connection.”

  “I’m totally out of that now. I’m not going to any more races or car shows.”

  Jake said, “Good. There was always that loose connection at the track between you, Ed, and the Colletta gang that I was never comfortable with. I want you to know that I’m personally handling the murder investigation of Ed. I consider him one of my people, and I’m going to get the bastards that did this.”

  “I know you will.” Hanna replied almost sick with emotion that he hadn’t processed yet. He just felt numb. He was again vaguely aware that he had recently come off an undercover mission that could still get him killed, he had just almost lost his life in an undersea mission that he should never have been on, and his mother was dying. And now he had just lost his best friend.

  Jake started to leave the table, but then turned back to Wade and said, “I almost forgot to mention. I had a meeting with a Mr. Walter Jenkins who called my office asking about you. I wasn’t going to say anything to him over the phone but I did agree to see him, and so we met. He’s from Naval Intelligence or one of the other Spook agencies. I’ve met enough of these guys; I can smell them a mile away. I know the names they give are never their real names. I agreed to meet with him because he came through the right channels of our department and because I wanted to know more about what he wanted to know. I wasn’t going to give him anything but I thought I might be able to get something out of him for you.”

  “I told him before we met that I was not going to discuss anything about the NOPD operations or what role you may or may not have had – or even confirm that there was any role. He agreed to meet on that basis. It was not a long meeting; maybe 20 minutes. He just wanted to know about you and how you responded under difficult circumstances.”

  “I didn’t confirm that you were involved in anything that could be classified as a difficult situation. The only thing I told him was that I would pass along his number to you the next time I saw you. But I didn’t make any promises other than that. It’s up to you whether you want to give him a call or not. Here’s his name and number.”

  Wade took the piece of paper he was handed and asked, “Do you think I should call him?”

  Jake replied, “I don’t think it’s a big deal one way or the other. I think it might be interesting to hear what he has to say. Just listen and don’t say anything. I had him checked out. He’s a real government agency employee having nothing to do with the FBI or our undercover operation.”

  Wade thanked Pisano and said he would think about it. After Jake left Wade remained nursing his cup of coffee. He had a lot on his mind. He missed a lot of school while on active duty. St. John’s, like other schools, was good about giving students on active duty time to make up classes and even provided tutors if the students needed them. He would have to deal with that. He also had to deal with Ed’s death.

  Wade had a brief discussion with his father about his mother’s worsening condition. His father wanted to take Wade to dinner, just the two of them. He thought the overture from his father was unusual but agreed to it.

  Wade wanted to meet with Ed’s parents and wanted to check on Jamie. He didn’t know what to do about this Jenkins guy. Wade really started to feel Ed’s absence. He thought about how close they were and how close he, himself, had already come to being killed. He thought it was dumb mysterious luck that he was not in the grave next to Ed. He thought about how easy it would be for him to be hit by the gang in the same way if Coletta gang members saw him around town.

  A week later Wade was back in school, attending his make-up classes and really hitting the books. He felt good that he was starting to get caught up. He called to set up a meeting with Ed’s folks. When Wade arrived, the door opened. Ed’s mother and father were standing there with tears in their eyes. They hugged Wade, and Ed’s mother said, “Please sit down”, pointing to Ed’s favorite chair. She asked, “Can I fix you anything?”

  Wade said, “No thanks, I’m fine.”

  Ed’s mother told him, “I always fixed you and Ed something whenever you came over.” She started crying.

  Wade said, “I was on active duty in the Gulf. That’s why I didn’t attend the funeral. I’m so sorry this happened.” Wade now had tears in his eyes.

  Ed’s mother and father both said, “It’s okay.” She continued, “You know, Ed always looked up to you. He thought you were exactly the person he wanted to become.”

  Wade replied, “I always looked up to him as well. He was a great friend.”

  His mother said, “He should have never gotten into this gang thing.”

  His father added. “It was those guys that did this.”

  Ed’s mother said, “Ed knew better.”

  “He was trying to get out,” Ed’s father defended his son. “They wouldn’t let him out.” His father continued, “You know my two stations were always going to be Ed's; nobody else’s. He could have made a good living with them. Sometimes he was so hardheaded. But they were always going to be his. He just wasn’t ready to manage them yet. I don’t know what I’m going to do now. I can’t even go to work. When I see the tools Ed used, I start crying. Everything reminds me of him.”

  They talked a while about old times, and Wade said. “I want you two to know something. Ed was getting out of the gang. He told me that several times. He just had to do it slowly. I don’t know who did this to him but I know Detective Pisano will find them.”

  Ed’s mother said, “Detective Pisano is such a nice man. We met him at the funeral. He told us the same thing you just said. That makes us feel better. I wish Ed had met the detective when he was younger. You were so smart not to get involved in those gangs.”

  Wade said, “I was lucky, not smart.” Wade continued, “I want you to kn
ow that Ed was helping the police when he was murdered. He was doing good work when he died. His death was not in vain. The police are very grateful for the work Ed did. I just want you both to know he was getting out and was doing the right thing when he died. His death was not for nothing. He died trying to do the right thing.”

  His mother replied, “We understand.”

  They all cried together and discussed old memories of Ed. As Wade was standing to leave, Ed’s mother said, “If you ever want to go by his grave we’ll take you.

  "I would certainly like that.”

  Ed’s mother and father cried as they hugged him. Wade quietly left.

  That same week, Wade met his father for dinner at Monroe’s, one of his father’s favorite restaurants just off Napoleon Avenue. Wade’s father had ordered a table in a small private room in the restaurant so they could talk. He and his father both ordered the house specialty and Wade’s favorite appetizer. Since Wade was a child, the combination shrimp and crabmeat appetizer with remoulade sauce was his favorite. His father started the conversation by asking Wade to tell him about his active duty.

  Wade replied “I can’t really talk about it.”

  His father joked, “Top Secret mission?”

  Wade didn’t reply. His father asked, “What about the school you missed?”

  Wade replied, “I think I’m going to be okay.”

  He continued, “The school has a special program for those serving on active duty. I’m taking the make-up courses now, and they’re going well. In fact, I’m learning more with the make-up classes than I learned in regular class.”

  His father seemed satisfied and said, “I want to talk to you about your mother. While you were gone her condition got worse and she had to go into the hospital.” He looked up at Wade and said, “I don’t know how long we are going to have her around. I just felt you should know that instead of hearing it from another relative. We’ll have more nursing help around the house, but it doesn’t’ look like the doctors can do much more for her. You might take that into account when you deal with her. At times she comes across tougher than she really is.”

  Wade replied, “I understand.”

  His father said “You may want to take this time to be with her a little more”.

  “I will.”

  On the outside, Wade seemed to take all the news since his return in stride. On the inside, he was full of anxiety and confusion. His best friend was dead, and now he was losing his mother. He was behind in school, and he was still looking over his shoulder for retribution from the mob.

  30

  New Orleans, LA

  It was now approaching Christmas, and school was closing for the holidays. Wade had really applied himself to the books and was almost caught up for the time he spent on active duty. Some of his time pressure was off for the moment, and he started thinking about unfinished business. He often thought about his friend Tom in SEAL Team Two and wondered if he had made it. He had promised to call Tom’s wife, Cheryl, and he hadn’t done that. He found her picture and phone number and called.

  A female voice answered, “Hello?”

  Wade said, “Hi my name is Wade Hanna, and I am a friend of Tom’s. He deployed off our submarine in the Gulf. I was just calling to see if he was okay.”

  Cheryl said, “Tom said you might be calling. Yes, Tom’s fine. He got back from the Gulf and we had a few days together. After Cuba, he was deployed to Vietnam. He’s over there now somewhere with his team.”

  “I’m glad he’s okay. Please let him know I called when you talk to him.

  Cheryl said, “I sure will. We just had our baby.”

  Wade had forgotten about the baby. “Congratulations! That’s great,” he said.

  “The baby’s crying now. I have to run. Thanks so much for calling.”

  They hung up. Wade was pleased that Tom had made it but wondered what it was like in Vietnam.

  Wade’s next call was to a downtown New Orleans prefix and the number given to him by Pisano. Wade asked for Mr. Jenkins by name and soon the voice came on the line, “Jenkins here.”

  Wade replied, “My name is Wade Hanna. I received a message from Detective Pisano to give you a call.”

  “Yes, thank you for calling. I would like a chance to meet you and discuss a proposal I have.”

  Wade said, “Okay. Where do you want to meet?”

  “Do you know the little park at the lake with benches that are right on the water near the light house?”

  “Sure,”

  Jenkins replied, “Does this Thursday at around three o’clock work for you?”

  Wade replied, “Sure.”

  Wade was at the meeting site early. His instincts told him to check it out first. On his way to the park, he passed Ronda’s Salon but didn’t stop. The meeting place was just a couple of miles from the beauty shop. Wade saw that the parking area for the little park was empty. It was late November, and there was a cold wind coming off the lake.

  Wade walked over to the railing at the edge overlooking the water. A colorful row of boats were docked on both sides. The wind was moving the calm water around the boats reflecting abstract images in the sunlight. Small ripples of red, yellow, blue and white made mesmerizing patterns. His mind began to wonder about who this Jenkins guy might be and why he was interested in him. As he looked at the small colored ripples in the water he asked himself where his life was going.

  Wade hadn’t had time to think much in the past few months, especially about such things as the future and what he would be doing. He was just trying to survive. He thought back and pondered what his life had been and how little control he had had over it. He was going on nineteen years old and hadn’t lived much of that life that wasn’t associated with near-death experiences. He thought about never really having a childhood. He had to grow up quickly and was not like other kids his age.

  In terms of the future, Wade didn’t know where he was going from here, but knew that if he kept tempting fate, he would be dead before he turned 21 – maybe even before he turned 19. He thought perhaps his fate was to die young. He reflected on how easily one wrong move, or poor luck, would leave him in a grave like Ed. He also reflected that he wasn’t sure anyone in his life would really care or understand. He could count his friends that were still alive on one hand.

  Wade realized there was some self pity in his thoughts, but what really concerned him was that he didn’t feel he had any direction to his life. He decided to stop dwelling on these issues and turn his attention to the nice boats docked before him. He soon imagined he would like to have enough money one day to own one and what they might be like. He quickly caught himself saying, “That was dreaming.”

  A dark sedan pulled up in the lot and a slender man in an overcoat and fedora got out and started walking toward him. As he got closer the man asked, “Are you Mr. Hanna?”

  Wade nodded and said, “Yes.”

  Jenkins continued, “My name is Walter Jenkins. I am coordinator of the Inter-Agency Task Force in New Orleans. We are a government agency that does work in the intelligence area.” Hearing this line, Wade thought Pisano was right. He sensed this guy was a spook and Jenkins was not his real name.

  Jenkins said, “Let me give you my card,” and handed Wade his card, which only had his name, the same number Wade already had, and the words Inter-Agency Task Force.

  Wade became more direct and asked, “So what does your agency Task Force want with me?”

  “Well you were recommended to us as someone who may be interested in working for the government.”

  “Who recommended me? I have no idea what work you’re talking about.”

  Jenkins replied, “It’s good to have those questions. Let me explain. You have been in the Navy now for what, two years?”

  Wade said, “That’s about right.”

  Jenkins continued, “Your scores on the Navy tests that got you into submarine school were very high. Much higher than average. The agencies my department coordinates
do primarily surveillance work and some undercover work. We get a lot of people from the Navy who receive high scores on their tests. We find someone like you in the military ranks, and then we look into their service record. We interview people they served with, people whose command they were under. We do background checks to make sure they have not been in any trouble. We interview these individuals to see if they like what we have to offer. We see if they have any interest in a job opportunity and career with the government serving their country.”

  “After doing all this, and only if there’s a fit, we make them an offer. The person can accept the offer or reject it, no questions asked. There are no obligations or pressure for accepting the offer. We like what we see in you and think you would be ideal for one of the services we coordinate. At this point, if you are open to it I would like to begin discussing an offer to you.”

  Wade said, “Okay, what did you have in mind?”

  “I’m just going to outline the basics of an offer and let you think about it. There is nothing in writing at this point, and if at some point you find the offer acceptable, we’ll put it in writing, and you’ll be employed by the federal government through one of our agencies.” Jenkins continued, “Well Mr. Hanna, as I understand it you have approximately two years left to serve in the Navy Reserve. That includes your requirement for attending meetings at your base every month. You have to take certain technical classes to maintain your rating. You must serve at sea for two weeks every summer. The most important part of your obligation with the Navy is that you are available on-call for active duty at a moment’s notice, am I correct?”

  “Yes.”

  Jenkins said, “You also receive very modest pay while serving. It’s my understanding you were just called to active duty in the Gulf. I’m sure you are aware of our country’s buildup in the draft for the Vietnam War?”

  Wade acknowledged by nodding yes.

  “My proposal would include making all of your remaining obligations to the Navy go away.”