Axiom (Alfonzo Book 21) by Frank S.W

Author:Frank, S.W. [Frank, S.W.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: S.W.Frank Publishing
Published: 2016-09-04T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Old friends strolled shoulder to shoulder over the unpaved section of the road with evidence of the heavy rainfall on the ground. They were boys again, except heavy adult steps unsettled the soggy earth. One wore fine shoes and the other lacked finery. Kinship survived the years of one's rise and the other's decline. As teens they set out together to escape the poverty of Africo for opportunity in another province, but without family the boy missing home returned to familiarity. Boys that once played together and committed mischief were now juxtapositions. However, the wealth and distance hadn’t erased either’s loyalty.

"Grazie for coming Cassio.” The less polished man said in a raspy tone. Thin arms dangled from the laundered shirt. He had tried to look presentable to avoid pity. “He’s taken off. I believe he is in Palermo. These years I have not asked for your aid or accepted any payments. My decision to sever affiliations meant I forfeit gains. But I never forfeit our friendship.”

Don Cassio Ricardo listened with his chin lowered— analyzing his friend’s sentence as he watched his steps.

The evening breeze had a crisp feel. He inhaled the washed air.

"He does not respect the old ways. Ah, the arguments with him have taken the air from me."

"Hmmm."

"I am afraid that I will bury him as I have my sons."

“My condolences Luigi,” Don Ricardo said softly. His sympathies did not stem from the adults deaths, but from their refusal to adapt to their father’s quiet living with respect.

Luigi’s sons attempted a daylight hit at the Balleró Street Market. A vendor refused to pay them Pizzo and they wished to teach him a lesson. Except, the action was sign of contempt and disrespect to the Olivetti Famiglia that controlled the area. Luigi’s sons were brass and foolish thugs that spit on the organizations peaceful relations with the community. The Olivetti Famiglia controlled the district. The vendors voluntarily contributed monthly to a Merchant Security Fund. In return the payees received protection and even low interest loans. Carlo Dichenzo’s business model was implemented by many of his associates. The arrangement worked so well for years, even staunch opponents changed course. The method avoided polizìa scrutiny and outcries from the community. Pizzo had become a nefarious word. Luigi’s sons attempted to extort money from a new vendor that had yet to become part of the network. Any errant thugs disrupting business was certain to be dealt with harshly.

These minor problems arose in meetings and the top Bosses voted on the resolutions. Months ago Giuseppe Dichenzo gave his approval and instructed the Olivetti’s to have a public execution to be a warning to future upstarts. Every participant in the shakedown attempt met a violent fate.

“Grazie. It has been hard on my wife. She blames their deaths on my collection of guns. Imagine that amico. She asks me to get rid of them. But, they are like art. I admire their design. I am only a collector.”

“There is an ornate piece, it is fit for a king’s hand.

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