Stormcrow: Book Two: Birds of a Feather

by N. C. Reed

  “You can't do that!” the Voice demanded. “That will ruin everything!”

  “Not my problem,” Falcone replied casually. “We made a deal, and I'll keep it. Falcone's word is always good. We never said nothin' 'bout what shape she was in when I let her go. I'll send her back in pieces. Might even still be alive they get her quick enough,” she added coldly.

  “If this ruins the deal, then there's no money,” the Voice informed her flatly.

  “Didn't do it for money,” Falcone told him. “Be nice to have but I can get by without it, needs be. Don't call me back 'less you got something important to say.” With that she cut the call short.

  “You really gonna cut 'er up, ma?” one of the young men lounging in the room with her asked.

  “Yep,” Terase Falcone nodded. “I really am. Her grandfather sent my uncle back to my family in a box. Her old man probably helped do it. What did I raise you about that, boy?”

  “Blood for blood,” the man nodded.

  “Right,” Terase nodded again. “Don't go gettin' soft on me, boy,” she warned. “I won't put up with it.”

  “Did any of us look soft this morning, ma?” Another spoke up. Her oldest son. He had put the bullet in the Delgado pawn on the floor that the girl had been crying over.

  “That was this mornin',” his mother snorted. “You stay that way, we'll come outta this just fine. Where's Jamie?” she asked, looking for the youngest of her four sons.

  “Gone to the restaurant to get us some food,” Sonny, her oldest, replied. “Got you some lasagna,” he added.

  “Good boy.”

  -

  “That don't sound like much,” Tony mused as Freddy finished. In truth it was way more than he'd expected to get from the man, and much faster. Good help was hard to find these days.

  “That's all I know,” Freddy sobbed. “They was gonna contact me when they got the money. I was only supposed to call them if something happened.”

  “How was you supposed to call them, Freddy?” Tony asked. The terrified man rattled off a com address.

  “It's a restaurant called Rigotta's. I met them there before,” he added helpfully.

  “And the boss was a woman?” Tony frowned.

  “Older woman, and mean,” Freddy nodded frantically. “Cold. Harsh even. Got a bad hate for you Delgados, too. Said it was something from way back and she wanted some payback.”

  “Why my sister?” Tony demanded. “She couldn't have hurt anyone.”

  “Easy target,” Freddy said without thinking. “Easier to get to, easier to deal with. And worth more, money wise,” he added.

  “Well, Freddy, that sounds a lot like everything you know,” Tony sighed. “Sean, what you think?”

  “Sounds like it,” Sean nodded. “Surprised an idiot like him knew that much,” he added, his face betraying nothing.

  “I'm not an idiot!” Freddy shot back.

  “You're a useful idiot,” Tony corrected. “They used you, and you don't even know who 'they' are. You're going to die protecting them and they didn't even make you a real member of their family. You're a loser Freddy.”

  “But I told you everything I know!” Freddy protested as Tony raised his pistol again. “There's nothing else I can do for you!” he said, not realizing he was putting the period on his own life.

  “That's true,” Tony nodded and pulled the trigger twice.

  And Freddy Parmano died like that, hanging from the ceiling of an abandoned factory. Never having been noted for being anything but a loser.

  “Where to now?” Sean asked, even as Tony left a message for whoever found Freddy's body.

  “Whether he knew it or not, Freddy gave me some useful information,” Tony told him, using a common stiletto to pin the 'note' to Freddy's dead body.

  “Yeah?” Sean asked as the two got into the car.

  “Yeah,” Tony nodded, starting the vehicle and moving out. “He mentioned a restaurant that he met them in, remember? Rigotta's? Just so happens, an old, old enemy of my grandfather owned that place. Probably still does. So, I think we'll head over there and have supper. What you think?”

  “I could eat.”

  -

  “Well this is the place,” Linc said, looking at the sign.

  “Net reviews say this place has some of the best food around here,” Meredith nodded.

  “Rigotta's,” Faulks noted, reading the sign. “Reminds me o' something,” she murmured.

  “Yeah?” Linc looked at her.

  “Don't know what,” she shook her head. “Maybe it'll come to me,” she shrugged.

  “Well, how 'bout we eat, while we wait,” Meredith smiled. “Lets go.” The foursome entered and was soon seated by the hostess who took their drink order, showed them the menu interface, and promised the waiter would be with them shortly.

  “Nice place,” Jessica noted.

  “Sure is,” Lincoln agreed. The place had a very old world feel, he decided. Soft light lamps along the wall gave illumination without being overly bright, and the décor had more wood than most places bothered with these days. Even the seats looked like the genuine article, as did the bar.

  “Like something outta the movies,” Faulks noted.

  “Was just thinking that,” Linc nodded. “And this menu has some great looking items on it, too,” he added.

  “Hey, look!” Jessica said suddenly.

  -

  “I see a problem,” Sean said as he followed Tony inside.

  “What?”

  “Look,” he nodded. Tony followed his gaze to see the rest of the Celia's crew sitting at a table by the window. Jessica looked on the verge of waving to them.

  “No way they didn't see us,” Sean sighed.

  Tony looked right at Jessica and shook his head subtly. Slowly. Maintaining eye contact the whole time. He touched his lips with an index finger in a move that would look casual to anyone who happened to be looking their way.

  -

  “Wait,” Jessica said softly. “Don't wave, or call out,” she added when Lincoln turned at her announcement. “Don't look over there, either.”

  “What?” Meredith asked, turning in spite of the warning. “Is that-”

  “Don't,” Jessica repeated, her voice a little too icy, Lincoln thought. “Tony doesn't want anyone to know we know them,” she told the others. “He motioned for us to ignore them.”

  “He did?” Meredith frowned. “How-, what do you mean?”

  “Shook his head, Cap'n, and made a shush motion,” Faulks didn't miss much. “He ain't wanting us to take note of 'em. Best we don't, ma'am,” she added when Meredith started to look around again in spite of the warnings.

  “I'm still their boss,” she almost hissed.

  “They're into something, Cap'n,” Faulks said quietly. “Doc, he don't ask for stuff. He don't ask for help. But this time he did, said it was something he had to do and couldn't get out of. Whatever he's doing, I imagine we don't want no part of it. Best we do what he wants,” she recommended.

  “I want to know what's going on,” Meredith complained.

  “Mere, stop it,” Linc ordered gently, never looking up from the menu. “Whatever it is, if we need to know then he'll tell us when he can. All Tony had on his mind when he left the ship was food. If he and Sean have skipped that for whatever they have to do, it's got to be important. Now let this go and lets eat and pretend we don't know them.”

  Meredith didn't like it, but the last time she'd ignored Linc's advice, things had gone badly and could have ended much worse. That in mind she did as he said, though clearly not wanting to.

  “Fine.”

  -

  “Girl must have got the message,” Tony whispered. “The others started to look but stopped. We're good for the moment.”

  “Look,” Sean nudged him, and then nodded to the bar where a young man with blond hair and wire rim glasses was gathering two bags from a waiter into his arms.

  “Looks a lot like the one Freddy called 'Jay', don'
t it?”

  “Yes, it does,” Tony said softly. “What are the odds?” he murmured.

  “Sometimes the stars bless us,” Sean shrugged.

  “What?” Tony looked at him, startled.

  “Sometimes the stars bless us,” Sean repeated. “What is it?”

  “My mother used to tell me that when I was a kid,” Tony said, almost accusingly.

  “Mine too,” Sean nodded. “Always heard it was an old saying. I guess it must be,” he shrugged again. Tony looked at him with suspicion for a moment longer, but then returned his attention to 'Jay', who was headed through the restaurant for the door on the other side of the building.

  “We need to back out nice and easy so we don't attract attention,” Tony said suddenly.

  “Table for two?” a young woman asked suddenly.

  “Not just yet,” Sean managed to answer even as Tony hit the door behind them. “We were supposed to meet our party here, but we haven't seen them yet. We can't contact them, either. We'll have to see what the holdup is.”

  “Okay,” she smiled. “We're open until eleven tonight!” she said brightly.

  “Hopefully we won't be that late,” Sean smiled disarmingly and turned away. If nothing else, they could always try and get the others to say they were supposed to meet there but got the times wrong. That would probably hold up.

  Once outside Sean circled the building looking for Tony. His friend wasn't in a good frame of mind right now and there was no telling what he might do if left unsupervised. While his family obviously had power on this planet, that didn't always mean anything. He knew that from bitter experience.

  He also realized that he would have to watch what he said, as well. He'd never thought about Antonia Delgado teaching her children anything from their home world. Obviously, she had, and he should have thought of it. He was getting soft.

  The sound of a struggle drew him to an alleyway and he rounded the corner to see Tony standing over the young blonde man, gun in hand. The other man, 'Jay', was on the ground, bleeding from the scalp. Even as Sean made his way to him, Tony was rifling the pockets of the other man. He removed a handgun and keys from the semi-conscious man's pockets.

  “Here,” Tony said, handing the gun and the keys to his own car to Sean. “Help me get him in the trunk,” he ordered. Stowing the gun behind his belt, Sean did as asked.

  “Get my car and follow me,” he told Sean. “The auto driver knows the way, just wait for it to boot and say 'quarry'. It will show you the route.”

  “Got it,” Sean told him, not showing any irritation.

  “I'm pretty sure this guy can help us,” Tony told him, already moving. “Hurry,” he urged. “When he doesn't turn up, his family will be looking for him.”

  Sean hurried back to the car and was soon on his way, Tony already gone with their prize.

  -

  Roberto Delgado was pacing the floor in what he called his 'office' when Marisa came to get him.

  “Your mother wishes to see you, Mister Robert,” the older woman told him.

  “What does she want?” Roberto snapped at her.

  “She did not inform me of that, Mister Robert,”

  “Tell her I'm busy!” he demanded.

  “I will not,” the older woman said evenly. “I have told you what she said. Those were my instructions. I will inform her that I have done so.” With that she closed the door before the oldest Delgado offspring could speak again.

  Roberto cursed the woman behind the closed door. She was too arrogant by half, depending on her association with his mother to protect her. Well, his mother wouldn't always be in a position to protect her, and when she wasn't. . . .

  Until then however, appearances must be maintained. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself and then stalked to his mother's study, where she conducted her own business. He knocked, heard a soft reply, and opened the door, stepping inside. His mother was seated behind her desk, regal and composed. Except for her eyes, he noted. Her eyes were like ice.

  “Roberto,” Antonia pointed to a chair. “We must speak. Rather I will speak, and you will listen. Sit.”

  He sat. Just to maintain appearances, he told himself.

  “There are a few things that must be set straight, I think,” his mother leaned back in her seat slightly, looking at him. “Important things.”

  “Is now the time for that, mother?” Roberto asked. “With Lucia missing and Antonio doing God knows what?”

  “Antonio is looking for your sister, my son,” Antonia's voice dropped another degree. “Which is more than I can say for you. And he is not the issue I wish to discuss.”

  “He's interfering in a police investigation!” Roberto exclaimed. “What if he gets her killed!”

  “The people who took her and those who helped arrange this will be responsible for her death, Roberto,” his mother told him coldly. “Any attempt to blame your brother, should the worst befall your sister, will be. . .unfortunate. Extremely so,” she added. Roberto paled at that but merely nodded in reply.

  “Your reluctance to do that which is necessary has placed your father and I in a curious position,” Antonia told him. “One which is at least partly of our own making,” she sighed.

  “You mean my reluctance to break the law?” Roberto shot back.

  “Roberto, do you think us stupid?” his mother asked him, catching him by surprise. “Do you think you can be involved in the things you have involved yourself in and us not be aware? Your dedication to 'law and order' is somewhat hypocritical, my son,” her voice held contempt for her oldest son. “You have long been 'dabbling' in issues and activities that your father has fought to keep our family clear of. I am not convinced that Lucia's kidnapping is not the result of your actions, either,” she added coldly.

  “I haven't done anythi-”

  “Roberto,” Antonia sounded as if she pitied him. “Enough. Not only are you far on the wrong side of the law you preach to us, but you are equally disloyal and harsh with this family's people. Something that no Delgado in generations has been, I remind you.”

  “We have to keep a firm hand,” Roberto tried to get himself back on track.

  “Which is not your job, ninio,” his mother shook her head. “It might have been, someday, had you turned out better,” she sighed. “But I doubt that you will ever sit in your father's chair, Roberto. Your dedication to the family is too. . .weak, my son. I do not know where your father and I went wrong, but somewhere we did. We did a poor job raising you apparently. Your actions and your attitude show that all too clearly.”

  “What do you mean, 'might have been'?” Roberto demanded, rising part way out of his chair before his mother's cold voice stopped him.

  “Sit,” she ordered him and her voice rang with such authority that he did so automatically.

  “I meant exactly what I said,” she told him once he was back in his chair. “You have made it impossible for your father to name you as his successor. You have done that, Roberto. It is you that has left him with a number of distasteful decisions to make, among them who to name as his replacement. That should not have even been a decision to make, had you shown even an ounce of courage and conviction. Instead you have chosen to pretend you are some royal dandy, dispensing orders from his castle and ruling over his people rather than leading them.”

  “What a disappointment you are to me, my son,” she sighed, shaking her head slowly.

  “I'm the disappointment?” Roberto snapped, stung by his mother's words. “Me? Antonio deserts the family and then flunks out of school, Luka is an airhead except where his precious numbers are concerned, Lucia, God protect her, cares about nothing but making sure she has the latest dress or purse or shoes, and I'm the disappointment?”

  “You fail to see it, don't you my son?” Antonia looked at him pitying. “Luka is a rare genius, Roberto. His prowess in his chosen field brings fame and honor to the family. Your sister is still mostly a child, but has shown intelligence and even promise at tim
es despite her youth. Her incentive to learn has been much less than your own, seeing as she was all but certain never to be in a position of power or authority, with you waiting in the wings. As for Antonio,” her voice hardened, “that is another matter.”

  “Of course it is,” Roberto snorted. “Your favorite can do no wrong.”

  “I have never favored him over you or your brother and sister,” his mother replied evenly. “And he did no wrong. You do not know this, but your brother did not 'flunk' out of school. He was expelled.”

  “Expelled?” Roberto rocked back at that. “He was expelled and you say he's done no wrong!”

  “He was expelled because of his connection to this family,” Antonia told him coldly. “Caught in a scheme of his roommate, punished for hiding his true identity so that the name Delgado did not cause him grief, or bring him favor. He wanted neither. But a certain scheme that his roommate concocted left him at the mercy of the school. Rather than punish the wrong doer, who has a father that is both an alumnus and a donor, they chose to blame your brother instead to protect the roommate.”

  “Your brother committed no wrong, Roberto,” she told him flatly. “It was discovered that his name was not the one he had used, and that was used as a lever against him. To protect the guilty.”

  “And he took it,” Roberto snorted in contempt.

  “To protect the family,” Antonia nodded. “Such a scandal would have undermined the work your father has done in bringing the family name to a better place in the known galaxy. Work he has undertaken for you, and to a lesser extent for Luka and Lucia. To try and make your lives better.”

  “Of course,” she continued with a voice full of scorn, “you have worked behind his back to ensure that mud continues to stick to our name regardless of his attempts to prevent it. Haven't you, my son?”

  “I-I don't know what you're talking about!” Roberto blustered.

  “Of course not,” Antonia's voice cut like a knife. “Fortunately for us, I have records of your actions,” she tossed a folder on the desk in front of her. “Go ahead,” she told him. “Have a look for yourself, my son.”