Accidental Mobster

by M. M. Cox

  Two seconds later, Gino sticks his head in the room. I can feel his presence as he stands in the doorway silently, and I hope that I can at least convince my godfather that I am asleep. My acting seems to work, because a couple of seconds later, Gino leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

  This is it! I think excitedly. Maybe these guys are going to talk mob business. I creep to the door and open it the slightest crack, and when the door doesn’t creak, I thank Ronnie silently for her impeccable homemaking skills. As my eyes find Gino at the kitchen table, I realize Frank is not with the group. The man Ray referred to as “Donny” is also sitting at the table across from Gino, but I am more surprised by the third man at the table—Joe Saviano. What is Portia’s dad doing here? I ask myself, thinking that Portia’s gruff car salesman father has never seemed a likely member of the Mafia. But he certainly is hanging out with the right people—or the wrong people, I guess.

  Against my better judgment, I decide I need to get closer. I scurry through my room into the bathroom, which has another entrance that leads into a room Ronnie has designated her “activity” space. She is a woman of many hobbies. Beaded napkin rings and fluffy pillows are just a few items I have noticed emerge from this room in the past week. But at the moment, Ronnie’s room is serving as an alternate route for me. I slip through the room and into the hall and head to the foyer. From there, I pass Gino’s office and creep near the kitchen.

  As I reach the hall leading to the kitchen, I try to keep my breathing as quiet as possible. I can now hear the men’s voices. I think for a brief moment that I may hide in the utility closet, but I want to be able to escape quickly, so I wait around the corner from the kitchen, listening to the muffled conversation.

  “I hate meeting here,” Donny says. “I don’t think it’s safe.”

  Gino huffs. “Shut up, Donny. This place is secure. It’s your fancy apartment I’m worried about. So many girls go in and out of there, you have no idea if it’s safe to talk business.”

  Donny starts to grumble, but he is interrupted by the low, gruff voice of Joe. “What’s the deal, Gino? You going to leave Chen alone?”

  Gino sighs. “I want to let this Chen thing go. I don’t like beating up helpless old men who aren’t scumbags. I’d have no problem hurting him if he were like half the riffraff we deal with on a daily basis—most of them are robbing their customers, so it’s only fair we charge them in return. But Chen is a good man, and I’m tired of harassing him. Especially since he’s your friend, Joe.”

  “I’m not tired of harassing him,” Donny cuts in. “He owes us money, and he’d better pay. You’ve got a problem with being soft, Gino. I’d cut it out. Ray doesn’t want a do-gooder workin’ for him. Do-gooders don’t make money.”

  “I agree with Gino,” Joe says. “I need the money more than both of you, but Chen is a friend of my family, and I want him left alone. What happened the other night—that can’t ever happen again.”

  Donny beats his fist on the kitchen table. “You don’t call orders, Joe! Or did you forget? You’re nobody! You’re at the bottom of the food chain! I don’t care who your friends are! I want my money, and I’ll beat the living daylights out of anyone who stands in my way!”

  “Shut up, Donny!” Gino says, keeping his voice low but firm. “Don’t talk that way. Joe is a huge earner for us with that car lot. We work a lot of money through that place.”

  “I just don’t want him telling me what I can do,” Donny replies sullenly.

  “Just keep it down, okay? Last thing I need is for one of my kids to hear you!” Gino says even more softly.

  “Like Danny?” Donny asks. “Still can’t believe he’s Penny’s son. She’s a pretty gutsy babe to take off like she did.”

  “Shhhh! I said I don’t want him to hear you! That kid has been through enough; he doesn’t need to hear wiseguys reminiscing about his mother.”

  Donny laughs. “Kinda hard not to.”

  “Can we get back to the matter at hand?” Joe interjects. “Please, just leave Chen alone. There are plenty more fish in the sea.”

  “Yeah, I’m okay with that,” Gino replies. “In fact, kudos to him for beating us at our own game. He’s paid a big enough price already. We’ll leave him be.”

  Donny clicks his tongue in frustration. “You’re stupid for giving up good business. Ray will be angry.”

  “He won’t find out for a while,” Gino reasons.

  “Maybe. But he will find out soon enough,” Donny warns.

  It’s then that I realize the conversation is over. As I hear the chairs drag back from the table, I leap into motion and dash to my room, confusion and questions swirling in my head.

  Chapter 15

  Over the next week, I go through the motions at school, getting my work completed and hanging out with Vince at lunch. I visit the workout room after school to prepare for the wrestling tryouts being held at the end of the month, and Vince usually joins me, even though he only tried wrestling for one season in middle school and doesn’t care about making the team. I know I have a big hurdle to overcome—Tommy Gallo is in my same weight class, and although he is in detention nearly every day now, he is a state championship wrestler and still favored by the coach.

  The words that were spoken about my mother haunt me. I find my mind drifting off in class, wondering how my mom is known not only to Gino, but also to the other wiseguys in the Newcastle Mafia. I wish my mom would visit now; I would demand that she tell me how she is involved in all this. I momentarily speculate that my dad may have had some Mafia ties, but when I think about my dad’s job at Save-Much and our family’s poor living conditions, I quickly rule out any association with the mob.

  On Friday, I trudge to my locker after algebra and am pleasantly surprised to see Portia standing next to it. I have heard from Julia that neither she nor Portia won the role of Juliet. Knowing how disappointed Portia must be, I have wanted to cheer her up. I miss her. But Portia still hasn’t spoken two words to me since my public exposure. She isn’t smiling, but she doesn’t appear angry either. She looks worried.

  “Hi, Danny,” she says.

  “Hey, how are you doing?” I ask, elated that she has actually sought me out.

  “I’m fine,” she replies, pausing for a moment, as if struggling with what to say. “Look, I’m still really angry with you, and I still don’t want to hang out.” My smile falters at her words. “But I had to tell you something,” she continues. “I saw Tommy at your locker a few minutes ago. I think he robbed you.”

  “Tommy Gallo was in my locker? That’s not possible! It’s got a key lock!” I motion to my padlock in frustration.

  Portia steps back from me. “Don’t yell at me! I’m only telling you what I saw!”

  I quickly adjust the tone of my voice. “I’m sorry—I didn’t mean I didn’t believe you. I’m just not sure how he could do it.”

  She motions to my locker. “You better check to make sure everything is there.”

  A pang of anxiety hits my stomach instantly. “My wallet!”

  “You left your wallet in your locker?”

  “I know—it’s stupid!” I say as I move to my locker. “But Vince likes to take it when I’m not looking and steal my money, which he says is really his money, and, well, never mind.” I pull the key out of my backpack, but I quickly realize I don’t need it; the lock has been picked open. I quickly fling the door open and search the spot where I usually stuff my wallet. My heart sinks.

  “Is it gone?” Portia asks.

  I stare at her blankly. I’m not worried about the forty dollars or the credit card that Tommy probably won’t use. I’m thinking about a sensitive business card that was handed to me by Detective Alvarez.

  “Danny, is it gone?” Portia asks more forcefully.

  I finally focus my eyes and nod.

  “Then you had better go report it. I’ll go with you and tell them what I saw.” She starts to walk past me toward the principal’s office, but I reach
out and grab her arm.

  “No, Portia.”

  Portia jerks away from me. “What?”

  “No, I’m going to handle this myself.”

  “Are you kidding me?” she asks. “You’ll handle it? You’ll handle it? You are such an idiot, Danny! I don’t know what I ever saw in you!” She stalks away from me, but not before I see tears coming down her face.

  “I’m sorry, Portia. For everything,” I call, not knowing what else I can say. She continues down the hall, not acknowledging my apology. I want to chase her down, but I can’t now. I have a huge problem, and once again, it starts with the name Tommy Gallo.

  * * * *

  Vince drives the Lexus slowly down the road, peering into the darkness because we have decided to leave the headlights off. I can’t believe we are creeping along in the Gallo’s neighborhood at one a.m. in the morning, but sure enough, a few rash decisions have led me quickly to this point. I decided to tell Vince about the robbery; however, I want to get the wallet back myself.

  “So your wallet has something in it that might compromise my dad?” Vince asks me for the tenth time that evening. He is angry.

  “I told you, Tommy will never figure out anything unless he finds the card behind my ID, and then he actually has to call that number. The only person it could possibly compromise is me, but because I’m connected to your dad, I don’t want to take the chance.”

  “And you don’t want my dad to find out you’re a rat.”

  I glare at Vince. This is the first time he has called me that name. I have tried to not consider myself a rat, despite the circumstances, but Vince’s accusation frustrates me.

  “Don’t call me that! I’m caught in a tough situation right now. I’m trying to protect your dad!”

  Vince shakes his head. “Well, you’re doing a terrible job.”

  “Just shut up and drive,” I say, wishing I could keep my emotions under control. I need Vince’s help right now.

  “Fine,” Vince answers. “Whatever you want, boss.”

  I can’t help but recognize Vince’s sarcastic reference to the mob, but I keep my angry comeback to myself and instead try to figure out which gigantic house belongs to the Gallos. I look up from the paper I hold in my lap. “I think we’re almost there—just a few more houses.”

  “You’re sure no one’s home?” Vince asks, the first indication that he is uneasy about this scheme.

  “I’m positive. I asked Tommy’s friend Paul where he was because I needed to speak with Tommy. He said they were going to Tommy’s grandmother’s house for the weekend.”

  “Maybe it’s a trap,” Vince offers.

  I shake my head. “I don’t think so. You’re giving Paul too much credit.”

  “And you’re breaking and entering how?”

  “I don’t have to.” I hold up a key.

  “You have a key?” Vince asks in disbelief. “And how about an alarm?”

  I hold up a piece of paper in my other hand. “I got really, really lucky. I saw this stuff in a plastic baggie when I was snooping in your dad’s office last month. I don’t know what your dad does for this guy, but Ray must really trust him. They were in a locked box under the desk, which I opened with a key in a drawer. People never hide keys very well. I remembered the baggie today when Portia told me about the robbery.”

  Vince shakes his head and chuckles. “Sometimes I don’t like you, Danny. But man, you are crafty. Better not let my dad catch you pinching stuff from his office, though.”

  “Yeah, I wouldn’t want to have to explain that to him.”

  We both laugh, easing the tension between us.

  “Let me help you,” Vince says finally.

  “No, I need you to be a lookout and call me on my cell phone if you see anyone. I’m not dragging you or Gino into this any further.”

  “In a way, we may have dragged you into this,” Vince counters, strangely thoughtful.

  “Maybe,” I reply. “But like I said, I’m doing my best to protect you.” I point to a large brick colonial house on the left. “There it is. Stop here.”

  * * * *

  I creep up to the front door and listen carefully. This plan is crazy, and I’m starting to lose some of my nerve. A dog in the backyard lets out a few half-hearted barks, but the house seems deserted. I punch the Gallo’s number into my cell phone and wait. I can hear the phone ringing in the house, but after the fifth jingle, the answer machine picks up. I snap my phone shut and insert the key in the lock, apprehensively wondering if it will open the door. I breathe easier as the key turns first the knob lock and then the bolt lock, and I take a deep breath and open the door, immediately scanning the foyer for the alarm security box. I find it to my right, the red light blinking in warning. Taking two steps toward it, I quickly punch in the security code. The light stops flashing but remains red. A prompt comes up on the digital screen: “Please type password.”

  I immediately panic. Here I am, breaking the law, and if I don’t think of something quickly, I might get caught. My brain races, making me wonder how many password tries I will get before the alarm goes off and I have to run for the Lexus. I take another deep breath and punch the only word I can think of at that moment: “T-O-M-M-Y.”

  I must be on a lucky streak. The light changes to green and the words “Thank you” drift across the digital screen. I fall back against the wall, relieved and surprised that Ray Gallo would pick such a weak password.

  “Well, well, nice guess. I’ll have to tell Ray Gallo that his password is inadequate.”

  I flinch at the sound of a familiar and unwelcome voice and quickly flick the light switch next to my hand. The brightness illuminates the unpleasantly bird-like face of Barb Kluwer.

  “What’s going on?” I ask, angry and defeated all at once.

  “Perhaps you should tell me what’s going on. Ray invited me to his home. I don’t believe you were invited.”

  “Tommy stole my wallet. I need it back.” I pause when I see the pleased look on her face. “But you knew that already.”

  “Perhaps,” she replies, not a hint of surprise in her voice, “a little bird told me. You played right into our hands, Danny. Why not just tell an adult about the wallet?”

  “This is between me and Tommy,” I say furiously.

  “Oh, really?” Barb laughs in a way that makes me again want to shove her. “I thought it might have been because of this.” She holds up a small business card with the name “Pete Alvarez” on it. I grimace, knowing that my connection to the Newcastle police has been discovered.

  “Tommy’s a good boy—he showed his father this card in your wallet because they know Pete’s a cop. Ray contacted me to see if it might just be something from your little scuffle at home. You see, the Gallos have been very interested in your arrival at the Vigliottis. I told them I would talk to you, but I knew that you didn’t have any interaction with the police, by your own choice, of course. Besides, Alvarez is a Newcastle man, not a Ridley man.” She sighs and narrows her eyes. “I’m very interested by what appears to be a little espionage,” she continues, her strident voice crooning with triumph. “Here I was, thinking you were such a lucky boy to be rescued by a well-to-do family like the Vigliottis, and yet I find that you are ratting on them, betraying their kindness to the police.”

  “I am not betraying them!” I exclaim, my rage now almost completely out of control.

  “They want information, but I won’t betray Gino!”

  “They?” she asks innocently.

  I fall silent, aware that I have confirmed her accusation.

  “Oh, don’t worry,” she says cheerfully. “We already know that there’s an undercover cop somewhere within the organization. There are so many new associates, it’s hard to tell who he may be, but we’re getting closer. Perhaps you know?”

  “I don’t know,” I lie. “They didn’t tell me.”

  “Hmm, I think you’re lying, Danny,” she says, her eyes narrowing on my face. “I hear you’ve be
en doing an awful lot of that these days.”

  I want to say something really nasty to her, but I catch myself. I’m playing right into her game—she is trying to make me angry. If I want to win this battle of wills, I need to play it smart. “I don’t know who the undercover is, but I’m trying to find out so I can protect Gino.”

  “If you’re not careful, you’re the one who is going to need protection,” she says, smiling. “I hear Gino was responsible for taking care of a rat not too long ago. He takes tattlers very seriously. So does Ray Gallo.”

  I try not to show her my uneasiness. I wonder if she is telling the truth about Gino killing a rat. I change the subject. “So, I see you’ve got plenty to hide as well. I knew Capriotti was dirty, but now I see you’re involved in all this too. I could tell them, you know.”

  She chuckles. “Well, you could. But then I would be forced to inform Gino of your true loyalties. I’m afraid he would be very disappointed in his godson.”

  “He would never hurt me.”

  “Really? I wouldn’t be so sure. His allegiance is to his family and the Mafia. And you haven’t exactly proven yourself trustworthy.” She motions to the paper and key in my hands.

  “I’m pretty sure he didn’t exactly hand those over to you. Although, I must say, even though we expected you to show up after you questioned Paul, I had no idea that you would take Gino’s private items to get in here.”

  I shake my head in frustration, ashamed of myself but not wanting to show it. “What do you want from me?”

  She eyes me intently. This is the question for which she has obviously been waiting. “So many things, Danny. You’re an important key to this whole organization. But for the moment, my silence can be bought with two items. Two items that will keep me and my boss from saying anything ‘unfortunate’ about you to Ray or, more importantly, Gino, whom Ray still trusts completely.”