December 31, 1984/New York
Early New Year’s Eve, Felicia Giordano assembled the kitchen staff. She began, "I have called you all before me to say thank you for your services over the years. Many of you have been here since my father. You have traveled to my home in New Jersey when we needed you, and back here again when I decided to return. After today, I will no longer require your services as I am closing up both homes and stepping down. As a token of my appreciation, each and every one of you will receive a handsome bonus," she said as she started to turn away and dismiss them.
"Wait,” she continued. “Before you leave, I need to add one more thing. As we have advised you in the past, what you have seen here over the years is to be kept to yourselves. You are not to talk to reporters or anyone else about your business here, or at my home in New Jersey. If this is not clear to you, then let me say it in a manner that you will understand. I know each and every one of you as well as your families. Should you break your vow of secrecy, my associates will visit your home and eliminate you and your loved ones. I hope I have now made it clear to you," she finished as she waved her hand in a final dismissal.
The two bodyguards that walked with her said nothing, but gave a glance to one another as it was news to them as well that she had decided to step down.
She then called in John De Luca. "John, I want you to assemble a conference with the various bosses. I am announcing my decision to step down."
"Miss Giordano! I... I don't know what to say. Who will take over?" he asked, taken aback by the news.
"I don't care who takes over, and I suggest you start thinking about what you want to do with your life. You can take over if you want, or make a suggestion. I don't really give a shit. I am tired and I want to get out and enjoy what little time I have left," she replied without so much as a hint of concern.
"But what about the assassin and Tyler Santiago? Plus we have contacted the real Nick Costello, and he said he is coming in to talk to you," John told her.
She stared at him for a second before answering. "I'll see Mr. Costello and Theo Gresco when they come, and as for Tyler Santiago, forget about him. I don't care anymore. It's over."
With that said, Felicia left John and went back upstairs and into her room. She walked over to the window and stared out, lost in her thoughts.
She was interrupted by a knock at the door. Wiping her tears away she responded with, "Yes?"
"Miss Giordano, Nick Costello is at the front gate," she heard a guard say.
"Ok. Escort him to the conference room and I'll be right down," she replied.
Ten minutes later, after she had composed herself, she went down to meet Nick Costello. As she stepped into the conference room, Nick stood up to greet her.
"Miss Giordano. I understand you wanted to meet with me."
"Yes, Mr. Costello. Can you tell me where you have been in, say, the last five years?" Felicia asked him.
"Sure, in a Wisconsin prison for almost twenty two years, including the last five. What's this all about?" Nick responded.
"It seems that someone has been impersonating you," Felicia responded.
"What? Who?" Nick asked, sounding somewhat surprised and angry at the same time.
"A Mr. Theo Gresco," Felicia said looking to see how he reacted to the name. Nick did not react at all as he seemed to be digesting what Felicia had just told him.
"Son of a bitch! That bastard! He was the reason I was sent up. He tried to kill me. Do you know where he is?" Nick asked her.
"As a matter of fact, I do. He will be coming here sometime today. That is, if he keeps his promise," she said.
"So he works for you?"
"Not anymore," Felicia responded.
"So why is he coming here?"
"It doesn't matter. The point is, he will be here and you are free to do what you want with him," Felicia said with a cold stare.
"I would like my gun back," Nick told her.
She stared at him and then over at one of the guards. "Give him back his gun," she ordered. A couple of minutes later Nick was handed his weapon, which he holstered.
"Make yourself at home, Mr. Costello. It may be a long wait," she said.
"You'll let me know when he arrives?" Nick asked her as he turned and headed out the door.
"Of course," Felicia said almost smiling.
As Nick left the room, Felicia walked over to the window and was staring out at the gate where she noticed some activity. She walked over, picked up the phone and called the gate, watching as one of the guards picked up the other end.
"What's going on?"
"Ms. Giordano there are two FBI agents wanting to speak with you. It's Miss Sheila Cooper and Mr. Samuel Williams," the guard said.
"What the fuck do those two assholes want?" she almost screamed aloud, but instead said, "Ok, send them in."
She watched as the guards opened the gate and let the car through. A minute later she was confronted by the two agents.
"Well, well, and what can I do for you two?" she said as they were escorted into the study.
"We hear you are looking for Detective Tyler Santiago," Sheila said.
"You mean ex-detective don't you? What business is it of yours?" Felicia responded.
Just then there was a knock at the door. A guard stuck his head in and nodded to Felicia. "Excuse me a second," Felicia said as she walked over to the guard to determine the purpose of his interruption. He whispered in her ear that Mr. Theo Gresco was at the gate wanting entrance.
"Shit, now? Frisk him thoroughly and show him into the conference room," she whispered to the guard.
Returning to Sheila and Sam she resumed her conversation.
"I'll ask you again: What business is it of yours? Tyler Santiago is a civilian now. And by the way, I am no longer interested in his whereabouts, so you can scurry on back to the hole you came out of," Felicia told them.
Suddenly there was a huge explosion.
"What the fuck!" shouted Felicia as she saw Sheila and Sam both draw their weapons.
"What the hell is going on?" Sheila asked as she raced towards the front door followed by Sam. Felicia ran to the window and looked out in time to see smoke coming from the front gate. One of the gates was hanging by a hinge and she could see two men lying on the ground. Other guards were rushing towards the gate, and she watched Sheila and Sam also head in that direction. They all slowed down as they reached the commotion.
"What the hell is going on?" she thought to herself, when suddenly she heard, "Good afternoon, bitch." She turned and found herself facing Theo Gresco.
"You! How?"
"Doesn't matter. I am here," Theo said.
"You won't be able to get out of here alive you know. My guards will cut you down in seconds," she said.
"They're going to be busy for the next few minutes," Theo said as they suddenly heard gunfire coming from the gate.
Felicia stared at him, smiled and said, "Go ahead. Kill me if you dare." Mocking him as if she didn't think he had the guts to do it.
Theo stared at her for just a second before answering with, "My pleasure," as he put three bullets into her chest. Her eyes widened as she fell to the ground, clutching her chest as blood flowed with prejudice over her fingers, quickly stealing her life and breath. She stared back at him in disbelief as he walked up to her and aimed his gun. "This time you aren't walking away," he said to her as he fired another round into her head.
A second later, Theo was joined by Nick. They made their way to the front door and peered out to make sure no one was looking as they got into Theo's car and headed for the back entrance of the estate. With most of the guards at the front of the property, only one guard was left at the back entrance, which served as little resistance to Theo and Nick as they crashed through the gate and made their getaway. Heading in a circle around the estate, they passed the front entrance signaling both Tyler and Jay to jump in. A few seconds later, they switched cars and headed east towards Montauk. In another hour and a half, they boarded a small plane at a private airstrip and flew south, to another airport, where they boarded a larger plane and headed to South America.