CHAPTER FIFTY TWO

 

 

When the door closed, Frankie handed the entire 50K to Sal. "We've decided to give you a tryout as it were. Tommy has become a problem as has the DA. I'm not promising to give you the entire city if you pass. I am giving you an opportunity to demonstrate judgment and management skills. Your first test will be to deal with this problem. Choose your team; do what you think is best. Were it me, I would make it a long slow process, but I leave it up to you."

Sal was ready. He had thought about this day but hadn't imagined it would come this soon. He could remember every decision he had disagreed with, every insult he had endured, and all the blunders Tommy had made. He looked at Frankie, then walked over to the group of men who, up until a few minutes ago, had worked for Tommy. He didn't say a word but peeled off a thousand dollars and handed it to each one. When he got to the last man, his driver, he gave him five thousand and said, "You just got promoted. We'll talk about it later."

"Yes, boss."

Tommy had been pushed past the limits of reason and started yelling, "You filthy, backstabbing bastard. I will..."

Sal spun around and cracked him across the face with a massive backhand, breaking Tommy's jaw. He crumpled to the ground. Sal said, "Put him in the car. Don't be gentle...gentlemen."

Frankie liked what he saw. The other bosses did, too, even Anthony. Although he was fuming about not getting Manhattan, he knew better than to bring it up now. Sal walked over to each boss and took each of them by the hand, kissed their rings, and thanked them. When he got to Anthony, he towered over him. Despite this, he still looked humble. He kissed Anthony's ring, then leaned in and whispered, "I know my history. I know about your father and what happened with Manhattan. If I pass my test, and, if you will allow it, I would like to discuss how we can right this injustice."

Nobody could hear what he said, but the look on Anthony's face told them he had won him over. Sal walked back to the center of the room and kissed Frankie's ring. "Thank you for this opportunity. May I make a small request?"

Frankie liked his respect, though he thought it a little cheeky to be asking for favors already. He wanted to hear what it was, though, so he said, "Tell me what you need."

"May I have his knife to help in the solving of the situation?"

Frankie roared. "Get a load of this one!" He turned around, and everyone was laughing except Mark McKinley. "You got style, Salvatore." He handed him the knife.

Sal walked over to the small man in the suit. The man opened the letter so that he could read it. Sal was smart enough not to touch. The letter was returned to the envelope and put inside another one. When he handed it to Sal he said, "No finger prints." Sal carefully tucked it into his pocket then, using the knife, tapped the DA on the shoulder. "Get in the car."