Reverse Metamorphosis book one of the Irrevocable Change trilogy

by R. E. Schobernd

  A second voice spoke up “Anna, just tell us there won’t be anymore incidents like this and we will take you at your word. Tony has always been a man of his word and I expect, since you are handling the operation and speaking for him, you will be also.”

  There was silence for a short space of time, then Anna spoke softly but with authority and in full control of the situation. “I appreciate the predicament last nights incident has placed you in. I can assure you the visible and public portion of eliminating the opposition is over. A few additional people will disappear over the next few weeks, but they will be out of the public’s sight. I have dealt with the parties who attempted to kill my husband in one decisive act instead of engaging in a prolonged and highly visible gang war where citizens would be at risk. I fully understand the pressure on the rest of you; but remember; it was my families name smeared through out those newspaper articles this morning, not yours. Yes, you were mentioned, but we are bearing the full weight of the speculation and public outcry. It is also in our best interest to not have a repeat of last nights incident. However, I don’t know of any other way the Russian gang leaders could have been handled, do you?”

  “And now,” she continued without pause, “If you don’t mind, I will move on to another issue. Joey Tadono and four of his top men were picked up this morning by the police and interrogated for several hours; my attorneys have secured their release in the last hour. I am sure other members of our group will also be picked up for questioning. We will continue to be closely watched and investigated for the next six months. The police and prosecutor's office will be hampering our movements and with Tony in the hospital it would be a perfect time for the other families to attempt to encroach on our territory. I am asking the three of you, having the largest positions and being the most influential, to consider cautioning the other boss’ against making ANY moves against our family. If we are placed in the position of fending off another takeover there will be additional incidents rivaling last night’s in both scale and violence; I am fully capable of defending what is mine.”

  Clay could tell the three men were all caught off guard by the choking and stuttering sounds they were making. All three men attempted to talk at once, until one voice spoke above the rest and took the lead. “I don’t know whether to feel like we, and the other families, have just been cautioned, or threatened. Since you have not been involved with us on this level in the past, we…” there was a slight pause in the dialog as the man apparently queried the other two men “will make allowances and assume you are not making a direct threat against us. We will ensure your territory remains intact and untouched by anyone in Chicago.”

  Clay could hear movement in the other room and assumed the men were standing up, preparing to leave.

  “Thank you Anna, for meeting with us this morning,” one of the men was saying. “By the way Anna, we are hearing about a young man who planned and led the raid on the Russians. You might not be aware, but we always keep this type of work within the family, using outsiders is dangerous and Tony knows better.”

  “He is simply a close and talented family friend who chose to lend a hand when I needed help. I didn’t know who else to go to because I don’t feel Joey Tadono could have been successful. However if there is any indiscretion in using him it was mine, and I apologize. But, being a close family friend, he will be available to us again if the need should ever arise.”

  “Anna, Anna. Why do I feel I may have just been threatened again? You’re one tough broad. No other woman I know could have taken Tony’s place and held her own the way you have. Congratulations Anna. But let me caution YOU! We are not in the habit of tolerating such disrespect. Don’t do it again; this is a flat out warning and the only one you will receive. And tell your Mr. Albrecht, since he did do an outstanding job for Tony, his being an outsider will be overlooked. If he had failed, you, he and Tony would all have suffered. You look surprised that I would know his name Anna; I would not be in control if I did not have my fingers on everything in Chicago, would I? Good Day Anna.”

  Clay heard the front door close behind the three men and stepped into the hallway as Anna came toward him.

  “You heard?” she asked.

  “Yes, I heard it all.”

  “Well, what do you think? Will they leave me alone or try to move in?”

  Clay grinned and chuckled. “Unless they’re the dumbest bastards in the city they won't even drive through Tony's territory. I think you were just tough enough and aggressive enough for them to know where they stand. They’re not used to being threatened, especially by a woman.”

  “Good, it’s what I was striving for. Now, will you escort me to Wisconsin to visit my husband? I spoke with John and Adrianna this morning and both were able to get flights to Milwaukee early this evening. They'll meet us at the hospital. I would like to get there first to fill Tony in on the details of last night before the kids arrive. You know how John hates any talk about the family business. He has never accepted being the off spring of criminals; although he didn’t object loudly when we paid for seven years of college, including an Ivy League law school and a lavish wedding to Miss Hoity Toity Meredith.”

  “Sure, I’ll drive you there. We can discuss how the businesses will be reactivated in the near term and how the last recruits of the Russians will be dealt with. The notoriety caused by last night is going to make it difficult, but with a little guidance I know Joey can clean up the loose ends.” Changing the subject, Clay addressed her again, “I am concerned about two things I heard earlier in your meeting.. What’s this about not using outsiders, and if I had failed all of us would have suffered? ”

  Anna smiled, “One of Cosa Nostra’s principle rule’s is what happens within the group stays there and outsiders are not permitted a look at the inner workings. I knew I was taking a big risk using you but decided it was necessary. I didn’t explain it to you because I wanted your full attention devoted to being successful. But if you had failed all three of us would have been killed; probably by Joey and several of his friends.”

  Clay took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, irritated by the fact Anna had put his life in jeopardy without even mentioning it to him.

  Before leaving he called Margaret to tell her the danger was over and he would be coming back home. “Hi Mom, I’m fine and I’ll be home in the next day or so.”

  Margaret had already seen the account of the shootings in the morning newspaper.

  “Clayton, have you read this mornings newspaper? I’m sure those Gilianos are responsible for all those killings. My God! How can you even stand to be in the same house as those people? They obviously have little or no value for human life.”

  Clay let her comments pass by without comment. “Mom, I’ll be home later or tomorrow and then I’ll be going to the union hall to sign up for work, gotta go.” Rather than have a prolonged argument with her he said, “I love you” and hung up the phone. He did love and respect his mother, but he had drifted out of her and Walters neatly little compartmentalized world. It was becoming necessary for him to let some distance develop between them; especially for their sake. He didn’t want to lie to either of his parents, but also couldn’t tell them the truth about some of his choices.

  Clay had to admit his way of looking at life had changed immensely since Jimmy’s death. He had made decisions to cause his mom and dad to be totally ashamed of him. They believed in a legal and lawful morality which did not include the people he had chosen to associate with, nor acceptance of their harsh and direct methods of dealing with situations.

  Chapter 11

  During the drive to Wisconsin he and Anna fell into a conversation about her children and the children‘s opinion of their parents.

  “John Anthony,” Anna was saying “was kept isolated from any knowledge of the nature of his fathers work until after he entered grade school. The first few years, from first grade to third grade weren’t a big problem. There was an occasional incident when some child said some
thing hurtful, but we were able to explain them away. Then, starting in about the fourth grade he started being taunted with names and accusations the other kids heard expressed by some of their parents. He is our only child who had a big problem accepting what his father does. I guess in many ways I’m part of the problem, because I grew up in this life style and don’t remember a time when I wasn’t aware of what my father did. It just wasn’t a big deal to me. I guess I didn’t expect it to matter to my kids either”

  “Adrianna and Jimmy didn’t make it a big thing either. Oh hell, there were times when they were confused by things people said or what they heard on the television evening news shows. But after dealing with John we were starting to be more open about all of it. I don’t mean we talked at the supper table each day about who was beaten up or how many people had been killed, but we didn’t deny each and every accusation either. I don’t claim this is the best environment for raising kids, but it’s what Tony and I had been raised in and it’s what both of us know.”

  “One of the biggest hurdles was in reconciling Tony’s business dealings with the teachings of the church. We went to mass almost every Sunday and listened to sermons opposing the very life style we live. The priest, monsignors and bishops all know what Tony’s business is and have never refused the donations we’ve made over the years. All of this seemed to pass right over Adrianna and Jimmy; but John was constantly questioning all of it. I guess somehow his genes were formed different from the rest of us, and he suffers constantly with it.”

  Clay had been silent, listening and thinking of his own situation. “My mom and I are getting into the same situation. She thinks I shouldn’t have anything to do with your family. In all honesty I understand why. What I did last night isn’t something I want to brag about to other people I know and have respect for. But at the same time I accept the level of morality it’s on, the risk, and the danger involved. I’m very confused about my feelings; my conscience I guess. How am I accepting what several years ago I could not have defended to my mom and step dad if the subject had come up? I’m not sure I’ll ever understand all of this. But, I do know being involved in the deaths of people I feel deserve to die because of their willful actions doesn’t bother me”

  They rode in silence the rest of the trip, each engrossed in their own thought; each wondering how they managed to exist in the midst of a majority society where there was no acceptance of them or their ways.

  Clay was thinking of his relationship with his own family. Who in their group could understand and accept his orchestration of so many deaths. He wanted to believe it was over and would never happen again. But, a month ago he had not thought he would ever again be put in the position of needing to kill anyone. Then, Tony was shot and a situation evolved in which he was called upon to rescue close friends. Close friends! He had never really been close to Tony and Anna prior to Jimmy’s death. He had formed a bond with Tony afterward only because of his actions. But were they really close friends? He visited Tony at the bar and talked mainly about things important to Tony. They seldom did other things close friends do; like go out to eat, go to a ball game or go hunting or fishing. Theirs was more like a business relationship, only no business ties existed.

  And what about Anna? Until Jimmy’s death she had been the mother of a friend; a person who symbolized parental authority over her children. She projected a persona of being beautiful, kind, generous, well mannered and impeccably attired. But as he reviewed incidents during the years he had known her, he recognized a coldness in her manner he had overlooked, or maybe had not wanted to see. In some instances he now recalled, she was ruthless. He remembered several times when she had responded in Jimmy’s defense, although Jimmy was clearly in the wrong. She attacked a wronged child or adult with a fierceness he now recognized to be excessive and unwarranted.

  At the hospital the night Tony was shot, Anna had not given him the opportunity to decide his own involvement in the matter. The role of avenger had been thrust upon him with no options. She had assumed, correctly, he would do as he was told. During the following weeks of planning she had repeatedly checked the progress of his planning with very subtle and discreet inquiries. So subtle and discreet at the time he was not aware it was she, as much as he, who had directed the planning. If she had enlisted an older experienced gang member, such as Joey, to assist her, she would not have been allowed the control she could maintain over a young inexperienced person like himself. Her dealings with the mob bosses was another indicator of her ability to manipulate others; taking control even where she seemed to be out numbered and without recognized authority. He wondered briefly if Joey was the person responsible for passing his name up the mob hierarchy.

  He glanced across the car to Anna. She had reclined the back rest of the leather seat and dozed off. He wondered if her trip to his bed last night was a true ‘thank you’, or merely an assurance he would be in her debt in the future if another need arose. He decided whatever her motive had been she was a good lay. Maybe he was getting too melancholy for his own good; he turned his attention back to his driving and continued the trip in silence.

  When they entered Tony’s hospital room he was sitting up in bed, propped up by half a dozen pillows. The television was tuned to a Chicago station and the evening news was on. A young blonde reporter in her early twenties was just finishing a piece on the previous night's gangland shootings. In a high pitched whining voice she stated she was horrified the police still allowed such things to happen in her city. Anna went to Tony, gave him a hug and a kiss, and motioned for Clay to turn the television off. Clay turned to the guard and motioned for him to move out into the hallway.

  Anna sat on the edge of Tony’s bed and held his left hand. Clay pulled a chair up next to the bed and sat down as he nodded an acknowledgement to Tony.

  Tony slid his left hand out of Anna’s grasp and extended it to Clay. As the two men clasp hands in trust and friendship Tony said “I’ve been watching your handiwork on TV all day; the stations keep cutting in with special reports to update and give more details on the hit. It was quite a show. The fire bombs were an original touch; no fingerprints and very few clues left. Hell, they can’t even identify the bodies. Thanks kid, I owe you again. Now, when are you going to stop being so stubborn and let me start repaying you for all you’ve done for me?”

  “You don’t owe me for anything Tony. I helped my friends because there was a need and friends take care of each other. I’m positive a time will come when I’ll need help and you’ll come to my aid.” Clay was thinking to himself, even though Anna felt she had paid him in full, her contribution had just been a damn good down payment. She obviously put a much higher value on a piece of her unfaithful ass than he did.

  “Enough, you two,” Anna spoke up, “Clay, please leave us alone for twenty minutes or so. I have a lot of issues to discuss with Tony before the kids get here.”

  Tony motioned for Anna to lean closer and asked, “Is everything under control with Ricarddi and the other bosses?”

  “Yes, they reacted as I thought they would; upset but caught off balance by my attitude toward them. Being a woman has certain advantages when dealing with those old loons.”

  “Be careful Anna, those old guys are in control; one word from them and people can disappear in a heartbeat; you know how it is.”

  Clay rose from the chair and Anna moved over to sit in it as he left the room. The guards outside in the corridor provided directions to the cafeteria and said the food was decent. At the elevator he stood waiting for the car to take him down past the entrance level to the service areas. When the lighted switch signaled the car was approaching his floor he stepped forward to board as soon as the doors opened. As a space was opening between the two stainless steel doors he was greeted by the vision of a stunningly beautiful young lady. Long black hair, green eyes, a dark smooth complexion; tall for a woman, wrapped in a tailored black business suit. He stood there with his mouth open, blocking her from exiting the car.


  She smiled and offered a greeting upon recognizing the friend of her deceased brother. “Clay! Hi, I haven’t seen you since I was home over two years ago. How are you?”

  “I’m fine, and I can see you are too. My God, you’re even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.” He could see by the blush on her cheeks he was embarrassing her with his babbling and tried to change the subject. “I just left your Mom and Dad; we just got here and Anna asked to be alone for a little while. I’m headed to the cafeteria; will you join me for something to eat or drink?”

  “Yes” Adriana replied, “I am a bit hungry.”

  He entered the elevator, pushed the button for the basement level, and the car began its decent.

  “This ordeal has been hard on Mother and I’m sure she needs more time with Father than she'll get with John, Meredith and I here to visit. On the telephone she said Father is doing well and she expects him to be released soon to return home.” She hesitated before continuing, “I picked up a paper at the airport when I arrived and saw an article about a huge gang related killing in Chicago. Does it have anything to do with the danger to us visiting being over?”

  The elevator car doors opened and they exited, following the directions Clay had been given to the cafeteria.

  Clay looked at Adrianna and answered her, “Yes, it was related to your father’s injuries.”

  Inside the cafeteria they got in line behind three hospital employees. They each picked out food items, putting them on a stainless steel tray. As Clay paid for the meal she found a table away from the few other people in the dining area.