L'Angelo della Morte

By: Akecheta

Disclaimer: I own nothing except my ideas and characters lol.

Summary: Mysterious executions begin when a new crime family expands its reaches into the Boston area. The Saints have already returned… but so has someone else. (Murphy/OC).

Author's Note: I hope I got the title translation right! (crosses fingers). Well, I'm currently searching for a beta and this is definitely a new genre of writing for little Ol' me. Anyway, let me know and for my readers, let me know what you think so far (I'm currently working on the next chapter). Take care!

Prologue: Here Comes a Newcomer

Four bodies, one shooter…

"Well, this is new. It doesn't even look like their style," Duffy murmured, his eyes gazing around at the carnage obstructing the scene.

The victims were identified over an hour ago. All were henchmen, with the exception of one, to the recent, uprooting crime syndicate now beginning to vacate the quiet streets of South Boston. Two years ago, they knew the war had been far from over. However, they hadn't expected new families to take central control so quickly and as boldly as of the past year.

An audible sigh of wistful annoyance broke the heavy silence among them and eyes shifted curiously.

"That's because it wasn't them," Smecker replied, stepping onto the crime scene with the very same bold self-confidence as he had when the last Mafioso executions had begun.

Greenly, Dolly, and Duffy acknowledged his presence with a curt nod of their head, knowing what to expect. They knew he was going to be called in for this sooner or later and it was of no particular surprise that he was there and present standing in front of them.

He knelt with precise caution next to one of the four bodies, lying face down, motionless upon its stomach. Blood had leisurely oozed itself into a sticky puddle around the head, indicating a gunshot wound to the temple. His gloved hand moved cautiously to the victim's head, turning it to a side tilt and a barely audible grunt of acknowledgement indicated his suspicions aloud.

"These men were shot point blank in the head with silencers, no questions, no kneeling, no prayers spoken… these were planned executions, gentlemen. However, unlike our saintly friends, these executions were personal and of a very different nature. Revenge."

Duffy met his eyes unflinchingly. "How do you figure that one, Smecker?"

The FBI agent stood up and moved around soundlessly to the second body, his eyes taking in everything with excruciating detail. "These men were shot and killed upon entry. Three out of the four bodies were moved, as you can tell by the blood trails. One landed face first into the concrete after being shot in the head and the other three were intentionally moved from being on their backside. They were put on their stomachs instead."

Giving Smecker his trademark eye roll, Greenly retorted thickly, "Okay, so the bodies were moved to lie facedown in their own blood. What in the hell is the big deal about that?"

Smecker grinned like a cat, his eyes crinkling with silent mirth. "So, volunteering for an old time trip to the coffee shop again for me, eh, Greenly?"

As the detective scowled at him, he continued, "Once again, you Irish cops fail to see the symbolism of the situation," he hissed, "You see, in some cultures when their victim or prey is killed, they lay them face down toward the Earth. It is so their physical vessel faces the underworld and their spirit cannot come back. This means, gentlemen, that the shooter intentionally moved their bodies in such positions because they either fear them coming back in the form of Karma or their misdeeds were so heinous and unforgivable in life that they do not deserve the "gates of heaven" or another chance at reincarnation to the next life."

"You think this might actually be the work of a victim of theirs rather than the Saints or another organized crime member?" Dolly asked.

Smecker smiled over at him, his countenance revealing nothing but utter delight. "Bingo!" He exclaimed, clasping his hands together audibly. "Fan-Freakin-Tastic!"

Duffy stood silent, suddenly encouraged. His eyes met Smeckers and he nodded quietly. "There was only one shooter, the murders were both personal and pertains to religious symbolism. But, the shooter had to know about the meeting, about the location, and how to enter through…to know all this; they'd have to have been on the inside."

Smecker nodded. "I think my influence has finally made an improvement on you Boston cops. Congratulations, boys, you've just hit the nail on the head."

"So," Greenly interrupted, "What the hell are we suppose to do now other than collect evidence and send these guys back to the morgue?"

"We wait," Smecker replied. "We might just have a newcomer and a potential ally, gentlemen. If not, then another suspect to nail and eventually put behind bars in future time. These executions indicate a lot about our shooter's intentions and it doesn't exactly qualify them under the name for sainthood."

Dolly grinned.

"Maybe an Angel of Death, huh?"

TBC...

: Here Comes a Newcomer