Affirmation (24 page)

“Josef Timpico.”

Alfonzo was not surprised
to hear the name spoken beforehand. “Yes. You live and do business daily in Italy, what is the temperature toward my family?”

“There is great respect for the Giacanti’s despite Don Dichenzo’s occasional outbursts. The movement which supports Timpico
is
small businesses who see their profits dwindle with the protection money. With the rising costs of overhead, it’s understandable they seek someone who is unafraid to speak against us and promising change.”

Alfonzo listened to the men speaking. Their common sense analysis rang true. They were able to relay their thoughts without conjecture and it’s what he appreciated the most. “It’s troubling. Timpico’s timing coincides with a fall in profits due to unsubsta
ntiated rumors for my companies.”

“Ah, but that is not Timpico’s handiwork. He’s ambitious but he has no interest in your foreign holdings. His ambitions are tied to politics in Italy. His visit was undoubtedly for that purpose only. He knows you possess influence where he does not.” Don Vecchio added matter-of-factly.

This caused Alfonzo to sit back, twisting his ring, thinking, who would benefit from the failure of his businesses?

Another spoke, “Timpico is a separate issue from your businesses. Tell us what sought from you in his appeal?”

“A temporary lift of the ‘pizzo’ and once he’s elected the families can
carry-on with the practice.”

“Bull!”

Alfonzo thought the same way.

“And for this loss of revenue to many less fortunate families what is
Timpico’s
offer?”

Alfonzo’s eyes went to each of their faces, “My Uncle’s killer.”

The men fell silent.

“Alberti’s killer has yet to be found. Every rock and hole
I’ve
searched has uncovered nothing. This is strange and I wonder
why.
”

Abate interjected, “You wonder if it was an inside hit?”

“What other explanation is there?”

“No one knew of the secret meeting that day.”

Alfonzo disagreed, “Of course others were aware.”

“Yes, but those who did were privy because they were trusted
, we did not know
.
Only the
family was
aware of the location, only your
family
Don Diaz
.
”

“Loyalty and trust go hand in hand. Sometimes those who speak least are those who listen and observe the most.”
One of the five said slyly with his eyes mirrors of blue.

The pause widened.

The men sat quietly and in their silence
Alfonzo
listened. They were telling him to look in his own backyard.
Often, this is where trouble stems. He thought of a talk he had once with his cousin Domingo after a domestic dispute. He said to Domingo, “You have shattered the children’s sanctity. The place they considered a safe-haven has been violated.
”

It is true.
Those you love and trust can bring the greatest harm. They are the people who exact the deepest emotional wounds. He knew this, because he
suffered its blade once and the scars remained. Over time, the bloody welts slowly dissolved.

He wasn’t so generous anymore.
Once cut, had been enough and there weren’t any further scars he wanted to endure.

Today he felt violated. Someone close to him had become the enemy. This threat had to be eliminated. Loyalty is what binds, blood connects but it can also pour.
Alfonzo nodded. He heard
the warning
loud and clear
. He would purge his blood and restore sanctity to his home
.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Nico met Alfonzo at the airport and they walked side by side. “I heard about the trouble with Schifani, has it been resolved?”

Alfonzo nodded, “Giuseppe will return control of his business operations to his son and moni
tor their performance. He simply wanted a break. I checked his books and he was not lying. The repairs to the fleet set him back and reparations took another chunk out of the profits. Giuseppe agreed to a loan. For Giuseppe that’s a first.”

“Perhaps fatherhood is softening the big bastard.”

Alfonzo glanced at Nico and stopped walking before they reached the car. “What happened at the guest house that day?”

“Sergio happened.”

Alfonzo scoffed, “The man has good timing.”

“He’s a lost cause.”

This statement surprised Alfonzo. For Nico to say that meant the man lacked redemptive qualities. “You sure about that?”

“I’m not sure about anything, but when you have a thief, he is often a liar.”

“Well, I think I have to send somebody to keep an eye on him from time to time.”

“If you think that’ll help.”

Alfonzo
shut his eyes as he inhaled and opened them. There was something weighing on his chest and during the flight he wrestled with it and now he had the unpleasant task of carrying it out. “Cousin, do you trust me?”

“Yes.”

“Are you strapped?”

“Yes.”

Alfonzo’s eyes bore through his cousin, “Nico are you loyal?”

“Yes.”

“Have you honor?”

Nico’s eyes were steel. The words evoked a memory of
men sitting around a table
who questioned hi
s
loyalty to Alfonzo. They said he lost honor and to reclaim
it,
he must perform a
specific act
.
He carried out the task to the letter, yet honor was not restored. No man can give you honor, it is a virtue within
. Unfortunately, it took longer
to
figure out a solution and shorter to make a mess.
He acquired his honor when
he stopped lying to himself.
Today he could look in Alfonzo’s face and hold his head high. “I have honor.”

The fierce expression on Alfonzo’s face turned to a murderous scowl. “Albert
i
had become a father to me. I miss him, don’t you,
primo
?”

“More than you know.”

“Then death to the enemies of our family, even if it is one of our own.” Alfonzo said then he walked to the car and sat in the front seat beside Lou.

Nico stood there and when his mind turned i
n motion,
Alfonzo’s message clicked. He climbed in the backseat just as Lou said, ‘Since when do you want to ride up front?”

“Nico stinks.”

Lou chuckled.

“Stop at the apartment I’m building before you take me home. I need to do a late night walk through before the inspectors come tomorrow. Damn, workers are always slacking off.”

“No problem boss.”

Alfonzo reclined his head and watched the night as they drove. He welcomed the quiet because his mind was in turmoil. The dark hid the trees and like people you never know what lurked
in the shadows beyond. When they arrived to the site, the night guards unlocked the gate to let them through. Alfonzo got out first and surveyed the land. The dirt was soft, ready for the concrete to be poured after the finishing touches were made. He looked up at the structure. It stood ten stories tall, solid and exactly like the model his client approved. He entered the unlocked doors to the ground floor where the lobby was nearly complete. The floors were flush, walls primed and waiting for paint once the electrician finished. He took up one of the flashlights near the door and Nico did the same
and used the light to guide him toward the utility room door.

His hands gripped the knob and opened, taking care to watch his step as he descended below. Lou and Nico were on his heels doing the same.

Nico shone the flashlight around the room. “
The guys are doing
top-notch work.”

Alfonzo swung around with the industrial flashlight and cracked Lou on the side of his head. A bloody patch of skin opened where he’d been struck and he hit the floor, hurt and in a daze. Nico bent down and removed his weapon, cell and personal belongings before the man recovered. He used Lou’s belt to bind his hands and dragged the man to a wall and left him there.

A few moments later, Lou understood and
leaned his head
against the wall blinking the blood from his eyes to focus.

“How did they get to you Lou?”
Alfonzo asked as Nico kept the light on Lou’s face.

The glare made Lou recoil,
“What?”

“You heard me. Answer my goddamn question straight out for a change!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Is that the answer you’re sticking to after everything we been through?”

“Boss,
it’s not personal.”

“It’s always personal when I’m being fucked!”

“Sorry we came to this, you and me. I respect you young Luzo. Do what you gotta do!”

Alfonzo nodded and Nico turned off the flashlight and unscrewed the battery
compartment
. He walked to Lou
.
“Talk Lou. It’s not worth a torturous death.
”

Lou frowned
.
He was familiar with Nico’s work. He didn’t want to suffer. “I’
d prefer a bullet.”

“Who did you tell about Alberti’s meeting?” Alfonzo questioned when Lou sighed and he saw his resolve breaking away at the threat of a corrosive end.

“I made a call to a number and recited the address.”

“What’s the number?”

“I don’t remember.”

Nico knelt
.
“Let me help you
remember
.” He pushed the edge of the battery into Lou’s mouth and it stretched abnormally wide, making him inhale hard and moan until Nico took it out.

Lou gasped, “It was an area code in Italy, northern section I believe.”

“Bueno. Now let’s do another question. Why
, Lou?”

“I was told if I didn’t cooperate they’d kill your wife.”

Alfonzo’s thunderous heartbeats were boulders striking his chest. “Who the fuck did you sell me out to Lou?”

“I really don’t know boss. That’s the truth. I just did what I was asked to keep your wife alive.”

The Bowie knife
was at Lou’s throat
.
Alfonzo asked between clenched teeth, “
My wife doesn’t need your protection. I got that shit covered. One last time you snake, who the fuck pulled your strings?”

“
I’m sorry boss I
don’t know.”

Alfonzo believed the man. It was pointless to continue. Eventually, he’d get to the bottom of it. He cut Lou’s throat so hard that the handle of his prized Bowie knife
broke.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Giuseppe’s
sports car
raced into the driveway with a roar. He climbed out of the passenger seat and shook his head when Shanda jumped out the driver’s side, whooping and hollering, “Whoa that shit is fun. This car is nice!”

The excitement on her face
was priceless. He was glad to see it after
the
medical scare
with her and the baby
. She had gained her strength and had to take iron tablets and multi-vitamins but otherwise she was healthy again.
“
I guess it means you really love your birthday present, eh?”

“Thanks
boo
,
I love it. I can’t
wait until I get the hang of these streets.”

“Please do not kill anyone.” Giuseppe warned as he started walking to the house.
The guards greeted
Giuseppe as he opened the door and he detected a smile directed at Shanda which caused him to pause. “Felix, you have the front gate starting tomorrow, capisce?”

“Sí.”

Shanda had gone inside
to
complete her dinner. She had
put
her pasta sauce
on the side when he came home with her present and
he
suggested they
take a short
ride.

Giuseppe
warned,
“You are not to smile in that way or think or blink or believe the woman who is the mother of my son is a whore. Any disrespect, sour tongue or any offensive remark to her at any time, even in
your
home I will
hear
and I will find you
and
rip out your tongue,
capisce
?”