AWAKENING (Alfonzo)

by Frank, S. W.

  Anger wasn’t the only motivation to do what he did, protection was the other –but what good did that do? Selange was still being investigated.

  Damn!

  Yes, he could see his wife needed him here. The children were growing, their needs became more demanding and at this rate she’d never get a break.

  Selange passed the room almost on cue, spotted him there then backtracked, “Is everything okay, why is Allie in bed?”

  She was in the room checking Allie’s forehead for a fever.

  “She went to a party last night.” Alfonzo joked.

  “No, for real, what’s wrong?”

  “She’s tired. Apparently she got up looking for you.”

  “Oh.”

  He saw the guilt again, “Eh, she’ll be fine after a nap.”

  “I guess so.”

  “Come here,” Alfonzo said. When she came he embraced her, “it’s going to be okay, we’ll get through this and be a family again, feel me?”

  Her head pressed to his neck, “Gosh, I can’t wait.”

  Alfonzo requested strength from a higher power to leave them now. He’d been gone long enough. “Before I leave, let me show you something.”

  They wound up in the master bedroom with the door closed. He pushed aside the mattress, got a pair of scissors from the bathroom and worked the top edge of the platform loose from its wood frame. He gripped one end, flipped it over and pointed to the contents inside. Selange looked down and couldn’t believe her eyes. Inside the base of the bed were stacks on stacks of hundreds. It filled the entire inside of their custom-ordered super-king size bed.

  Alfonzo winked, “When I gave you the house I bet you didn’t realize you were sleeping on stacks, did you?”

  “No idea.” She picked up one of the bundles of cash and sighed, “whew, it’s a relief to know you’re looking out.”

  “I’m always looking out for my family.” Alfonzo pat her ass, kissed the top of her head and asked, “Feel better about the money situation, babe?”

  The woman he loved gazed at him with such tenderness his eyes hurt under the intensity of the emotion he saw in them. When she said, “What I feel better about is having my man back,” Alfonzo nodded, “I don’t think I ever really left.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The press conference started twenty minutes late. The reporters jockeyed for position, cameras, microphones and questions at the ready for Senator Liebowitz. Yei heard reporters discussing the Senator’s connection to organized crime, a newsworthy scandal of epic proportions considering the magnitude of the alleged crimes and the multiple players involved. The Speaker of the House of Ethics, a Congressman, Federal Judges, and even Wall Street executives rumored to have participated in many of these crimes. It was a huge story, an embarrassment to law enforcement and the United States government.

  The question spiraling among the inquisitive reporters was how was the indictment of businessman billionaire Alfonzo Diaz linked to it all? There was speculation he helped fund many of the political campaigns with illegal contributions under bogus companies and those who boldly opined, he was the new face of organized crime cloaked in legitimacy.

  Yei listened to these whispered conversations as she tested her camera and waited patiently outside the federal courthouse for the Senator to appear. There was movement from the tinted glass doors, followed by a bull rush to the stairs by reporters as the Senator emerged surrounded by court officers, her press secretary and others from her legal team.

  The questions were fired like cannons before she reached the first step.

  “Senator Liebowitz, is it true you tipped off mob figures to raids scheduled by law enforcement?”

  “Senator, did you take bribes to secure government contracts with companies with alleged affiliations to organized crime?”

  “Senator…Senator…have you ever met privately with Alfonzo Diaz?”

  Senator Liebowitz ran a finger through her stylish bob, as cameras flashed and answered their questions with a curt, “These allegations are false, made by a desperate man facing murder charges.”

  “But Senator isn’t it true your daughter was a former college roommate of an alleged crime boss?”

  The Senator didn’t skip a beat, “In college, as most of you know, we come in contact with different people. If that’s the basis of this investigation it certainly appears I’m being targeted through vicarious association.”

  The questions continued coming and the middle-age woman in the smart blue suit seemed prepared for them all. Yei smirked, the Senator’s lawyer hadn’t said a word. Senator Liebowitz held her ground with the media sharks.

  Yei raised her camera. The viewfinder box framed the Senator’s face and she adjusted the zoom lens. She could see the woman’s pores, even the deep wrinkles at the corner of her eyes. A perfect close-up.

  She tapped the button and the camera made a soft whizzing noise. The Senator clutched her throat then fell backward into one of the court officers. Shock and a brief silence came after. Once the surprise wore off there were shrieks of fear. Blood poured from the Senator’s neck and pandemonium ensued. People began running, ducking and seeking shelter from an unseen gunman. Yei stayed with the panicked crowd then separated from the herd at the first opportunity. The artificial blonde in nondescript clothing then faded from view.

  ****

  Nico concentrated and twirled the pencil in his mouth with his teeth as he stared at the blue-print. He could get in through the service entrance; maybe use the rear stairwell to the third floor, but not a good idea. There were cameras. They were certain to have eyes there, too. He considered another possibility then scratched that as well, it’d been done and the feds guarding Gregorio would expect it.

  He snapped the pencil with his teeth and flopped back on the firm mattress in frustration. Shit!

  He needed a diversion of some kind, something not obvious. Crap! This is when he wished Vincent were here. Twin heads were definitely more creative than one. He spit the broken pencil out his mouth and thought of something else. Thinking too hard, he told himself, keep it simple. He shut his eyes and saw his boys; they were in high school, the hardest place to be when you’re a teenager. The peer pressure, drinking, smoking and girls. He worried about Aaron; he was the high-strung one and had a quick temper. Darren possessed maturity beyond his years. He was a level-headed kid and studious. He’d do fine but Aaron, he needed his dad around to keep the attitude in check.

  Nico rubbed the stubble on his chin, stroking it while thinking about Ariana. Man, she hadn’t wasted any time finding a replacement, had she? Nico bet she didn’t tell her new beau about her ex’s occupation, why else would he still be around? Darren told him all about the nerdy guy.

  “He’s not even funny dad. He makes corny jokes and tries too hard. I don’t know why he just can’t like mom and stop trying to be our friend?”

  He wanted to tell his son, “Because he’s trying to get some ass from your mom on a regular basis and if you boys start giving him flack it might hinder his objective,” but of course he didn’t say this aloud. Uh-uh, Ariana would flip. Then, his thoughts wandered to Selange and the deep breath he took was to calm the sudden boom…boom…boom of his chest. How the hell could he not think about her, huh? She was now the mother of his children, as well. He watched her give birth and it was the most glorious thing ever, holding the tiny creations a precious gift to a hardened man. All of his children were. He missed out the first time, Ariana’s family was there but he was away doing what he’s ordered to do…kill. When he made it to New York, the babies were two months old. She hadn’t been pissed, no, instead she wrapped her arms around him, made him feel at home with her special tea and filled him in on everything he missed.

  Selange asked why he hadn’t fought for Ariana and the truth is he wanted to but somewhere in his bones he’d given up. The boys were teenagers and she’d done most of the raising without him. She never needed him, at least she never said she did. Selange said it
, told him with her kisses and those soft innocent eyes. She made him feel wanted and needed. Ariana didn’t treat him that way anymore. Maybe, it’s why he let her leave; she was already out the door. He saw Ariana’s face, bold and fierce. The anger was hurt disguised. She’d witnessed his love for another woman and faced him like a General. She put up her chin, stared him down without fear and marched with her troops out the door. Goddammit, Selange was right, he should have fought and blocked her retreat. What he realized now as he mulled it over was she wanted to leave with her dignity. Man, he should’ve apologized, made love to her with every goddamn thing he had to change her mind, but he hadn’t. Why the hell did it take so long for him to recognize Ariana was the warrior and it’s her type of love he needed. Selange was for a different type of man, one who would pamper her and stay put. He wasn’t right for the young woman, she’d get angry at his disappearances, she’d want what he couldn’t give and that’s stability. Ariana didn’t require those things, she simply wanted him and took the broken pieces that came with it. Ah, you dumb sonovabitch, why’d you let your warrior go?

  Honor Vincent’s memory and honor yourself, finish this job and find out if there’s anything to salvage with Ariana before she ends up marrying a dumb nerd. She knows that isn’t her type!

  His eyelids squeezed tightly together then suddenly sprang apart. He rolled over and snatched the mini-laptop from the beat-up wood stand. He sat cross-legged with the device between his thighs and started punching keys. Hack, the shit, he told himself, access the hotel cameras and take a peek.

  The focus returned, he should’ve thought of this hours ago. Once he got in to the mainframe, he searched for weaknesses. The computer program language was in C++. This gave him a smug satisfaction because this language was rife with security hazards. He cracked the source code and from there it was smooth sailing. Firewalls and spy deterrent software was a waste of money if companies failed to regularly test for security vulnerabilities.

  He peered at the screen, then made a circular motion with his finger, scrolling around for a close-up of the lobby.

  “Um,” he mumbled then typed in some numbers and zeroed in on the hallway.

  Outside the hotel room where Gregorio hid, were two men in dark suits. He zoomed in and one of the faces brought an expletive. “Fucking Hell, Agent Christopher Hernandez, my boy Franky the undercover asshole!”

  The undercover agent had infiltrated Alfonzo’s organization a few years ago. This became interesting since the agent was now in the mix. He always wanted a shot at the poser, now he’d get his chance. Anyway, turns out the two-faced sonovabitch helped save Alfonzo and Selange from a hit squad and Alfonzo put the word out to let the bastard live. There were problems with that order, firstly, to get at Gregorio, Nico had to take-out the agent. Secondly, he itched to kill the sonovabitch for putting Selange in danger. Yep, this was payback. Alfonzo gave the agent a pass, Nico planned to veto the shit!

  He checked the time; the day ran fast and soon he had to act. Gregorio was scheduled to give a deposition in two days. Nico figured he’d sit tight one more day, then tomorrow night after the kinks got worked out of his plan, he’d complete the job. The hotel was right next door to the apartment Nico occupied, courtesy of the heroin addicted tenant lying dead in the gutter.

  Nico took a break to chow down on a hero sandwich and drank his beer. He propped his feet on the sofa to watch a morning talk show. He chuckled at the insanity on TV. Man leaves his job in finance to pursue a dream to become a porn star, really? Suddenly, at the bottom of the dirty screen a BREAKING NEWS banner scrolled across it. The show changed to an active crime scene image. There were swarms of reporters talking excitedly in the background along with police activity.

  “…Ladies and gentleman, it appears Senator Liebowitz suffered a fatal gunshot wound as we’re told. Once again, Senator Liebowitz was assassinated this morning during a press conference here in Washington, D.C. at ten-twenty three a.m.”

  The beer waited near Nico’s mouth. Holy shit, the timing couldn’t get any worse. Based on this, the feds were going to move Gregorio as fast as they could. Nico cursed, now he had to move up his plan. He had to whack Gregorio, tonight!

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Maria arrived ready to take over. She didn’t waste much time commandeering Allie from Anita or scolding Selange for cradling the babies when they cried and wagged a finger for emphasis, “No, you will be exhausted doing this. Check their diaper and if it’s good and they’ve eaten then you let them cry sometimes. If you don’t they’ll become demanding. You forget these things?”

  “No, Nana Maria. I haven’t forgotten.”

  “Good.” She sat on the window bench and folded her hands watching her former daughter-in-law sadly. The young woman made a terrible mistake. Aye, Alfonzo’s neglect caused her to seek comfort outside the marriage. If only, she had come to her, she would have given Selange spiritual advice. But, it was too late for that now. Her son was an unforgiving and proud man. Divorcing Selange was his retribution and he was probably up to his old philandering ways. Aye!

  “Does my son come and help with Allie and Sal?”

  Selange was changing little Vincent’s pamper, “Of course he does.”

  “Good.”

  Selange smiled at the quiet infant. She swore the boy looked straight at her and smiled a bubble of spit right back. She touched his small toes, marveling at how soft and tiny they were, wishing his dad could see how much he’d grown in a matter of weeks. The last conversation she had with Nico was eight days ago. He checked in on them, said he got the e-mail pictures and thanked her. He promised to visit and that’s the last she heard from him. She guessed he was on assignment. She’d known from the start he was like the wind and it wouldn’t last. Nico wasn’t meant to stay in one place, the wind never does.

  Maria appeared silently at Selange’s side, she peered at the little boy. He had such an adorable face. She squint, this baby had a face just like her son at the same age. Maria seized her rosary beads in shock. The action caused her former daughter-in-law to turn with a worried expression. “Are you okay?”

  Maria swallowed; her mind racing with possibilities. Was Selange certain…absolutely…one hundred percent correct these babies were not Alfonzo’s? This boy was the splitting image of Alfonzo.

  Afraid to insult the young woman she said nothing. Instead, she lifted the child and held him to her breast. She rubbed his back, remembering how happy she was holding her son like this and finally commented. “I’m fine…it’s just I’m glad to be here. I really missed los ninos y tú.”

  ‘We missed you too…” Selange replied then hugged Maria from the side, “I’m glad you’re here. I really am.”

  Maria smiled, “Go, finish your work. I’ll watch the babies.”

  “Are you sure, you just came, you don’t want to rest or eat anything?”

  “I’m fine.” She pointed to the comfortable daybed in the corner of the spacious nursery. “I think I’ll bunk in here with the babies during my visit. This way you get a break at night.”

  “Oh, that’ll make Allie upset. She wants you to herself.”

  “She can sleep here, there’s enough room. Don’t worry, I can handle Aldonz.”

  Selange didn’t argue with the woman, although she found it odd she preferred staying in the nursery instead of the guest room. She’d changed Alfonzo’s former office into a spare bedroom and it was right next door.

  They needed the space and since she hadn’t expected him to return she went ahead and made some renovations. Shanda’s the one who suggested it and she actually put her friend in charge of the furnishings. At the time Selange wasn’t interested in doing much of anything except moping, sleeping and eating. The best thing about friends are they sometimes surprise you when you least expect it. Shanda, bless her heart, did an amazing job with the decorations. Thinking on it brought a smile; her friend did have good taste.

  “Alright, but the guest room’s there if you change
your mind.”

  “Si, gracias.”

  The second Selange departed, Maria carried Vincent to the window seat, rummaged through her purse for Alfonzo’s baby picture then held it near Vincent’s cheek.

  “Aye, Madre de Dios!” She exclaimed.

  This could not be. She was looking at a replica of baby Alfonzo. She needed to get proof. DNA. Yes, she’d get the proof then confront the young woman with it.

  ****

  Alfonzo read Selange’s text message as he exited the U.S. District courthouse in Hato Rey flanked by his attorney’s. The sun struck the screen and he donned his shades then returned to his ex-wife’s notification alert about his mom’s arrival. He frowned, great, just what he needed. It’s only a matter of time before she popped over to give him a stern lecture about his lifestyle. He could hear her sanctimonious speech, “Pray hijo. It’s never too late to find salvation.”

  He’d heard this and similar statements for years. Eversince his divorce from Selange her sermons were on the topic of forgiveness and family. The latter no longer applied. In a way, it’s good she came. Selange could use another set of hands. Allie required someone to dote on her and curb those temper-tantrums.

  The attorney took the lead when he saw the reporters rushing forward. Alfonzo quickly messaged Selange. The judge released him on a fifty k bail until trial. Alfonzo omitted the real cost of his freedom was around one million dollars. The cash sat in the trunk of the judge’s car at this very moment, awaiting the fat bastard’s pudgy hands!

  Yeah, Vincent taught him a lot. Leave no stones unturned.

  He listened to the attorney’s answer the reporters’ questions, as his eyes focused on a tinted car rolling to the curb. Alfonzo’s attention flicked to his driver. Lou must’ve noticed the car, too and emerged from his vehicle and took a curbside position in preparation. There were uniformed officers nearby and anyone stupid enough to take a shot at Alfonzo wouldn’t get far.