by Tony Farraj
”Who’s your friend?” Agent Hill asked. His concentrated stare made Tina shiver. She crossed her arms over her breasts and turned her eyes to the ground.
“Why do you want to know?” Anthony didn’t want Tina to have to deal with these two clowns.
“Does she have a name?” Agent Hill asked Anthony, but kept his eye on Tina.
“Yes. Yes she does, it’s none of your business. None of your business, this is the F.B.I. Now that we all know each other, what do you need?” Anthony asked again.
Tina got up and walked to the back of the house to finish getting dressed. She had her bra in one hand and her black silk panties in the other. The room still filled with the smell of their passion.
“You didn’t waste time meeting someone new.” Agent Shepherd said as he watched Tina exit the living room.
“You two wanted to know who I’m dating? That’s the reason you came barging into my home, you two must be grasping at straws.” Anthony said as he finished getting dressed.
The lack of respect Anthony showed agent Shepherd made him boil inside. He was a special agent with the bureau for over thirty years: he had worked his way up from the ranks to become a lead agent. He loved his job, but he hated to deal with scum like Anthony. “I know who you are. I know you’re in organized crime and I know sooner or later you’re going to make a move on Carlo Sabbetini and Michael Mazelli, because you blame them for the death of your mother and ex- girlfriend, do you deny anything I’m telling you?”
Anthony sat there and waited for Agent Shepherd to finish his monologue.
“Furthermore, I have a hunch that Chris’s murder has something to do with you. I can’t prove it, but I will.”
“Are you done running your mouth off in my house?” Anthony sat up and glared into agent Shepherd’s eyes. “First thing, Helen wasn’t my girlfriend, she was my finance’.”
“You where engaged to Michael’s sister? I bet he wasn’t to happy about the engagement.” Agent Shepherd was intrigued.
“I don’t know how he felt and to tell you the truth; I couldn’t care less. As for Chris, I told you I had nothing to do with his mutilation.”
Tina emerged from the back room and walked up to Anthony and give him a kiss on the cheek, then continued passed the two agents.
“Is there anything else you two want?”
”Just this; we’re going to keep an eye on you. You’re not going to be able to take a crap without us knowing. Anthony, it’s going to be my sincere pleasure bringing you to your knees.” Agent Shepherd and agent Hill walked to the door. “You have a nice day.”
Anthony watched as the agents drove down the quiet street and out of the tiny neighborhood.
“Did Tina make it out of here alright?” Anthony asked Bruno, who was standing just outside the front door.
“Yeah, I told her to take my car. I didn’t want to leave you here with those two pricks. Do you think they found Frankie?” Bruno asked.
“No, I think Shepherd would have said something.” Anthony glanced around the street for unusual cars or working vans.
“Now what?” Bruno asked.
“Well, you heard them. They’re going to start watching me like a hawk. If I’m going to avenge the death of my mother, I have to act fast. They have to get a court order, before they can set up surveillance. By then I’ll have my plan in motion. Now that they suspect something is going on with me, I need to conduct business elsewhere. I can’t have these bastards invading my house every week. I need that bar.” Anthony grabbed his keys. “Let’s go pay Hank another visit.”
Meanwhile, back at the café, Carlo and Michael waited for Sonny to check in, when detective William and detective Johnson entered the café.
“Whatta ya two want?” Michael said agitated.
“We need to talk. It’s about Frankie.” Detective William sat in an unoccupied chair, with the back facing his stomach.
Carlo looked at the two detectives and felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. “What about Frankie?” He asked sadly, knowing the answer, before they responded.
“A call came in this morning. Two bums where seeking shelter in an abandon warehouse, when the came across a body lying on the ground, filled with bullet holes. It appears to be Frankie.” Detective William checked his notes. “The coroner estimates time of death between two and nine in the morning. He was shot at point blank range and his knee caps where blown away. My question to you is; do you think Anthony might have done this?”
“Anthony? That motherfucker doesn’t have the balls!” Michael was insulted by the suggestion.
But, Carlo knew better. He had seen Anthony in action. “Why would you think Anthony? Frankie wasn’t the nicest guy to deal with.”
“When was the last time you two saw him?” Detective William asked.
“Last night, he was here playing poker.” Michael answered.
“Anthony is our main suspect. We’re going over there to have a talk. We’ll keep you informed.” Detective William and his partner turned and made their way back outside.
“Before you go, where’s Frankie’s body right now?” Carlo asked.
“It’s down at the morgue, they’re waiting for a family member to come down and claim the body.”
“Frankie didn’t have any family.” Carlo said sadly. “I’ll come down there and claim his body. We where his only family.”
Detective William and detective Johnson walked out of the café and jumped into their car and headed toward Anthony’s house.
Carlo waited until the two detectives where gone before he spoke. “I told you there was something wrong. I knew that bastard Anthony was up to no good.” Carlo stumped around in a fit of rage. “If that motherfucker wants a war! I’ll give him a war! Find out who he’s dealing with?”
“I told you uncle Carlo not to trust that bastard! We should have killed him in the flower shop. You should’ve let me take care of it that day, not those two fuck ups from the dock.”
”It’s to late for that now. Have Anthony tailed. I want to know who he’s talking too.”
Meanwhile, Bruno pulled the car up in front of Hank’s bar. Vinnie was already waiting on the both of them. Anthony stepped out of the car and greeted Vinnie with a firm handshake.
“How did you know we where coming here?” Anthony asked.
“I ran into Tina, she told me about the two agents. I called the house, but when I didn’t get an answer, I took a chance you might be coming here.” Vinnie replied.
“Well, we would have been here earlier, but somebody had to stop and get a bite to eat.” Anthony turned and stared blankly at Bruno.
“What? I was hungry.” Bruno managed to speak in between bites. The hamburger he was holding in his hands fell apart and dribbled down on to his shirt.
“So, what’s the plan?” Vinnie asked.
“I want this place today. I want my name up there in neon and I’m not leaving until I get this bar with or without Hank.” Anthony said determined.
All three men walked in prepared to do battle, but they where all shocked to see Hank walking towards them with a set of papers in hand.
“What’s this?” Anthony asked.
“I’ve worked to hard to see this place trashed each night by your guys, so I came up with a solution; a partnership, a 50/50 split. Whatta say Anthony?” Hank extended his hand toward Anthony.
“Hank, I always knew you where a smart man and this proves it. We don’t need a contract, I trust you.” Anthony grabbed the papers and tore them in half. “Your hand shake is good enough for me.”
“I’m glad.” Hank said reluctantly. “Let’s have a drink to seal our deal.” All four men walked to the bar, while Hank stepped around the other side and pulled out an old dusty bottle from underneath one of the cabinets. “To a new beginning, may it last as long as this bottle of scotch and be just as sweet?”
“Salute!” Anthony, Vinnie, Hank and Bruno raised their glass in honor of their unholy union. “Hank?” Antho
ny said, after finishing his shot of whiskey that seemed to burn his esophagus when he swallowed. “This place needs a face lift. By the time I’m done, this will be the hottest club in town. And how am I going to do that? I’ll tell you, but right now I have other business to attend. I f you need anything or if someone is given you a hard time, you just tell Bruno here and he’ll make it all better.” Anthony tapped Bruno on the shoulder. “I’ll have him come by tomorrow morning.”
“Sure Anthony, what ever you say.” Hank poured another shot and threw it back nervously.
All four men had one last shot and slammed their glasses on the stained bar.
“This place is going to be great! The perfect place.” Anthony, Vinnie and Bruno walked out to the car and made their way to Mr. Spinelli’s dealership. They all walked in to the dealership, where they where greeted by Tina. She stood in front of Anthony in a red sleeveless dress.
“Is there something wrong?” Anthony asked with a concerned tone in his voice. He could see a somewhat panic look in Tina’s eyes. “You’re not worried about those two agents that stopped by this morning, are you?”
“Speaking of those two agents, I told Mr. Spinelli that they dropped by your house, I hope you’re not mad at me. He said he wanted to talk to you.” Tina looked nervous. She had only known Anthony for a short time and didn’t want to do anything to upset him.
“I’m really sorry those guys came in and interrupted our time together. I promise you that won’t happen again.” Anthony took her in to his arms and kissed her soft pink lips.
The three men walked back to Mr. Spinelli’s office and waited to be asked inside. Vincent was fixing a drink, when Anthony walked in and sat down.
“I hate to bother you, but Tina said you wanted to see me.” Anthony felt intimidated sitting in Vincent’s office, especially when he saw O’Malley standing in the corner, his large massive arms crossed across his muscular chest.
“Tina told me the feds where at your house this morning. What did they want?” Mr. Spinelli swirled his ice with his index finger and look intently at Anthony’s reaction to his question.
“They think I had something to do with Chris’s death.” Anthony said calmly. “I need these guys to stop breathing down my neck, so that’s why I need your help one more time.”
“Name it?” Mr. Spinelli said, again without hesitation.
“I need cash for the bar I just acquired.” Anthony could hardly contain his excitement. “I think it could bring in a lot of money, but it needs some work.”
“How much?” Mr. Spinelli asked.
“Twenty five gees should get me started.” Anthony answered.
“Alright Anthony, but first you have some unfinished business to take care of. The guy in third ward is becoming a pain in my ass.” Mr. Spinelli was tired of the way Leroy was making him look. “He’s into me for that amount, you get my cash from this bastard and I’ll let you keep half to run your bar and I’ll throw in another five for your trouble. Whatta say?”
“I think that’s more than fair.” Anthony shook hands with Mr. Spinelli and walked out to the showroom, where Vinnie and Bruno met him.
“What’s going on?” Vinnie asked. “Is everything alright?”
“Yeah, he just wanted to know why the feds came by the house and to tell me it’s time to take care of that problem in the third ward.”
“Well, then let’s go and find this scumbag.” Bruno said.
The car made it’s way down the long and narrow roads of the third ward. The tiny shacks that lined the streets of the third ward looked like they had been built in the early twenties. Each house looked completely identical to the one next door. Some where in better condition then others, but generally, they all looked alike. The white paint that covered the shacks hadn’t been touched since the houses where built.
As Anthony, Vinnie and Bruno drove deeper into what looked like a third world country, they gazed upon the merchants in the area, their shops didn’t look any better. Their buildings where covered in graffiti, some where amazing art work, with great details of famous men and black leaders, but for the most part, it was a bunch of symbols and unreadable writing that only the tagger could explain.
“Do you know what I find extremely mind boggling?” Anthony asked. “Look around here and tell me what you see? For the most part, its run down and trashy looking…”
”Yeah, so what?” Vinnie was curious to see where Anthony was going with this statement.
“Except for the cars, I mean take a look at that.” Anthony pointed to a brand new B.M.W. that looked like it belonged on Mr. Spinelli’s show room floor. The exterior of the car was polished to a high gloss. The rims of the high priced automobile where chromed and shined like a bathroom mirror. “Look how nice that car looks. That’s probably a forty thousand dollar car, but look where it’s parked; in a hundred dollar home.”
“These people don’t give a shit were they live, all they care about is that their ride looks good.” Vinnie said, as he happened to stumble onto Clicks parking lot.
“Now, when we get inside, I want everyone to be cool. I just want to get in, get our money and get the fuck out of here all in one piece.” Anthony didn’t want to draw to much attention to them self.
“Anthony, I want you to take this.” Vinnie reached under the drivers seat and pulled out a cigar box. Inside was a 9mm semi automatic handgun. “Just in case shit hits the fan, I want you packing.”
Vinnie and Bruno walked in first, followed by Anthony close behind. Inside the music was blasting. There where half naked ladies walking around with their breasts hanging out of their see-through bras. A large breasted waitress walked up and offered to take them to a table way in the back.
“Can I get you some’em to drank?” She screamed at the top of her voice.
Anthony could barely hear her. “Yeah, information.”
“Whacha want?” The large breasted waitress asked.
Anthony leaned in closer. “I’m looking for a guy named Leroy Jackson, do you know him?”
“Maybe?” The large breasted waitress eyed Anthony and his friends.
Vinnie pulled out a crisp hundred-dollar bill and placed it on the big-breasted waitress’s tray.
“He comes in at nine.” The big-breasted waitress said, as she grabbed the hundred and stuffed it in her bra.
“Are you working tonight?” Anthony screamed.
“Yeah.”
“We’ll come back tonight, save us this booth and when he comes in, point him out to us. Alright?” Anthony smiled.
The big-breasted waitress looked at Anthony and paused. “You guys ain’t cops, are you?”
Vinnie pulled out another hundred-dollar bill and stuffed it in between the waitress’s large breasts himself. “Do we look like cops?”
“Shit baby, all you white boys look the same to me.”
Anthony thanked the waitress, as they walked out to the car and headed back home.
Meanwhile, detective William and detective Johnson waited at the end of Anthony’s street for his return. When the spotted Anthony’s car pulling in to the driveway, detective William pulled in behind them, blocking any chance of a getaway.
“We need to talk.” Detective William was up in Anthony’s face, before Anthony had a chance to get out of the car.
“About what?” Anthony asked, uncomfortable about the distance detective William was standing.
“Frankie? He was found murdered in an abandoned warehouse. We’d like to ask you some questions.” Detective William glared at Anthony.
Anthony took a step back. The distance detective William was from his face made him feel nauseous. “I have nothing to say.” Anthony turned to walk away.
Suddenly, detective William grabbed Anthony by the arm. “Don’t you walk away from me, when I’m talking to you.”
“Don’t put your fucken hands on me!” Anthony jerked his arm loose from detective William’s grip. The sudden jerk caused Anthony’s arm to hit detective William squ
are in the jaw. He grabbed Anthony by the collar and swung him around.
“You’re under arrest. You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you. You have a right to an attorney, if you can’t afford one, one will be appointed to you. Do you understand the rights I have explained to you…?” Detective William didn’t wait for Anthony to respond. He pushed Anthony’s legs wide apart and pressed his right cheek hard on Vinnie’s car.
“What’s the charge?” Anthony mumbled.
“Charge?” Detective William patted Anthony down. He ran his hand down the inner part of Anthony’s thigh.
Meanwhile, detective Johnson kept Vinnie and Bruno at arms length. “Keep cool fella’s or you’ll be taking a ride as well.”
“What’s this?” Detective William asked, when he came across the gun stuffed in Anthony’s waistline. “I suppose he have a permit to carry a concealed weapon?”
“Fuck you, it ain’t mine.”
Detective William slammed Anthony’s face back on the hood of the car. “You don’t know how long I waited to do this.” He grabbed Anthony by the back of the neck and walked him to his car.
“Don’t worry Anthony, we’ll have you out in no time!” Vinnie yelled. “Where are you taking him?”
“Precinct twelve.” Both detectives jumped into their car and backed out of the driveway.
They hadn’t put the car in reverse, before Vinnie and Bruno where right on their tail. Anthony was led to booking. There he was finger printed and had his picture taken. After that, he was taken to a small cell where he waited for his arraignment. Vinnie called Mr. Spinelli when he and Bruno got to the precinct.
“Find out how much his bail is set for and call me back. Also, call John Pennington; he’s my attorney. Explain the situation, his number is…”
At that very moment, detective William was on the phone with agent Shepherd telling him they had Anthony in custody.
“We’ll be over there as fast as we can. Make sure he doesn’t pose bail, before we have a chance to question him.”
“Alright.” Detective William hung up the phone and walked back to the holding area. On the way there, he ran into his partner.
