After The Fall (Book 4): Undercover

by Nees, David

  “It’s pretty straightforward,” Jason said. He looked at Frank. “I need you to connect with the FEMA guy once a week. I’ll get word to him that you’re the go-between for us. If he has any information, he’ll give it to you and you’ll pass it on to me.”

  “He can’t do that,” Ramona said. “If my father gets caught sneaking notes back and forth, the mob will beat him, or worse.”

  “No notes. It’ll be verbal communications only. There’ll be nothing to discover. The FEMA guy stops at your stand, buys a sausage, talks to you, gives you some information, you pass it on to me when I come by to collect. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

  The two finally agreed and Jason left the shop.

  It was dark as he turned down a side street. Suddenly he was struck by a blow to the back of his head. Darkness closed in as he began to fall to the ground. Strong arms grabbed him and dragged him into an ally.

  Jason’s head was swimming. He wanted to shake it to clear his vision, but his head exploded in pain when he tried. His arms were pinned back by one man. The other stood in front of him. In the faint light, Jason could make out it was Gino. He bent his angry face close to Jason.

  “Don’t pass out golden boy. I got some questions for you. I saw you sneaking through the streets last week. You said you were going camping. But you weren’t. You were doing something in town. I want to know what it was.”

  “Gino, you dumbass, I was coming back from camping.”

  Gino hit him in the stomach. Jason grunted as the air went out of him and he bent over. Gino grabbed his hair and pulled his head up.

  “Don’t get cute with me. I’ll bust you up some more. You’re up to something and I want to know what it is. What were you doing at Russo’s shop for so long this night? You two planning something? Gonna rip Tony off? Maybe he’d like to know about that.”

  Jason smiled as he caught his breath. “You tell Tony. Tell him you mugged me ‘cause I went to talk with Russo. He told me to talk with him, you dumb shit. How do you think that will go over?”

  Doubt clouded over Gino’s face.

  “Maybe this ain’t a good idea Gino,” Carlo said.

  “Damn right it ain’t,” Jason said.

  “That still don’t explain why you were sneaking around town,” Gino said. His confidence now returning.

  “I guess I, or Tony, could ask you the same question. I didn’t advertise where I’d be. You must have been doing a lot of sneaking around to find me, if you even did. For all I know you might be making that up.”

  Gino grabbed Jason’s collar. “You just admitted you were sneaking around.”

  “Walking around, coming back from the countryside.”

  “There ain’t no record of you going in or out of the city. We keep logs.”

  “If you had been paying attention, you’d know that I don’t use checkpoints. I like the sport of going around them. Don’t like the hassles.” Jason pushed back a bit against Carlo, giving himself just enough separation from Gino. “Now let me go before I hurt both of you and Tony finds out about this. You’re interfering with his plans to make more money.”

  He felt Carlo’s grip loosen. “That’s enough, Gino. We don’t want to piss Tony off.”

  “What plans are you talking about?” Gino asked.

  “If Tony wants you to know, he’ll tell you. Meanwhile fuck off and if you ever jump me again, I’ll break both of your arms.” He twisted his body and shoved Carlo off of him. “That goes for you as well. Now get the hell out of here.”

  Both men backed away.

  “This ain’t over,” Gino said. “I know you’re up to something and I’m going to find out what it is.”

  Jason watched the two men as they backed up, out of range. He thought with some concern that Gino was more right than he imagined.

  Later that week, Tony and Gino were sitting in Tony’s favorite hangout, the Baker Street Bar. He met with his crew and neighborhood people at his “reserved” table in the back.

  “Gino, you got a problem with Jason, you come to me. I didn’t make you my enforcer.”

  “Boss, something’s not right with him. He ain’t one of us.”

  Tony gave him a disdainful look. “He’s new. We got to give him a chance.”

  “He’ll never be one of us.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. We got a lot of use for guys that ain’t made. And right now, he’s earning good money and looking for ways to make more. Something you should be doing.”

  Gino shook his head.

  Tony leaned over the table to put his face closer to Gino’s. “You do what I say, you got it?”

  Gino leaned away in his seat and nodded.

  “Just like Vincent,” Tony muttered, sitting back. “You’d think we didn’t need the extra help,” he said louder. “If we’re gonna control other towns, we’ll need more guys in our crew to run things and still cover Charlotte. We need all the help we can get.” Tony waved his hand at Gino. “Now get out of here and do your job.”

  Gino left the meeting angry and determined to expose Jason. Something was up and he’d find out what it was.

  Joe sat in Big Al’s office. Big Al was pacing.

  “We got to do something about the coal problem. Nino’s not getting the job done.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “So? You can’t let that go on. We need the power. Generating electricity on a city-wide scale separates us from most of the other cities. It’s key to our success.”

  Big Al kept up his pacing. Joe always worried when Big Al paced. Bad things could happen.

  “I’m not going to put up with it. Something has to change. You got any ideas?”

  Al stopped across the desk from Joe.

  “Maybe,” Joe said.

  Big Al waited for him to continue.

  “There’s this new guy, an associate with Vincent’s crews. He’s been pretty impressive so far. According to Vincent, he’s increased their collections and gotten a new scam going that will improve earnings. Seems smart and ambitious.”

  “New guy? Maybe you should meet with him, check him out.”

  Joe nodded, happy to offer a solution and calm Al down.

  Chapter 18

  ___________________________________

  G et over to Vincent’s office right away.”

  Tony was sitting at his table in the bar. Jason had just walked in.

  “What’s up?”

  “I don’t know. When Vincent says come, you come. Now get your ass over there.”

  Jason turned to go.

  “And after you meet with him, you come back here. I want to know what’s going on. Got it?”

  Jason turned and nodded, before going out the door.

  Was his cover blown? There was no way. Jason hadn’t been going into the downtown since he’d set up the communication system using Frank and Michael. Nothing much had come of that. Jason still kept asking questions of everyone he ran into but he was getting very little additional information. The coal plant was working. It had its hiccups, but was delivering more electricity than any water mill system. He’d heard that the method for retrieving the coal was essentially a chain gang and the weak sometimes died from their labors. He’d also heard about efforts to reopen a coal mine in the Greensboro area, the Deep River mine. North Carolina was, unfortunately, not blessed with much in the way of coal deposits. Not like West Virginia, Kentucky or Tennessee, he thought.

  He tried to relax as he walked to Vincent’s office. He’d just play things out as they came to him. Hopefully Vincent’s suspicious mind hadn’t found something of substance to latch onto.

  Ears smiled at him when he entered the office.

  “Go on in, Vincent’s waiting for you.”

  Ears’ smile gave Jason some encouragement. He opened the door.

  Vincent pointed to a chair in front of his desk without speaking. Jason sat down and waited. Vincent looked at him for a long moment, his gaze neither friendly nor unfriendly. Jason couldn’t read it. He sat
still. Vincent would decide when to break the silence.

  Finally, he spoke. “Joe Nicoletti wants to talk to you. Why, I don’t know.”

  He stood up and went over to a side cabinet, poured two glasses of whiskey, and turned back to Jason.

  “I still don’t get you. You keep this fog over your past, like a veil I can’t see through. What’re you hiding? Crimes? You know that don’t mean anything to me. Something you’re not proud of? Hell, join the club.” He handed Jason his glass and took a sip. “Or is it something we shouldn’t know. Like maybe you’re working for the feds. They want to infiltrate us, find out our weaknesses. Is that it?”

  Jason returned Vincent’s gaze. He couldn’t let the man see any hint of agitation or panic.

  “Well?” Vincent asked.

  Jason shook his head. “I didn’t do much of anything important before the power went out. None of it’s relevant.” He shifted in his chair. “As far as the feds go, I heard they’re happy to have us pacify Charlotte. I hear we’re pretty well off compared to some of the other bigger cities.”

  “Where’d you hear that?”

  “Just the scuttlebutt going around. We talk with one another. I mostly listen since I’m so new.”

  “You are new, but there’s something that don’t feel right about you.”

  “I’m sorry you feel that way. Tony seems to like what I’m doing. I set up that sausage maker, Russo, so he could earn more money, I hope you like that. I’m trying. And I think Tony sees that. I can’t help I’m new, just like I can’t help I’m not Italian. Maybe that’s what doesn’t feel right to you.”

  Vincent shook his head. “We got room for non-Italians. Lots of work to do. That ain’t it.”

  He went back to his desk as if he had put the issue aside.

  “Tomorrow you go downtown to meet with Mr. Nicoletti.” Vincent gave him two pieces of paper. “This is the address of his office. And you’ll need this note to get you through the checkpoint. Be at his office at 10:00 am.”

  Jason stood up.

  “Don’t be late. When you’re done, report back to me.” Jason turned to go. “And don’t embarrass me,” Vincent called out.

  Jason left the office.

  “Going to see the big man?” Ears asked.

  “I guess it’s the assistant big man,” Jason relied.

  “Yeah. You don’t want to see Big Al. Not people like us. That usually means a major screw up and something nasty coming your way.”

  “Well I hope Big Al doesn’t join the meeting.” Jason grinned at Ears and left the office. It was helpful to have a few of the crew friendly to him.

  On the way back to Tony’s bar, he went over the development. Vincent was still suspicious and maybe a little put off by Joe wanting to meet with him. No one knew why, especially Jason. Joe’s interest could mean there was a high level focus on Hillsboro. The situation felt more dangerous, but it was a good step forward.

  When he sat down and related the conversation to Tony, the man was impressed.

  “Joe wants to talk with you. Damn, I never had a conversation with him directly. Not so’s he’d call me into his office. Looks like you’re getting popular.”

  “Shit, Tony, I’m just trying to do my job and help out…make you look good.”

  “You keep doing that.

  “I figure if I make you look good it’ll be good for the whole crew. Make you more important.”

  “It’s all about the Benjamins. Things didn’t change all that much after the power went out. We’re more in charge, don’t have to worry about the cops any more, but we still got to earn. It’s easier now in some ways since we got the other gangs under control—the local gang bangers and drug dealers.” He took a swig of coffee. “So, keep figuring out how we do that, increase our earning power, and we’ll do fine.”

  “Yeah, but Vincent still doesn’t seem to like me.”

  “Vincent don’t like strangers and you’re still one to him. He doesn’t see how you work, carry yourself, get things done. If he did, he’d like you better. Don’t worry about him. If we keep our earnings up, he’ll be happy enough.”

  Jason left. Tony would provide a buffer for him with Vincent, but rank would prevail and Vincent was Tony’s boss. If things got ugly, Tony would pull the trigger if Vincent told him to. Jason had no illusions about the extent of his friendships with the mob figures.

  He’d try to stop in and see Michael Daniels if the opportunity presented itself after meeting with Joe. First, he had to get through that and harvest as much information as he could. That was his mission. Perhaps after the meeting he could go home. Jason smiled to himself. Wishful thinking?

  The next day, after shaving as best he could with a dull razor, Jason dressed in his dress slacks and suit jacket. He looked in the mirror. Not too bad. He kept up his self-examination. I can see what triggers Vincent’s concern. He didn’t have the look of a street hood. He could act the part, but he didn’t have that “look”.

  Maybe that comes from deep inside. In any case, he had to accept the fact that he wasn’t a great actor. Being undercover was hard and if you got too far into your role, you could become someone you didn’t want to be. Jason had killed enough men to be hardened. He sometimes worried that he may have crossed the line that scarred one’s conscience. Too much violence against one’s nature kills something inside. Jason didn’t want to explore that dark area more than he had to. It held too much danger.

  Best I can do. I don’t quite look the part, but I’m sure Joe’s heard about my contributions. And actions speak louder than looks. He hoped.

  He headed down the stairs and into the street.

  Chapter 19

  ___________________________________

  J ason was not surprised to find Joe’s office in the city government building, the same one where Daniels had his office. Joe was up higher, on the tenth floor. It was a suite of rooms with a receptionist area and a conference room off to one side.

  He was kept waiting for fifteen minutes after arriving promptly at 10:00 am. Probably for effect, he told himself. The receptionist, after asking him if he’d like something to drink, ignored him. She was a dark-haired beauty, well-endowed with a tight, revealing dress. She sat there reading some old magazines from the pre-attack days. He wondered how many times it had been read. Some good books at the library. He resisted the urge to suggest any further reading opportunities to her.

  The phone rang. She picked it up and, after listening, motioned for Jason to go in.

  He opened the door. Joe was sitting behind a huge desk that seemed to dwarf him. As Kevin had described the man, he was slim and only about five feet nine inches tall. Even though not large, Jason could see that he was solidly built. His hair was dark and slicked back. The scar down the side of his face completed his underworld look. He wore a dark suit and dress shirt with a bright, bold colored tie, a classic mob look; a link to their past.

  In the old days, the mob ran certain neighborhoods in the large metropolitan cities. Ran them so completely that the cops held no sway amongst the civilians. Indeed, if there were disputes or transgressions, people went to the mob boss for rectification. Maybe the mob saw this post-EMP world as a way to reinstate that dominance. One where the cops were again subordinate to the gang and the politicians who worked for them.

  “Jason Rich,” Joe said, standing up.

  Jason nodded. Joe reached out his hand and Jason took it.

  “I remember we talked at the meeting.” His voice held a slight east coast accent with just a hint of New York City. “Bet you’re wondering why I called you in.” Joe smiled but it didn’t relieve the sinister look that resided in his face.

  Jason just smiled back.

  “I want to talk more. I heard some things about you.”

  “Good I hope.”

  “So far.” He paused for a moment. “Seems you’ve got a good head on your shoulders and know how to handle yourself. Those abilities are useful to me.”

  Jason d
idn’t answer, just stood there.

  “Sit down,” Joe said. He took his seat behind the large desk. “You want something to drink?”

  “If it’s okay with you, I’ll pass. It’s a bit early for me.”

  Joe laughed. “How about some good coffee?”

  Jason looked at him. He’d had coffee a few times with Tony, but it was a bad tasting brew, old and stale, and made weak. Brown water was the term generally applied.

  Joe smiled as Jason’s face evidenced his interest. He picked up his phone and told the receptionist to bring them two cups of coffee.

  Within a minute she entered the office. The aroma floated before her from the steaming cups as she strutted in with her high heels. Jason inhaled the delicious scent that enveloped him.

  “How…?”

  “Some deals with traders. There’s people working the highways, taking goods down south, trading for goods from south of the border. It’s like the old days again in many ways. It’s one of the things we’re going to get involved in. Not the trading, but controlling the routes, taking our cut from the deals.”

  He took a sip. Jason was holding the cup under his nose, enjoying the smell rising from the hot liquid, before indulging himself in a first sip.

  The two were silent for a moment. Jason wondered if he should probe or wait to see where Joe led the conversation.

  “Is control over the trading part of the overall plan?”

  Joe looked up at Jason. His eyes were baleful and cold. “What overall plan?”

  “I heard that the families were working to connect into a regional organization all up the east coast.”

  “Where did you hear that?”

  Jason shrugged. “Talk among the crews. You know how it goes. Some of it seems preposterous. But control over trading is a good tactic for regional control, so I wondered.”

  Joe seemed to study him. Finally, he smiled. “That’s an interesting conclusion. Most of the crew I know wouldn’t have made that connection. You’re smart.”