Scarlett and the Feds (20 page)

T
he verdict was in and I wasn’t shocked to hear that there was no way out of the contract that didn’t end with one or both of us being tossed in jail. The fact that Victor knew about the deal with the Feds put everything in jeopardy. I’d already breached one of the conditions that no-one could know our secret. I had already carried out the FBI’s covet sting operations putting myself in danger as each target became more high profile and closer to winning the jackpot— Joe Salvatore.

The Feds were growing impatient and wanted the meeting with Joe to be soon. Scar needed to dig deep and pull out every trick and weapon she had. This would be the ultimate showdown and my chance of survival was slim. My odds plunged to zero if the wire was found and Victor’s death warrant would be signed on the spot by his father. This wire needed be discreet and un-detectable, or I was as good as dead. We both knew this. The precarious situations I found myself in with Nelson would be minuscule compared to sitting down with my biggest nemesis.

Setting up a sit down meeting with the head of the Mob wasn’t as simple as calling his secretary and scheduling it. It would be a covert mission that required precision planning on our part to make sure I survived.

Victor wanted to blindside his father and reduced the risk. Joe Salvatore was a creature of habit. Vito’s was his father’s favorite restaurant and base of most of his operation. Every Thursday night he went there for dinner. It wasn’t as public as Victor wanted, but Joe Salvatore was not the type of guy you could hook up at the mall with for a sit down. This plan reduced the chance of my ending up in a shallow grave or being hauled out of the Passaic.

“Walk me though how you communicate with the Feds,” Victor commanded, sitting down next to me.

“Text messages and we meet in the back of the station or under the Masonic Bridge.”

Victor’s gaze was intense as his eyes locked onto mine. Scarlett handed me two shots one for each hand.

“I’m given my target off the list I handed over to them and they give me the incriminating questions I have to ask. One of the agents unbuttons my blouse to attach the wire.”

Victor’s eyes exploded with anger. He jumped up and kicked the edge of the couch. “Fuckin’ bastards.”

“I’m assuming that protocol will be changed up as your father is the trophy they had in their site for a long time. I don’t know yet how this is going to play out. I meet with both agents this morning under the Masonic Bridge.”

“We need to keep the book a secret at all costs. Those son of bitches can’t know or all of this was for nothing. They will throw you in jail for refusing to hand over the book and you will be dead within the hour. They can’t protect any of us from my father, and they know that. Those assholes don’t give a damn about you as long as they get their high profile arrest and all the fame that goes with bringing down my father.”

“I understand,” I said. Scarlett was pacing, mumbling to herself. She wanted to go with her plan, but Victor had other ideas.

“If you get in front of my father. The first question he will ask is where the book is. Then the Feds will know. So you lead the Feds on make them believe that you’re following their orders. Walk into the restaurant and head for my father, he always sits in the private room in the back. To the left of the door is a small hallway leading to the bathroom. I want you to head in the direction of the door, keeping in mind there will be two guards standing outside watching the door for intruders. Don’t make eye contact and head to ladies room. Lock the door and go into the farthest stall away from the door. We will create a diversion that will cause my father to be ushered out the back of the kitchen to a waiting car. When the dust settles, you leave as fast as you can. Walk down to the end of the street and your car will be parked. Get in and head home.”

“Okay,” I said listening to his instructions carefully. Scar whipped out her phone, taping in Victor’s orders, she was ready to put all those weapons she had to good use. Joe Salvatore didn’t scare her, but he terrified the hell out of me.

Scarlett was so excited. She was going to get the chance to kick some gangster booty tonight. I was terrified. Shit was going to get real. I was overcome with so many emotions all mixed together it was overwhelming. I was walking into a death trap and the odds of someone not dying was slim. I just prayed it wasn’t Victor, Hawke or me. Scarlett rubbed my shoulder like a manager does to his boxer before he headed back into the ring to get the shit beat out of him. I didn’t want to go into the ring with Joe Salvatore because I would be the one lying face down in a pool of my own blood.

Victor and Hawke both stared at me intently.

“You got this? Any-thing not crystal clear? We don’t have the luxury of screwing this up.”

“Yes. I understand,” I said, fear oozing from my tone. “Is there a high likelihood of causalities tonight?”

“Yes. But just follow the plan. Do what I told you and don’t deviate. No matter what you hear, you don’t fucking come out of the bathroom until I text you that it’s all clear. You walk out, get in your car and drive home. We will meet you here.”

“You promise me, Victor! Hawke. You promise me you will be here.”

Both Victor and Hawke exchanged glances.

“Yes. We’ll be fine,” he said kissing me on the forehead, he grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet.

“Let do this. Hawke and I will be out of site from those assholes, but we will have eyes on you at all times. This is why I hire ex-military Special Forces. You need to tell the agents that you will be meeting my father at Vito’s at eight.”

Agents Parker and Davis were waiting when I pulled up. Victor and Hawke pulled off on a side road a mile back. Both agents immediately got out of their vehicle and flanked mine. Agent Parker ushered me out of the SUV and into the back seat of their sedan. Both agents scanned the surroundings making sure the coast was clear. Scarlett had her favorite blinged out ammo belt strapped to her hips and was taking up the rear behind both agents. She stayed outside the vehicle to keep watch, searching the area to see if she could catch a glimpse of Victor and Hawke.
Damn those boys are good,
she mumbled to herself.

Is it set up?” Agent Parker asked.

“I’m fine thanks for asking,” I snapped.

“Miss. Ellington, screw the formalities. This is serious. Is the face to face with Joe Salvatore secured or not?”

“Yes. Tonight at Vito’s eight o’clock.”

Scarlett was pounding on the car window. A black panel van was approaching. My eyes darted to the van, Both Agents glanced out, but were unfazed.

“Follow us,” Agent Parker ordered as he got out of the car and opened my door, grabbing my arm he pulled me toward the waiting van. The side door opened and I was pushed inside. Before I could scream, the door slid shut. Scarlett was liked a cage animal and began pacing, frantically banging on the door to let her out. I panicked for a moment that Victor and Hawke would storm the van to rescue me. Scarlett snatched a lighter from the driver of the van in case she needed to start a small fire. The van didn’t move.

There were other agents, three men and one woman, in the van. The interior was retro-fitted with high tech surveillance gear and computers. A stocky bald agent approach me.

“Miss Ellington, I’m Agent Mason.”

Scarlett’s eyes grew wide and her mouth fell open with the arsenal of Fed toys. She was modeling a pair of headphones pushing buttons on one of the computers with a shitty grin on her face.

“This necklace is dual purpose. Acts as both a listening device for us and a small camera that records live feed on our end,” Agent Mason replied handing me the gold necklace with a black onyx stone. I studied it carefully and spotted no trace of a camera or mic.

“Nice,” I said handing it back to Agent Mason. He placed it back in its box shoving it into his jacket pocket.

Agent Parker thrust a piece of paper in my face. Scar glanced up from pick pocketing Agent Mason. She had to get a closer look at that necklace. She made note to put one of those on her Christmas list.

“These are the questions you need to ask Joe Salvatore. Learn them so they seem natural. Don’t be nervous or act like you’re not confident. If he’s the slightest bit suspicious then you’re dead.”

“Great. Thanks for the reminder,” I snapped.

“You put yourself in this position as soon as you opened your legs for Victor Salvatore,” Agent Parker sneered.

Scar jolted up and threw her seat barley missing Agent Parker’s head.

“Screw you,” I snapped. “That was unnecessary.”

Agent Davis stood between us. “Miss Ellington. Learn the questions so they seem natural. Meet us at this address at seven-thirty sharp.”

“Fine. Can I leave?” I snapped fumbling with the sliding door.

“Yes.” Agent Parker opened the door.

I hopped out, and not looking back, darted for the SUV. I had Scarlett by the arm before she went back and throat punched that asshole Agent Parker. No-one disrespected her and lived to talk about it. She was fired up and pissed off.

I pulled onto the main road and headed home. A mile from the Masonic Bridge, I saw Hawke and Victor behind me. I exhaled and relaxed just a little. This plan had to work. If not, Scar better start planning my funeral. She shook off such crazy thoughts. She had this. She was strong and a badass. We had survived so far and if she had anything to say about it, the Feds and the Mob better watch their backs. Scarlett was too cocky for her own good sometimes and I needed to keep it together and follow Victor’s plan.

I took a deep breath as I parked and walked two blocks to where I suppose to meet the Feds. Victor and Hawke had been fully briefed on my encounter with the Feds and the plan stayed the same. I rounded the corner and headed onto the side street. The cold air bit into my face and Scarlett flipped me the bird, wishing she was surfing right now in California not lurking around the streets of Summit gearing up to meet the man who want me dead. I agreed. I wished I was any other place but here. I took a deep breath and headed toward the parked sedan. I looked around, making sure I wasn’t too obvious slipping into the car.

“Here’s the necklace,” Agent Davis said, handing me the little box.

I put it around my neck. “Do I need to turn activate it somehow?” I asked grabbing it.

“No we will activate it on our end. As soon as we see you about to enter the restaurant.”

“Where is Agent Jerk?” I asked. Scarlett pounded her fist in her hand remembering his crass comment in the van.

“In position ready to go. Did you rehearse the questions I gave you?”

“Yes,” I replied, crossing my fingers behind my back. I was pretty sure lying to the Feds will land you in the slammer, but Victor’s plan didn’t end in me dying.

“See you on the other end. I hope,” I said, climbing out of the car slamming the door. Scarlett had her ammo belt, bullet proof vest and four grenades. She was armed and ready.

My cell rang.

“You set?”

“Yes. But what is the diversion.”

“Don’t worry about that. No matter what, don’t deviate from the plan, understand?”

“Got it.”

“I love you, Angelina.”

“I love you too,” I said, “See you at the house. You promised me, Victor.”

“I know. I will see you there. Bye.”

Vito’s from the outside looked like a dive. Older décor with black shutters and weather beaten clapboards. A faded sign
VITO’S
in gold letters hung next to the black door. I took a deep breath and Scarlett put both sets of brass knuckles on and smiled. She loved a good ole fashion ass kicking. My focus was getting to the ladies room as fast as possible. I pulled on the handle and pulled open the heavy door. It was dimly lit. I didn’t make eye contact with anyone. The men sitting at the bar who looked like regulars stopped talking and watched my every move. Waiters in white shirts and black pants buzzed by. I froze.

I caught a glimpse of Joe Salvatore talking with two men. Scarlett kicked me in the ass and I kept going, trying to be as stealth as possible. I reached the door to the ladies room and had my hand on the door knob when Pauley emerged from the men’s’ room. He walked past me and I exhaled. Suddenly he stopped and turned back around.

“Hey. It’s you,” he yelled as I slammed the door in his face and locked it. My fingers were shaking as he pounded on the door, rattling the handle. I ran to the last stall and slammed it, my breathing rapid. I heard him kicking the door.

I whispered into the necklace. “Please help me.”

I heard a gunshot and the door shattered to pieces. Scarlett pulled out her gun and snapped in a fresh clip. I stood on the toilet seat squatting down. My heart was beating out of my chest and my breathing was rapid. Pauley was kicking in doors to the stalls. My door crashed opened slamming the side of the stall. I screamed as he grabbed me by the hair and dragged me across the tile floor of the bathroom. Scarlett was on his back punching and slapping him. I frantically looked around for anything I could use as a weapon. He let go of my hair and dragged me up from the floor. He pressed his gun to the side of my head, pulling me down the narrow hallway. A waiter made eye contact and then looked away and disappeared into the kitchen.

“Move it, bitch. Mr. Salvatore been waiting for you, sweetheart. He has got plans for you,” he sneered. We were less than fifty feet from the door that separated me from Joe Salvatore when the popping of automatic weapons, screaming, glass breaking, and bodies falling filled the air. I got splattered with blood as Pauley hit the ground. I turned and ran back toward the ladies room. The door was busted so I darted into the men’s room and locked the door.

I could still hear the barrage of gun fire. Scarlett was sulking in the corner, mad that we were hiding out instead of standing on the bar with her oozy taking care of these assholes for good. I was taking deep breaths trying to slow my breathing and prepare myself for the dead bodies littered throughout the restaurant that I would have to step over in order to escape. My mind was racing. This was the diversion. Shooting up a known Mob hangout. The gun fire stopped. The only sound was faint crying and moaning. I slowly opened the door and peered down the hall. It was clear. I bolted past several bodies, but didn’t dare look. I knew Pauley was dead and maybe if I was lucky, so was Joe Salvatore. I couldn’t look at their faces in case one was Victor’s or Hawke’s.

I busted through the door onto the street, running as fast as I could. My body was shaking and my emotions were still in shock. I reached my SUV and fumbling with my keys finally unlocked the door and slid in. I peeled out of the parking spot. Scarlett had her gun in her lap and was scanning the mirrors. I stopped at a red light. Grabbing my phone, I called Victor. It went straight to voicemail. Panic washed over me and I felt like I was suffocating. The light turned green and I didn’t notice the SUV behind me. I punched the gas and sped through the intersection. Blue lights reflected through my back windshield.

“Fuck.” Scarlett was trying to frantically rub the blood off my shirt and neck.

I relaxed when I rolled down the window and saw Agent Parker.

“What the Hell just happened?” I asked.

“I have the same questions for you. Why are you so important to Joe Salvatore, Miss Ellington?”

I took off the necklace and handed it to Agent Parker. “I want to go home and get dead mobster blood off of me,” I said.

“We’ll be in touch. This isn’t over. You failed to hold up your end of the contract. So you will be held accountable or we will consider you in default. I have been looking forward to arresting Victor Salvatore for a very long time. You’re hiding something from us. That’s obstruction and I can arrest you right here and now.”

“Then do it!” I screamed. “You won’t because you need me to get you Joe Salvatore. Goodnight,” I said putting up my window.

I was only focused on getting home and making sure Victor and Hawke were safe. The ten minute drive to Salvatore Disney Land felt like three hours.

I pressed re-dial on my phone each time it went into Victor’s voicemail.

I pulled up to the gate of Salvatore Disney Land and a goon waved me through. I motioned for him to approach me.

“Ma’am, is everything ok?” he asked.

“Mr. Wood, has Victor and Hawke returned?”

“No, ma’am, no yet.”

“Oh,” I said the panic evident in my tone.

I was hauling ass up the road to the house when my cell rang.

“Victor?”

“You okay, babe?”

“Thank God. I was frickin’ worried. Why didn’t you answer your phone?”

“I turned it off. Your home?”

“Yes.”

“We will be there in ten,”

“What the fuck happened, Victor?”

“Not now. We will debrief when I get home.”

I walked through the front door, making a mad dash for the liquor cabinet. I pulled the top off the first bottle I saw and poured a shot. Scarlett was on her third by the time I threw back my second.