The FBI
Agent Thomas Miller was sitting in his office under a heavy cloud of smoke and the smell of Vodka. His cigarette pack was nearly full despite it smelling like he smoked all of them. The office windows were open, allowing a light breeze that made the papers on his desk fly around from time to time. He needed clean air for once. The sunlight beamed on his desk where there were piles of folders, towering like high-rises. Thomas documented everything that came to mind, passing notes to Garcia who was sitting on a couch a few feet away. The two had spent the past few weeks focusing on everything owned and rented by the Lombardi and Giuliani families. They made a list of family homes, businesses, and other properties under family members’ names. There was no incriminating evidence, but they were making progress.
Before Miller took a break, he had just got finished with Francesco Giuliani’s file which was thinner than a first grader's report card. The man known to the mafia world as the one who wore the white suit didn't even have a parking ticket. Thomas was about to move on to Jessica Lombardi’s file when his phone rang. Garcia lifted her eyes from Giovanni's rap sheet, looking at Thomas hoping for a breakthrough.
"Yep. That's me," he said. Then his expression quickly saddened, as if he just heard of the death of a relative. "What? Where? I'm on my way." he said hanging up. Agent Miller got up quickly and grabbed his trench coat.
"Garcia. We have to go, now. We may have a lead." He opened his office door and they headed quickly to the parking lot of the 5th precinct. Garcia didn't bother to ask what was happening. She hurried to try to catch up as Thomas was sprinting ahead.
Thomas told Garcia they were heading to the Saltinotti Mansion and looked serious. It was a look Garcia hadn't seen since the execution of Terry and Jonathan. She stayed silent as Thomas took a sharp right, driving fast through the busy roadways. Once they arrived, they found the area blocked off by police, neighbors, and reporters desperately trying to cover what happened.
Thomas parked and rushed towards the crime scene. He pushed everyone out of his way, for him and Garcia to come through. The crowd spoke in whispers and the humming was interrupted by the sound of the cameras. An officer of the 7th precinct said, "Clear the way, please." Agents Miller and Garcia passed the officer and went under the yellow tape surrounding the mansion. "We're lucky the forensics team has not arrived yet."
"Lucky how, sir?"
"Those idiots might be working with the families."
"Who was on the phone, sir?"
"Quantico. They call me the moment anything comes in."
"Very smart, sir."
"What does it look like, Garcia?" Thomas and Garcia reached the bloody mess. "
Four male bodies; all with shots to the head. One bled out first before dying."
"Get to the fucking point, Garcia."
"It has the marks of an Italian style killing. "So, does it look premeditated or gangland?"
"It seems premediated but something's off."
"What is it, sir?"
"The guards at the door and driver were finished off by one direct gunshot. Our killer here is a marksman; he knew what he was doing. But this man, Andrea Saltinotti, died trying to get away. Have you read his record yet?"
"No sir, I didn't read get to that one."
"He's been the head of the Saltinottis for the past 8 years. Narcotics, human trafficking, booze, fake goods, you name it; he runs it. Word on the street from our informants was he was planning to take over the imports from the harbor."
"The Giulianis."
"Yes, but look closely at Andrea. He has three bullet entries. Each of these could've killed him if given time, but the killer decided to see him suffer. Look at the blood trail up to the doors."
"A crime of hate could be added to the list."
"Perhaps but let's hold off on the Feds coming right now."
Thomas examined the crime scene further seeing dumpsters across the street and tried to picture the scene through the killer’s eyes. "The killer probably came behind those dumpsters." Agent Miller crouched over and patted Andrea's tuxedo, finding a folded piece of paper. He unfolded it and read it a few times over and over. "Garcia, take a look." Thomas gave it to Garcia.
"Does this resemble a deal at the harbor?"
"Apparently, sir. It looks like the Lombardis had an agreement with the Saltinottis."
"It looks like more a sell-out move to me."
"Why would the Lombardis want to sell their assets to the harbor to their rival."
"It would be stupid to kill him after making a deal."
"My money's on the Giulianis."
"Maybe they're sending a message?"
"Just like they did with Terry."
"Let's wait for ballistics."
"Should I leave bullets with forensics?"
"No, take a bullet and I'll send it straight to Quantico. I don't want anyone except who has my authority arriving at these crime scenes from now on."
Garcia crept over the body while Thomas shaded her, allowing her to pick up the bullet without being noticed. She then left the scene and waited in the car.
An officer approached Thomas Miller. "Sir, this young man here says he saw something." A child, around the age of ten, was dressed in his pajamas.
Thomas found it strange being that it was only 1 PM in the afternoon. Thomas crouched over looking at the boy. "Hello there, young man." The officer left, leaving them alone. "What's your name?" "I-Isaac," the boy said shyly. "I'm Thomas. Nice to meet you, Isaac." Thomas patted the boy softly on the head. "Did you see who did this?" The boy nodded; his eyes glued on the ground while he was hugging a small teddy bear. "Can you describe the bad man for me?" The boy nodded again. "H-he had on a white suit," the boy stuttered. "Where were you when the man did this?" The boy turned around, pointing to a window on the third floor of his home.
"What were you doing sitting there?"
The boy lifted his teddy bear.
"Were you sick today, playing with your teddy bear?"
The boy nodded.
"Can you describe this bad man in a white suit?” The boy moved his head left and right, indicating he couldn't. "What did the man do after that?" "He ran away." the boy pointed in the direction. Thomas stood up patting the boy on the head. "Thank you for your service, young man." The officer returned
to take the boy away.
Thomas walked to car and radioed Garcia. "Garcia, overnight send the bullet to Quantico. I have a lead to follow." "Ok, sir." Agent Garcia then pulled off.
Thomas later returned to the 5th precinct, searching on the computer database for every property owned by the Giulianis near the crime scene. There were a few warehouses and two probable apartments bought. He thought they would probably be safehouses. There was also, Castello di Vino listed under Luca Giuliani’s name. Without much time for getting warrants on circumstantial evidence, Agent Miller decided to take his chances and visit the pub.