The Chainmakers (35 page)

As the van bounced back onto the road Paolo said, 'Right. Now tell me what is so important.'

James, hesitant at first, outlined the details of his argument with his father the previous evening, explaining, 'Someone must have seen us having tea in Jacksons and told him. When I got home he and Mama were having the most dreadful row. I don't think it was entirely about me, I think it was...'

'Yes,' Paolo said. 'I understand what is was about.'

'Well anyway, I told him you are my friend, and I told him I'm not going to University whatever he says.'

'What are you going to do?' Paolo asked in a conversational tone.

'What do you mean?'

'You say you are not going to University. What are you going to do?'

'I don't know really. Get a job of some sort, perhaps.'

'What sort?' Paolo asked. 'What experience do you have? Do you know how difficult it is to get work now?'

James flushed. 'I... I could do a job in our own business, after all it will be mine one day.'

'Why should your father give you a job when you have defied his wishes?' Paolo asked quietly. 'Why should he take on a sixteen year old boy, when he can choose from qualified people who will jump at the chance to work for
him?'

'You don't know that,' James said sullenly. 'I don't think people will jump at the chance to work for him. He's a tyrant.'

Paolo laughed. 'You have a lot to learn about employers little brother. Your father is certainly no tyrant. He's known as a good employer, ask Jennie, she worked for him long enough. You say the business will be yours one day. I wouldn't count your chickens if I were you. Why should your father leave it to you if you defy him? If you don't go to University you won't have the qualifications you need to run the business.'

James was silent for a few moments, as the van wound its way out of the suburbs and into a dusty lane. Eventually he said, 'Father's forbidden me to see you at all.'

'Then what are you doing here, little brother?' Paolo said softly. 'Your first duty is to your father and your Mama.'

'Why are you on his side? Don't you want us to be friends any more?' James burst out, tears starting in his eyes.

'We shall always remain friends little brother, whether we see each other or not, nothing can alter that. I am on no side but yours James, but I can see your father's point of view. If I were in his place I would feel the same.'

'He called you a gangster, and a hoodlum.' James said.

Paolo pulled the van into the side of the road and stopped. After a moment he said quietly, 'Little brother, I think perhaps it's time I was honest with you. You are sixteen now, it is time for you to grow up. Can you take it?' His beautiful dark eyes were grave, and James had a pang of apprehension. If his father was right, and Paolo was a hoodlum, James didn't want to know it. 'Yes, I can take it,' he said.

'It is true that my uncle has done bad things... does bad things... and some people might describe him as a gangster. I don't approve of all he does and I have told him so. We have disagreements, like you and your father. But Uncle Vittorio has been very good to me, I love him dearly and could never hurt him.'

'I understand,' said James. He was not used to Paolo being serious, and found it disconcerting.

'I break the law too James. At this moment I am going to pick up some illicit booze.'

'But that isn't really wicked, everyone thinks Prohibition is stupid.'

'Not everyone James. Some people felt very strongly that it would make America a better society. Perhaps it would have, if everyone had obeyed it.' Paolo turned to face James and said earnestly, 'Because I didn't agree with the law I decided I could break it, but I'm beginning to think I'm wrong.'

'You're beginning to think... like father?' James faltered.

'When a good man like your father calls me a gangster and a hoodlum it makes me ashamed.' Paolo's voice became soft. 'You know, of course, that Jennie and I are expecting our first child?' he said.

James flushed, this was becoming embarrassing. He nodded.

'Think of it James, in a month I shall have a son of my own...'

'Or a daughter,' James interrupted.

Paolo looked surprised. 'Or a daughter, I suppose,' he said. 'I do not want my son to grow up hearing people call me a gangster and a hoodlum. I intend to leave New York, move somewhere else, California perhaps, and start afresh with my family.'

'So we shan't be seeing each other anyway?' James said, trying to mask his disappointment.

'Think of it this way, little brother. If you go to University as your father wishes, by the time you have your degree Jennie and I will have made a new life.' He laughed, and a glimpse of the old Paolo showed itself. 'I shall have a boring job in a boring place, but we shall be so happy,' he said with a flourish. 'And we shall not be breaking the law. I'm sure your father will be happy for you to come and stay with us for holidays, when we are so respectable.'

James laughed. 'And we can write, while I'm studying?' he said.

'I should think so,' Paolo said. 'I will ask your father for permission. When I explain to him what I'm doing I think he will agree. Now,' he said seriously, 'How do you feel?'

James thought for a while.

'I'll tell father I'll go to University,' he decided.

'It is a good decision. Once you are there you will realise you have done the right thing.' Paolo said. He started the engine. 'Now let's collect this moonshine. It isn't far.'

Five minutes later they pulled up at a run down farmhouse. Paolo reached behind his seat. 'Here,' he said, 'Put this on, I don't want you recognised, or me either for that matter.'

It was a bag shaped head cover made of dark material, with two slits for the eyes and a hole at the mouth. Paolo pulled one over his head, and laughed as James did the same. He got down from the van.

'Stay here until I've arranged things,' he said, 'And then you can help me load up.'

James sat in the van and watched Paolo walk up the drive and enter the farmhouse. He felt a little silly with the bag over his head, but rather important all the same. Suddenly he heard the sound of an engine, and there was a swirl of dust and the screech of brakes as a large car pulled alongside.

It was all over in seconds. James hardly had time to realise what was happening, as he was bundled unceremoniously out of the van and into the back of the car. He was pushed down onto the floor, and through the slits in his head cover he saw the gun pointed at his head.

'But don't you understand? They took him instead of me,' Paolo cried.

Vittorio Vetti regarded his nephew solemnly. 'Of course I understand, and there is no problem, they know they have the wrong person.'

'They know?' Paolo was frantic. 'How do you know that for sure?'

'Because Cavellini has been in touch.'

'Already?'

'Yes. I admit that at first I thought they had taken you. But Cavellini said right away they had a young boy with fair hair.' Vittorio gave a short laugh 'He was furious. Perhaps we have overestimated the threat. His team can't be so sharp to have made such a mess of a simple lift.'

'We were wearing masks,' Paolo said. 'What are they going to do with James?'

Vittorio smiled. 'Oh, you know, the usual threats. I told them to go ahead and do what they liked, the boy is nothing to do with us.'

'You told them what?' Paolo sprang around the desk and caught hold of Vittorio by his lapels. His dark eyes glittered savagely and his tone was venomous. '1f they harm one hair of James Sullivan's head I'll hold you responsible, you old goat.'

'Paolo!' Vittorio struggled to release himself from Paolo's grip. 'Don't get so excited! They won't harm him, why should they? They'll probably drop him off on some street corner when they realise I won't play ball.'

'And what if they don't? What if they kill him before they drop him off?' Paolo pulled the lapels across as if he would throttle Vittorio. 'And if it had been me uncle? Would you have played ball then?' he demanded viciously.

'Calm down, my boy. Don't take it out on me, I am not responsible for the boy's problem. In fact, if anyone is to blame it is yourself. You had no business having him in the van with you.'

Paolo released his uncle with a shake. Vittorio smoothed his lapels and adjusted his diamond tie pin. 'As for what I would do if you were taken, how can I say?' he said. 'I do what I must, dependent upon the circumstances.'

'And what are you going to do now? In these circumstances?'

'Why nothing! I regret this has happened, but the boy is not our responsibility.'

Paolo grabbed the telephone and held it out to Vittorio. His face was white with anger and his breathing was fast. 'Here,' he commanded, 'Phone Tony Cavellini now.'

'And tell him what?' Vittorio asked calmly.

'Make a deal. Whatever he wants you give him. Now!'

'I don't respond to threats Paolo,' Vittorio said coldly. 'Not from Tony Cavellini and not from you.'

'Is that your final word?' Paolo asked intently.

'You know it is.'

Paolo leaned across the desk, his voice choked with anger. 'Then let me tell you something uncle. I was going to tell you next month, after the baby is born. I was going to choose the right time, and the right words, so it would not upset you too much. I realise now there is only one right time and that is this moment...'

'What is all this? Are you practising your part in a melodrama?' Vittorio sneered.

'No melodrama uncle, just a statement of fact. I'm getting out. I'm going to take my wife and child as far away from you as I can.'

'All this just because of that stupid boy.' Vittorio grumbled. 'Paolo come back here! Where are you going?'

At the door Paolo turned. 'Someone has to tell his parents,' he muttered. He went out, slamming the door behind him.

~

Anna tried to make her tone light. 'There's a letter from Will,' she said. 'He's bought himself a car, an Austin seven. He says, "when the sun is hot you can fold the roof down," I think he means it's a convertible.'

Clancy nodded. Realising some effort was need on his part he said, 'A car will be useful, so it will, living where they do now.'

'Yes, indeed... although apparently the trams are much more frequent
now,' Anna said. 'Things have changed so much since we left, it's a pity Dad did not live to see it. He would have been amazed, our Will with a car.'

Clancy nodded again, and silence fell. Heavens, Anna thought, how long can this dreadful atmosphere last? The doorbell rang. 'I expect James left his key behind again,' Anna said. 'He's awfully late. '