He Crossed the Line

I wrote two very similar stories, The Fire Inspector, and The History Professor. Several, wanted to know about the revenge Sal took on the people who killed his son. I gave that some thought. The trouble is I know too little about the topic (not that that has ever stopped me before). I did read the Godfather, and watched the movies, but didn't see a feeble attempt at a rewrite of that as being worthwhile.

So, I invented my own twist. I'd give some hint as to what that twist is, but - as the name suggests, I am Naught One To Say.

I do beg your indulgence for Bill Michaels. The general theme of the first two stories was revenge comes at a price. In Bill's case he becomes part of a serendipitous "two-fer". But he is not part of this story just a loose end that needed tying. So, it may lack creativity, but at least it's free.

So, to 26thNC, Aardie, and anonymous, here is the revenge on the arsonist(s).

He Crossed the Line

Sal Maranzano was living between the present and his past. Sure, all of us live in that space, but in Sal's case, his past was nothing like his present. You and I built our present by learning and growing - adding some part of every experience to who we are.

Sal, on the other hand, spent sixty years becoming one man and the last eighteen becoming someone else. His conversion had been nearly a total success. The only thing that stood in his way was you couldn't have been the Silver Lion for all that time and then become an ordinary citizen.

There were always complications. He had been Capo di tutti Capi. Then, he was a financier - a legitimate businessman.

The first complication was his old business didn't die just because he walked away. What he did was unprecedented. He called his lieutenants together and told them he was out. He didn't throw his weight behind any of them, gave them no instructions, and walked away.

The next several years were witness to a lot of carnage as the realignment took place. Sal had no part of any of it and - because he just walked away, many who lost their position, but kept their lives, blamed him anyway.

So, Sal's business expense for bodyguards was far higher than any of his competitors. In eighteen years of mundane business loans, these guards had kept him safe, at the cost of more than a few lives.

Over the last few years, that had died down. But one remained: Javier Delgado. Javi's father had consolidated power in the vacuum created by Sal's departure. He became the new Capo. Less than two years later, he was gunned down, triggering more violence.

Javi emerged as his successor. He blamed Sal. He was never quiet about it. He swore he would get even. The arson of Sal's son's home was his revenge.

"He crossed the line," Sal spoke in his quiet monotone. He was a man of few words, but they were always clear.

Vinny, his very large personal guard, said, "Sal, this is a problem. We do well in our work, taking on little guys with small transgressions. Javier and his family are guarded like yours was in the '80s."

"You know money is no object. He crossed the line."

"Let me tell you a little about the Delgados. Javi, like you, has two sons: Mateo and Cristian. Insiders call them the good son and the bad son - but never within earshot of Javi."

"Why is that?"

"Mateo is the good son. He is a sadistic, cold-blooded killer. When Daddy has particularly nasty duties, Mateo carries them out. There is little doubt that Mateo burned Daniel's house to the ground."

Sal stiffened. It was as though the temperature in the room dropped ten degrees. He remained quiet and Vinny continued.

"So, Mateo is the good son, because he does everything his dad wants or needs. Cristian is the bad son. All he does is party and chase women - all women, married ones seem to be his favorites, but he trolls all the time and frequently hooks someone."

"And I suspect Mateo must bail him out on occasion."

"Other than on occasion you hit that dead on. Mateo has to jump in frequently; monthly--if not more. The word is he doesn't like it - or his brother, but Javi wants it, so he does it."

"So, do we go after Javi, Mateo, or both?"

"Let me gather some more data. We are going to need help."

"So, hire help. You know money is not an issue."

"Sal, the problem is who can we hire? They all work for somebody - even if they don't know it. Fortunately, you're a patient man. I will figure out a way." He thought for a minute or so, "In fact, I will do what we've done before - the plan that leaks and the backup that works. We'll get this done. Count on me."

"Vin, I can't lose you, take your time. Figure it out."

Another complication--when he had an organization, these things were automatic. Now, he couldn't even protect his son, his daughter-in-law, or their baby. But there were unwritten, indelible rules; those uninvolved were safe, never to be touched.

Sal had put a guard on his son, Carlo. Carlo was a research scientist. A brilliant man, with two PhDs. He lived in California and worked for a high-tech firm Sal had given early financing. Carlo's wife Beth was as smart as he was. Their children were only three and five, but sure to be prodigies. Sal couldn't bear to lose him, too.

Another complication in Sal's life was his attorney, Bill Michaels. While Sal stayed on the straight and narrow, Vinny needed money to finance his troop of guards. Sal paid well, but Vinny needed more. So, he had a couple of side activities, which generated large sums of cash--that cash needed to be laundered so its origins could not be traced.

Michaels was expert at money laundering. The trouble, as they say, is "If you lie with dogs, you get fleas." Bill Michaels had been in trouble twice; he'd found a cocktail of drugs he could give a woman that would make her agreeable to his suggestions. A couple of them he then blackmailed, which almost bit him in the ass - which would have led back to Sal.

Sal had discussed this with Bill. Sal told Bill - no more. Just two words. Bill was aggressive and told Sal, they held each other over the same barrel. He would be discreet; that was all Sal could ask.

Sal looked at him and said, "No more," then looked to Vinny, who nodded. Most people caught on. Sal was not sure that Bill Michaels had.

"Vin, while you plan the big job, find out about this history professor's wife. I owe him."

They left it there. Sal called his younger son, "Carlo, I want to come out to California, to see you and your family."

"Sure, Pop, any time. You know you're welcome here."

"Is Vinny's guard working out okay?"

"He's great, we hardly see him. Beth gave him some ways he can use the internet to help him. He's a smart young guy. We appreciate it." Carlo paused just a beat. "Can we talk about Danny?"

"I fear I'll talk about him too much. I loved you two boys always. You both helped me get through the loss of your mother."

"I know, Pop. Beth and I have been talking. We were close. I want justice."

"Carlo, you listen to me. That is not who you are. These are dangerous, vicious people, who will not hesitate to kill you and your family. You hear me?"

"We are not so easy to kill."

"Carlo! I have something to wrap up here. Then, I am coming to see you. I cannot bear to be the only one left as I face eighty."

"We'll be here. In fact, I promise you we won't leave the West Coast. Don't worry about us. We're here and we'll be safe."

Sal was relieved. "Swear to me you will not involve yourself in this revenge."

"Sure, Pop. No problem, I swear it. Listen, Beth has one favor to ask of you. We would love to raise my nephew as our son. David is only a couple of years older, and Bitsy would love to have two baby brothers. It would be good for him; think about it."

Sal had to choke back tears. "I have thought about it. Count on having two guests arrive; one planning on staying permanently."

"Thanks," he could hear Carlo running. "Beth! Pop said yes! We are about to have our second son."

Carlo heard a squeal of delight. He loved both of his daughters-in-law. That made him pause, in one case, loved - he would get Javi, if it was the last thing he ever did. He may have walked away all those years ago, but he remembered how to get things done. Particularly, when he dedicated himself to getting them done.

A couple of days passed. Vinny approached Sal. "Sal, you are not going to believe this."

"If your smile means anything, I may not believe it but am sure to like it."

"You know we have been stewing about Bill Michaels. After that dumb bastard told you he had you over the same barrel - I sat him down and told him to get his head out of his ass. He looked at me like, 'you poor man, you can't help it, you just don't get it." I knew I was going to have to put him down, like the dog he is - I should've done it back then."

"I take it Mr. Michaels has not heeded our warning; that disappoints me."

"Like those TV commercials say - 'But wait; there's more!' Guess who Mr. Michaels defiled this time?"

"I'm too old for guessing games."

"You have me working on two projects, making sure the man who is playing with the professor's wife, gets justice - and Bill Michaels. Whaddya know? Those paths cross - Bill Michaels is both guys."

Sal could not help but smile, "I should have let you take him out before. But I gave him my word, one more chance. See, let that be a lesson for us - good deeds always come back, and bite you in the ass."

They sat in silence for a time. "Here's what we will do..." He outlined getting a hold of Rachel Blake, meeting with her, and then having her confront Michaels. "Michaels will have been in your care for a few days by the time Rachel meets with him. You can encourage him to tell the truth."

"Is there a limit on my encouragement?"

"Well, I want him alive but won't be disappointed if you are not able to have him alive and ready to tell the truth. If he can't be truthful, what fucking good is he?"

"Given those instructions - I guarantee success. Truth - or a corpse."

"I guess he has one chance. If he seduced her legitimately, so be it. But from what we know about him he couldn't seduce a whore with cash in hand. Otherwise, he admits to rape and we get him for revenge - and get him for crossing the line."

Sal paused and laughed, "I have been at this since I was in high school, in the '60s. Nearly seven decades and never once did I get a two-fer."

Vinny just smiled, "I'm sure Michaels will feel fortunate."

"Well, he should. Who knows, maybe he's too narrow-minded. If he doesn't appreciate efficiencies, what good is he?"

The next day, Sal and Luke were on a private jet headed for Silicon Valley.

Luke was approaching his first birthday. He'd been hospitalized with smoke inhalation, and a very minor second-degree burn. He'd recovered and it was time for him to have a mother and father.

Sal was met by the whole family. Beth ran to him. She was crying, "Luke, my baby, come to Momma."

Sal knew he'd done the right thing. There was a private lounge. The six of them settled in while Beth introduced her two older children to their new baby brother. She was clearly the momma bear, and Carlo and Sal deferred to her, letting her lead and take things at her pace. Bitsy instantly loved her littlest brother. David wasn't so sure; maybe he sensed he'd just lost his place as the one everyone would dote on.

Something made Beth decide it was time to go, and she announced they were leaving. Sal could not believe the vehicle they got into. It was a Cadillac Escalade, but the seats were specially designed. The driver and Sal's guard sat in the front. There was seating for three adults and three children in the rear. Sal and Carlo had ordinary-looking bucket seats, side-by-side. Beth had a chair that swiveled, enabling her to handle each of the children, while seated.

"When did you get this?"

Carlo smiled, "We'd had it a while, though we added Beth's and Luke's new seats in the last two weeks. We had to push to get it ready for today."

"Who does such things?"

"There are several companies that manufacture small RVs. People love to travel in them. They had the equipment and were willing to do a custom installation for us. It cost a little more, but a new son makes it worthwhile."

"I talked to Vinny today."

"Pop, you don't talk about it every day, but I know you talk to Vinny a couple of times every day."

"How...?"

"Beth is here. I don't know if you've seen evidence, but she is extraordinary."

"I smile every day. She is an extraordinary mother. She is with those children all the time. Yet they are on their own, learning to play by themselves. She also has that phone thing in her ear and is conducting business full-time. She does it with total ease. She's never hurried - I don't think I've ever seen her busy."

"So, part of what she does is watch to make sure you're enjoying yourself. She is concerned; your conversations with Vinny are not going well."

"I'd ask how she knows, but I've watched her. All the Delgados have this barrier. According to Vinny, it is perfect, impenetrable. I keep telling him we must be patient. He will see something. He is getting edgy."

"You keep telling him. Patience. I want them as much as you do. You told me to back off and I have. Tell him, as much as I want it to happen; I know he is in charge and I have every confidence. It may take a while. That's okay."

"Thanks, son. That means a lot. I know it's difficult to sit. I'm active in this, but mostly I sit. You promised and are honoring your promise. That helps me sleep at night."

They talked until dinner time. Carlo joked, "You know I damn near had to wrestle Beth to the ground when we hired the cook and her helper. Beth is a marvelous cook and loves to do it."

Sal just shook his head. "Every night I'm getting one of my favorite meals. I'm going to need one of those special chairs to fly home. I'm going to weigh 400 pounds."

"No way, you worry it off. I'll bet you haven't gained a pound."

"It's not for the lack of trying."

Sal loved that dinner was served promptly at 6:00 p. m. He did pity the cook, 6:00 meant 6:00 to Beth; not 5:59, not 6:01. But it worked. They sat down at 6:00 and food appeared.

Tonight they were enjoying sausage patties and potato pancakes. It was simple fare. But Sal, Mark, and Daniel had always loved them.

"Sal got misty-eyed. "My Daniel loved these."

Beth jumped right in, "I know, I used to make them when he and Bitsy visited us. I don't know if you witnessed it, but she and I were sisters. I don't mean in-laws; she was closer to me than my real sister. There is a reason young Elizabeth here is called Bitsy, isn't there?" She finished looking down at her daughter.

"I loved my Auntie, but she is with the angels now. I miss her."

"That's right sweetie. Big Bitsy would cringe when we had pancakes. She claimed they went straight to her burrow--though she used a different animal of burden." Beth said, smiling down at her daughter.

"I didn't know you two were that close. We are working to see their passing was not in vain."

"Oh, that's a topic for another time. Little ones hear more than we think," she reached out and tickled her daughter, "and this one never stops listening, do you?"

That got a squeal of approval and the dinner conversation turned to topics for the very young.

A couple more days went by. Sal was starting to talk about how Vinny had found a high-risk way, sure to work, but there would be casualties. He couldn't ask Vinny to do that alone; he would go, too.

"Pop, let's eat dinner, get the kids to bed, then you, Beth and I need to talk."

Sal agreed. The dinner conversation involved Sleeping Beauty and Sal wished he'd not had so much time between now and his last reading. Soon, the kids were down for the night, and the three adults met in the family room. All of them had a glass of red wine - one of Sal's favorite Italian wines.

"Dad," Beth started, "We have some things to tell you. I'm going to explain it, because everything we talk about is something I have done or am doing. Carlo made you a promise and has honored that promise."

Sal had been in all manner of situations in his life. He had learned to present a stone-faced countenance when he was listening. Most were put off by it. Beth seemed unfazed.

"You know about the Delgados: Javier, and his two sons. They live in a way that they can't be touched by mere mortals. That is not acceptable to me. I started looking for alternatives. One of the things Carlo and I have been working on is high-end security systems. There are five companies that manufacture these systems and all of them have some common components. Two of those components were patented by me."

"Oh? What does that mean?"

"First, my patents exist in my maiden name, Rhonda E. Adams. I have contacts from many of my activities. Former students, clients, and customers and all of them seek my help on many different issues. You'll understand if I don't use names. A former student, works for one of these security system manufacturers. They have developed a system that is virtually impenetrable, once it is programmed. This student was on the team that did the programming. It fell into my hands."

"I see. Fortuitous."

"Mateo has an elaborate system of cameras, recorders and devices which assure their absolute security." She paused, sipping her wine. "We wanted to meet in here because I have some pictures and videos to show you." She picked up the remote, turned the TV on, and hit play.

The video showed a few seconds of each of the rooms in Mateo's house. She paused when it got to the bedroom. This is a little disturbing to show one's father-in-law, forgive me."

She hit play again, and there was a video of Mateo leaving the bathroom, after a shower, presumably, he was stark naked. A few seconds of that was followed by a woman, also naked. The screen went dark and Beth hit pause. "The woman was Mateo's wife, Marisol Vega Delegado," she got a broad smile, "Dad, I'm sorry to report that Mateo and his wife are having some marital issues."

"Oh?"

"It seems his hours are irregular. He is known to have a consort or two. She is treated like a princess, locked in the tower. She is sick of it."

"The hazards of being the good son. I pity her."

"She has taken to the bottle. Lately, she is out on nights when he is away. She is known to get flirty. He is beginning to suspect her of infidelity."

Sal's countenance broke. He smiled. "That sounds serious."

She smiled, warmly, "I fear that it is. One of the reasons we have saved the videos of the former Miss Vega is we know every mole, birthmark, scar, and pimple on her body. Why if we wanted to, we could create a perfect AI model of her, accurate in every detail."

"I see," his smile broadened.

"Did I mention, Cristian is a member of a local gym. He frequently showers there."

"I see, and do they have cameras?"

"Well no, they didn't - then they did for a while - now, they don't anymore."

Again, forgive me, one of the things we learned is Marisol is particularly fond of cowgirl. She loves to be on top and can be quite vocal when she is. Tomorrow, Mateo is going to receive this video. Tonight he is out whoring and drinking. Did I mention, he has a terrible temper.

She played about 30 seconds of a video of Marisol riding Cristian, screaming in orgasm.

"Mateo will get the video at 9:00 am. At that same time, Cristian will get a request to meet Mateo at his home. It should take Cristian no more than 20 minutes to get there and Mateo at least 30?"

"That's terrible. He might get the wrong idea."

"Fortunately, we'll see the whole thing, live. Nearly 3,000 miles away, yet we'll have bird's eye seats."

"What about forensics?"

"If you're worried our connection could be observed, don't be. A flip of a switch here and the connection doesn't exist. If someone thought to look, which is very unlikely, there will be nothing to look for or look at."

"I must admit, I am shocked."

"Pop, I've got to tell you. Muscle isn't always the way. Surely, you've heard hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Mateo killed our blood, but he also killed Beth's best friend. Among us we could not figure out how to penetrate his barriers. She did so without leaving our home."

"Well, I haven't done anything, yet. We must see what tomorrow holds."

Neither Sal nor Carlo slept much that night. Beth slept like a baby. They were all up at 5:00, enjoying breakfast. On the East Coast, it was already 8:00 a. m. They were quiet, hoping the children would sleep in. Beth assured them that if they woke up, she would keep them entertained until they told her it was safe to come down.

"Don't you want to see your work come to fruition?" Sal asked her.

She shivered, "Not really, a bit too grizzly for me. I'd rather be secure in the fact that I have done nothing but provide an opportunity for bad people to act badly. If they do, and harm comes to them, so be it."

At ten past nine they were watching the TV, tuned to Mateo's home. Marisol was answering the door. She saw it was her brother-in-law, and let him in. At that moment, Luke began crying, meaning Beth would have to get up and leave.

"Bless him," she rose, looking back at the two men, "He's such a good boy. He knows how to care for his mama already."

Sal looked at his son, "Remind me not to get on her bad side." He smiled broadly. He was so proud of her. "Did you sleep last night?"

"Not much. You?"

"Not at all. You are used to this level of genius. I continue to be dumbfounded. This kind of thing can't happen. If you told someone, they wouldn't believe it."

The front door flew open at Mateo's; Sal and Carlo were captivated.

"You whore," he screamed. He was facing the camera, his wife and brother were facing him, away from the camera.

"Don't you dare call me a whore, you bastard. You spent the night out whoring, what I did is minor by comparison."

For some reason, Cristian, who should not have entered in, decided to play Marisol's knight in shining armor. "Fuck off, brother. You think you can do no wrong. Then, you want to play like you have been wronged. You're pathetic."

Mateo turned pale. Even his small image on the screen was noticeably shaking. He reached behind himself and pulled his gun out of the back of his pants. He shot twice. His brother fell backwards, not moving. Marisol screamed. He turned and shot twice more. She literally flew backwards.

He stood there, motionless. Men started appearing from every door. They looked at the carnage, then looked at him. "Leave me, there is nothing for you here."

No one moved.

"LEAVE ME!" he screamed, and the men faded into the background.

Neither Sal nor Carlo had breathed. Not five minutes later, there was pounding on the door. "Police!" accompanied the pounding.

Mateo got a smile on his face and turned, facing the door. It burst open. He raised his gun. Multiple shots were fired and he fell dead.

Carlo turned off the TV. "Beth, you can come in. It was absolutely Shakespearean."

A couple of minutes later Beth walked in carrying Luke, with the other two at her side. "The movie over?"

"Yeah, you didn't miss anything. It was the kind you hate; all three died in the end."

She paused for a half-beat. "Bitsy, do you want toast or cereal?"

Sal watched it unfold. He couldn't believe it. She didn't even give a fist pump. Just back to being a mom, making breakfast for the kiddies. "She's not even impressed."

"Pop, to her it's no big deal. She'd be the first to tell you, being a woman who makes some man behave like a fool, to his own detriment is something they learn about Bitsy's age.

End note: I didn't think I could do justice to an organized crime story. This enabled several things I prefer. I dislike stereotypes. This also was more my wheelhouse - Possible? Maybe. Plausible? Unlikely. Unexpected? Definitely. The woman showing the mobster how it's done seemed like fun. I hope you enjoyed!