by Bobby Dennis
to know he's met a man!"
The other men looked at Giancarlo and saw the
intensity blazing from his vivid blue eyes.
* * * *
A few weeks later Ransom, Baron, Big Larry, L.J and Turk sat in the back office of the Tip-Top.
"So you're saying we can get our product from your source, for cheaper than what we're paying the Mexican?" Larry asked.
"Yeah, I am!" Ransom said. "It's probably a better grade too!"
"I'm in!" Big Larry said smiling. "I just hope that there are profits enough for all of us!"
"We're family, so we won't go hungry. We don't have to put restrictions on this because we’re not in competition.” Ransom said. “Baron will handle the street level for us and he's your son in law, so it's all in the family!"
Before the men could go on there was a loud knocking on the thick door.
"Who's there?" Turk asked going to the door. He heard a voice shout out.
"This is Pike Richards, get out here now!"
Turk opened the door and Pike stood there with Bill Lee and both men were unarmed. Bobby and Sha held their .45's to the men's head. Dennis and Roger took the men’s guns, while aiming their pistols at them too. You could almost feel the heat of his anger as he grimaced.
"Alright fellas, put the guns away." Turk said softly with the glint of laughter in his eyes. "Pike, Bill Lee, we gonna give you back your guns, so don't be a fool!"
Dennis and Roger both gave the men their guns and stood there waiting for the men to holster them. Reluctantly, the men slid the guns into their holsters. Turk stepped aside and the men moved inside. Turk looked at the four young men and flashed them a quick smile, then closed the door.
"What the fuck kind of welcome party do you think that was !" Pike screamed. "I ought to lock all of you niggas up. I know y'all killed Chauncy, and that son of bitch there damn near killed Bill Lee." he said pointing at Baron.
"First off, you ain't gonna lock up shit!" Ransom said viciously. "And you ain't gettin a dime of our money, so don't think you will. You're puffing up like you're in charge. Nigga, the only reason you ain't dead already is because I ain't said so! Them crackers ain't shit, they need you. This is how it goes from here. We'll make sure that trouble is taken care of and you just keep on pinching off your little pieces of the pie. But, if you oppose us in any way, you're dead, Bill Lee is dead. If your father's still alive he will die, so will your sons and nephews!"
"Nigga you threatening my family!" Pike roared.
"Your days are numbered Pike, so don't make us punch your ticket. The survival of your family depends on that!" Ransom said.
Pike looked around the room, then said. "You niggas got it all figured out, but your ass gonna fall. And when you do, I'll be there to pick up the pieces!"
"I told you once Pike, it's thru you, or over you. A smart man would know when to step aside!" Ransom said.
Pike looked at the men, then spun on his heel and headed for the door with Bill Lee behind him. After they had left Baron asked Ransom. "Do you think he'll be a problem?"
"He's a problem now Baron, but we can't really afford to get rid of him. Draw too much heat from Carl Lee."
The men sat and talked for a few more minutes, then they each rose to leave.
* CHAPTER # 25 *
Raven, Celia and Nelson were in the front of the store. It was only 9:00 in the morning and they had been there for two hours. They rose early.
Raven stood leaning on the counter, Celia stood behind it. Nelson was sweeping toward the front of the store. He stopped, lay the broom aside, and said. "Grandpa, that white man is back!"
Raven walked to the front door, as Nelson headed to the back. "Ain't no need for that son." Raven said, as he watched Giancarlo step from the back seat. He saw him say something to Joe Green and watched as Joe Green bent into the car and grabbed two packages. Pauly lead the way to the door and held it for Giancarlo.
"How are you Mr. Torronelli?" Raven asked, as Celia waved at Carlo. "To what do I owe this visit?"
I'd like to talk with you Mr. Kane, no business, just talk!" Giancarlo said.
Raven looked at him and raised his brows. "I've heard that somewhere before."
Carlo chuckled, then turned to Joe Green and took the packages. He walked to the counter and passed one of the packages to Celia, and said. "Cannoli, my wife prepared it. She would be honored if you took it!"
Celia took the package and opened it up and saw that Cannoli was an Italian dish. "Thank you sir, and please extend my thanks to your wife as well."
Carlo walked to Nelson and gave him the other package. ,"It's a few bottles of wine from my vineyard, outside of Naples."
"Thank you, Mr. Torronelli." Raven replied.
Carlo turned to Joe and Pauly, then said. "Go on and do what needs to be done. Come and pick me up at 5:00, or 5:30!"
"You're taking a lot for granted here Carlo!" said Pauly concerned.
Carlo looked deeply into Raven's eyes, and said. “I'm in good hands Pauly. Mr. Kane would die protecting me, because I surrendered myself to his care. It would be an affront on his honor, if harm came to me while I was his guest!"
Raven laughed, then said. "I only hope to live up to the standard you've set for me!"
"You're sure?" Joe asked. "Sal, is gonna have our ass for this!"
"Sal might try to hit me himself, so forget about it. He'll pray I die before I get back." Carlo said seriously.
The two men nodded, then left.
Carlo turned to Raven, and said. "I hope I wasn't too presumptuous, in assuming you'd allow me to stay and talk with you.”
`"Presumptuous, never. Bold, surely." Raven said warming to the big man. "Why would you want to waste a day with me?"
"First, I'd like you to call me Carlo, as do all of my friends and enemies."
Raven laughed and moved towards where four chairs and a card table sat. That one there is Nelson, he's my grand boy, actually he's my grandson's boy. He's a fine young man, but I just can't seem to get rid of him. Been that way since he was a baby. Took to me and Celia, like we were his parents. Couldn't live with his folks, so we raised him. Knows I ain't his pa, but acts like I am."
They sat down and Raven asked. "You know how to play checkers, Carlo?"
"Never even heard of it." Carlo said.
Raven reached back onto a low shelf and pulled a wooden case out, opened it and there was the board.
"You mean chess?" Carlo asked.
"I play chess, but I like checkers better." Raven said. "I'll teach you to play!"
The two men sat at the board and talked for several hours. They broke for lunch and Celia served them Cannoli with the meal she had prepared. They rode around and stopped at several business that Raven had a share of. Nelson was their driver and the two men talked all through the day. By 3:00 p.m. Raven knew what kind of man Carlo was and he wasn't much different than him as far as beliefs were concerned. Carlo had told Raven his life story and Raven told him about being raised with the Indians by a Chinese father. The two men got along well and Raven found that he genuinely liked the man.
It was closely approaching 5:00 p.m. and Carlo showed no indication of wanting to leave Raven’s side. It was a Friday night and Carlo didn’t have any plans.
“What do you do on a night like this?” Carlo asked.
“Usually I take Celia out to one of the clubs and show her a good time.” Raven replied. “She still likes to cut the rug!”
“Do you think me and Sophia could go out on the town with you?” Carlo asked. “I don’t mean to impose.”
“Son, do you know what it would mean if you went to a club with us?” Raven asked.
“I’m not sure I understand.” Carlo said puzzled.
“It’s segregated son. A black musician can perform for whites, but we aren’t allowed to be in the audience unless it’s at a black nightclub. Trust me, they can get pretty rowdy on a Friday night.” Raven said chuckling.
“I’v
e experienced a lot of things and most of what I’ve experienced as far as blacks are involved, is what I’ve learned about your people from word of mouth. We’re not so different you know?” Carlo said.
“If you’re determined to go, then it’s alright by me. Nelson I want you to go to Ran and tell him that Carlo will be going to Club Havana with me tonight. He’s our guest and I won’t tolerate any disrespect!” Raven said firmly.
Nelson hurried from the building to do Raven’s bidding.
“You won’t need the others, unless they just want to tag along. No harm will come to you and yours, when you come to see me. I promise you that!” Raven said.
“Where will we meet?” Carlo asked.
”Right here at 9:00” Raven said with a smile. “You won’t forget this night.”
“He said what?” Ransom asked Nelson surprised.
“He said Carlo and his wife are going to the Havana and he wanted you to get the word out that he’s under our protection!” Nelson responded.
“Fuck!” Ransom exclaimed. “Carlo has been there all day long?”
“Yep, from about 9:00 in the morning till now.” Nelson said. “It seems like pa like him too!”
“Well I guess I better get the word out. Go tell Baron that I want him to put four men on Carlo as soon as he meets pa. They ain’t got to get close, but stay close enough so if anything happens they can protect him.” Ransom said.
* * * * “Sophia, we’re going out on the town with the old man I told you about.” Carlo said. “Just us, no one else!”
“That’s just the break that Franco Lucca is looking for!” Sal said angrily. “It’s bad enough that you left yourself open all day. Now you wanna do the same at night? That’s crazy Carlo!”
“Franco has become a thorn in our side, but I don’t think he would try to strike while I’m with the Kanes. Unless, he thinks as little of them as you and the others!” Carlo said smiling. “Raven takes my safety personal and I do believe that if an attempt was made on my life, he would die trying to protect me!”
`“What do these people know of honor?” Sal shouted angrily. “Much more than you obviously.” Carlo said sarcastically.
All the while the men talked Diego Prizzi, Carlo’s butler, listened. He was being paid by Franco, for just this type of information. Sophia sat and listened at the men go back and forth. She knew Sal wasn’t as concerned for Carlo’s safety, as he appeared to be.
Sophia was a beautiful, full bodied Italian woman. She had beautiful, big round eyes, a lush and inviting figure and a sharp mind. She knew that if Carlo felt so strongly about this man Raven, then he must indeed be a special man. She could hardly wait to meet him.
“I want to go.” Sophia said softly. “I think it will be fun. None of the same day to day monotony, that’s for sure.”
“That settles it for me!” Carlo said with finality!
Sal looked at him and threw his hands up. He just knew in his heart, that these niggers would be Carlo’s down fall. “Well“, he thought. “All I’ve got to do is protect myself and the more Carlo stays with the blacks, the more confident he would get. The time could well come when the family needed a new leader.”
Diego Prizzi made multiple excuses and hurried from the Torronelli residence. He drove to a dive bar downtown called Sharky’s. He whispered in the Bartender’s ear and was lead to a back office. When he walked thru the door, Franco Lucca rose from behind the small desk and walked to him.
“Diego my friend, I can tell by the look on your face that you have something for me.” Franco said smiling, with his hand extended.
Diego shook his hand and looked into Franco’s laughing eyes. “Carlo is going to the Club Havana, in nigger town with no body guards or back up. He’s gonna be in the company of a nigger named Raven Kane and his wife.”
Franco Lucca was a medium build man with jet black hair, piercing black eyes and a disarming smile. He was a dapper dresser and had all of his suits and shoes hand tailored. He was a handsome man and new to this region. He had been here maybe six months, and saw the potential cash cow that this river city could be. He planned to stake his claim, since this was a free city. The Harlem of the south was what they called it, over in nigger town.
His right hand man Dominic Testoni, was a handsome, big bruiser. Dark hair, blue eyes, roman nose and dimpled chin. It always looked as if he had a five o’clock shadow, no matter when he shaved. “I’ve heard a few tales about that Kane nigger.”
Franco turned to him and gave him a questioning look.
“They say the nigger was a real rough one, in his youth. Word is, his sons, grandsons and nephews are a hard group. Word is, they took Chauncy out. That’s why I can’t see Carlo in their company, Chauncy was Carlo’s man. That cuts off his finances!” Dom said.
“Unless he’s trying to get them to fill the void, left by Chauncy’s hit!” Luka Pannelli said.
Luka was a small, thin man, who was quick with knives, guns, fist or feet.
“Luka could be right.” said Primo Carni.
Primo Carni was a big man, that fit none of the stereotypes. He was fair skinned, with Nordic good looks and blonde hair cut in the latest fashion. He was fond of double breasted suits.
“If that’s true, then we won’t be able to put our nigger in over there.” Franco said. “Where did you say they’d meet?”
“At Kane’s store, 9:00 tonight!” Diego said.
“Primo get over there and find out where the meeting place is so we can be there waiting. I believe I can trust Sal Torronelli to some degree, but Carlo is a different sort. Let’s move on them tonight!” Franco said.
Baron looked at Will, and said. “My pa trust us to protect Carlo, so we’re gonna do it right. If he has enemies, then they know that the best time to hit him would be at his home. Bobby, Sha, Ben, I want y’all to find out where the Torronelli’s home is. Once you find it, call me here. Me, Will, Sam, Dennis and Roger will be there. Get on that now and be sure to get the Thompsons!”
The three men nodded and rose. “How many cars do we take?” asked Sha.
“Take three, so we won’t be crowded.” Baron answered.
*
At 8:00, Carlo and Sophia headed out of the house. It was going to be a beautiful night.
* After Primo left to find Raven’s store, Franco looked at Diego and asked. “Just how much do you think that information was worth?”
Luka Pannelli had moved behind Diego and stood close to him. Diego was unaware of the danger, as Franco’s question rang in his ears. He licked dry lips and thought to ask for $1,000, but instead he asked. “How much was it worth to you?”
Franco looked in his eyes, and said. “We’re gonna kill Carlo, you’re aware of that. Repercussions are gonna come so we have to tie up all the loose ends. You my friend are a loose end. To answer your question, it was worth your life!”
Luka’s arm streaked out and wrapped around Diego’s neck and his right hand flashed forward burying his stiletto in Diego’s kidney. Diego’s body arched, as the sharp blade sliced into him. Luka eased the body to the floor and cleaned the little blood that clung to his blade on Diego’s pant. He stood and before he could speak, Diego’s body released a big fart, then he voided his bowls.
“Dom, you and Luka get this piece of shit out of here, before he stinks up the whole place!” Franco said. Dom rolled Diego in the rug he lay on, there was little blood, as the hole from the stiletto had closed. All of the blood was trapped in the husk of the dead man.
* Bobby was on the phone with Baron telling him how to get to the Torronelli estate in the quaint section called Avondale. Baron and the others got their weapons and loaded into a big sedan and drove to their meeting with Bobby and the others.
When they arrived at the gas station the men split up and got two men to a car. Baron had them drive to a secluded spot where he instructed them.
“Me and Will are gonna be right behind him. Ben, you and Sam will be up front. Bobby, you and Sha will tail m
e and Dennis and Roger will pull drag. We know where they are going, so we can tail them loosely. Not too loose, but keep your eyes open. If any vehicle appears to be a threat we’ll take care of it and worry about the consequences later, got me?”
The men all nodded their heads, then got into their cars and kept up a roving patrol of the Torronelli estate. At 8:15, Baron spotted a Caddilac Coupe pull onto the street from the Torronelli’s place. He caught a glimpse of Carlo and followed the car by about six car lengths. He saw Ben and Sam as their car accelerated to over take Carlo. He knew the others were behind him, so there was no need to check. The family took their duties seriously.
* Franco and Luka sat slumped down in their car across the street from Raven’s store. Primo and Dom sat in their car slumped down a block away.
Nelson had been watching the street all day. And from talking to several customers he knew that a big white man had been asking about the location of their store. That made Nelson suspicious, so he kept his eye on the street, especially since the man never came to the store. Nelson had an agile mind from studying at Raven’s feet. Why all of a sudden was a white man interested in their store? Why would he find out its location and never show up? The only answer was that the man planned to harm Carlo and Nelson would do all he could to prevent that. The family’s honor depended on it.
He had seen the two strange cars and had went so far, as to go out the back and walk past them. He saw the men trying to be invisible and one of them fit the description of the man trying to find their location. He watched them as they sat low in the cars and decided he should take this to Raven. He called Raven on the phone and told him of his suspicions. Raven told him to keep his eyes on the cars and he would be there shortly.
Raven called Ransom and laid it out for him. Ransom in turn called Trace, who called Drake. In a matter of minutes, most of the older Kanes met at Raven’s house in the den.
“This is what I want done.” Raven said. “I want the four men alive if it’s possible, if not, so be it. When you get them, take them to the warehouse we got down on the dock and I’ll be there shortly. Me and Celia got some partying to do tonight.”
