Chapter One- Dear Sam
Some have called me strange. Some have called me a freak. Some have casted me as abnormal, but its what I answer to that makes me the person I am. I'm a man of words, a man of knowledge, and now a man of pain but I have yet to determine who I am in my terms. Staring down on her grave I think how can a life that lived so loudly and adventurously be contained within a box, she would have hated that, being confined…that was never who she was at least to me. I cried learning your demise, it was not since Wise Georgie's demise that I had cried like that before. My soul fell upon the hardness of the world knowing your fate had been that of death, from that moment they dropped you into the soils of the earth I swore that I would avenge you, bring justice towards whoever took you from your place on this earth. I wish I could bring you back, I wish there was something I could do to take Stone Cold's pain away, hell take all our pain away as that may be, but I guess that's me being selfish. He hardly talked in the sense of depth before you left, but now he lives in the own realm of this tragedy, rarely talking to those who are anxious to break down those walls he has put up from the outside world. Sleep has been something he's abused quite frequently looking for your justice, often he has showed me the ropes of what its like in the field, and I must say on my first trial I failed miserably, but I got better. Thinking back on my progression, it wasn't that it had become a skill I obtained to master but from my own pain, and that I wouldn't want anyone else to experience what we currently are dealing with so it makes me work a little bit harder and makes me a little bit more street smart, in which I was failing stupidly in. Which brings me to this moment staring down upon your only proof that you once lived. From time to time I lose myself in the memory to the point where it becomes hard to know my surroundings, which is something I have to get better at if my fear comes true.
Feeling the vibration of the sound waves press against my skin through the fabric of my clothing, I dig down into my pant pocket to retrieve my cell phone "The Jackal" I answer in my usual manner trying not to convey the sadness within the vocal of my voice
"The men have left to retrieve the shipment, I can't guarantee success but I need you to be positive on who you identified" Stone Cold immediately went on to say which meant he was in his business mode as usual
"I'm positive. I've exhausted every inch of the footage and it is most certainly in that of the territory of Delgado" I replied to assure him of my knowledge of the current missing shipment packaging that was taken by a local crew from the port earlier this week "But it grieves me to ask this question though" I sighed before he cut me in mid sentence
"I don't need to tell you what the outcome will be, you should know this by now. Look I don't know what's going to happen, but I need to know that come tonight your ready to follow through on whatever goes down" Stone Cold pressured
"The Jackal will do whatever it takes to bring about justice" I replied convincing my mentor that all that I prepared for was what I ultimately wanted "I got word from Miloh that Mr. Sir is expecting me, do you know what that's about?" I asked
"Sonny is ready to move if it is confirmed. He'll need all his players to be there for the word of what we do next" Stone Cold reported back as if he were a militant machine barking out commands handed down by that of a greater source
"I understand. I shall arrive at my expected time" I replied not wanting any ounce of a uncertainty to be conveyed
"Go home and enjoy your life, Spinelli. I'll see you later" Stone Cold relayed as his final words before he hung up his end of the phone
Looking down upon your grave, I think to myself what has become of this world that we live in. News broadcast report of this monstrous act of brutality, in which we call honor, and respect; but yet its what's common in this line of work. I fear my next visit will contain nothing but that of confusion and sorrow, but I will find the sweetness of your justice once it is all said and done in the end. Placing the scented ecstasy of the flowers she once loved to surround herself with upon her title plaque, I look on once more before I turn to leave getting lost in the haze of the overcast of the day.
In a matter of ten minutes I found myself pulling into the place I called my home for quite some time now. Maybe I did live this somewhat normal life, but the journey towards this conclusion had been far from its shares of ups and downs. Walking down the pathway to the front doorstep, from a far I could hear her laughter, the laughter I had been blessed to come home to on a daily basis, the laughter that made everything in my world feel as if its pales in comparison in world that contained her in it. Just like I had suspected when I came through the door she had been engulfed in her girl talk with once sworn enemy Lulu Spencer, as they seemed to be schooling the frequent visitor Kristina Davis.
"Am I interrupting something?" I asked immediately feeling like I was intruding on sacred girls meeting of that they planned to bash all those who contained testicles
"No, we were actually just discussing the fashion show we just came from" Maxie spoke "All the drama you could hope for was front and center on the stage" she laughed thinking back once again of the event
"The Jackal wishes he could have been in attendance for it" I smiled weakly knowing that this line of work would never allow me to expose myself so openly to the media
"Your guys job is so much fun. Do you go to these things often?" Kristina asked the girls
"Well I just now got into that kind of scene, but Maxie goes quite often to know the latest and the greatest coming on the scene" Lulu explained putting much emphasis on the glamour that Maxie endures from her job as Junior Editor
"Seeing as you enjoyed it so much, I will certainly be taking you alongside next time" Maxie told the young girl
"Cool, I look forward to it" Kristina smiled happily looking down at her watch to check the time
"Does your mother know you're here?" I asked observing her eyes
"Yeah, I told her I was with Maxie and Lulu. I should go though before she sends out the squad cars to come get me" Kristina answered
"I'll give you a ride home" Lulu offered the girl
"Are you sure? I don't want to put you out of your way" Kristina asked
"No, its on my way to my lonely apartment" Lulu said making a reference to her former roommate Maxiemista
"Hmm…live with a girl, who does annoy you from time to time or live with my boyfriend in a beautiful house…do I really need to answer?" Maxie asked weighing her choices
"I get it" Lulu laughed as Kristina and her made their way to the door to leave "Goodnight guys" she said before the two girls left Maximista and I to our lonesome
"How was your day?" Maxie asked me walking over to the patio to let Shakespeare, our golden retriever, inside the house making his way over to his pillow over in the corner of the sitting area
"I see Shakespeare got the boot for the lady discussion" I observed "It wasn't as eventful as yours, but I'm sure my luck could get better towards the end of the night" I smirked making my sexual advance in subtext of g-rated conversation that only she could decode as she joined me on the sofa
"Your right, you could get lucky. Bernie called for you" Maxie mentioned bringing back to the matter of hand that I had to deal with later on tonight
"Oh, he probably wanted to know the status on the office" I shrugged off to burry my face in the nape of her neck
"And what is going to happen to the office?" Maxie asked me wondering herself as to what would be fate of the office that was once occupied by two private investigators
"I have to give it up. I pretty much work from the office here at home or that of the one at the penthouse" I replied revealing the fate of the office only to of doom
"Does Jason know your letting the office go?" Maxie asked
"I haven't really discussed it with him, its really my choice and I don't think something trivial like that would register on his mind. He's going through a tough time and me orbiting around the penthouse does give me an excuse to look after him" I said
"Yeah, I know. Well I support whatever you decide to do" Maxie said leaning over to kiss me on the cheek "You tired?" she smirked appealing to early sexual advances
"Most assuredly" I laughed knowing where this was heading
"Shall we go upstairs?" Maxie laughed. I found her laughter was easily sparked by the sound of my laughter, which almost unable to contain when we were together
"Why go upstairs" I said leaning over to kiss her so that we were laying on the sofa just before my cell phone began to vibrate. In the back of my mind I had begun to hate technology and its dreaded timing
"Who is it?" Maxie asked as I propped myself up on my arm to retrieve my cell phone
"Its Bernie, I have to take this" I said prompting my next action which was to answer what I all ready knew would be the reason as to why he would call so late in the evening "The Jackal" I answered
"Are you on your way?" Bernie asked
"Yes, I'll be right there" I replied quickly hanging up to see the look of disappointment come upon Maximista's face "I'm sorry, I have to go over this footage that Bernie needs" I said getting off of the sofa and out of her embrace
"But why so late? Can't Bernie wait?" Maxie asked
"Unfortunately no. I'll be back soon" I said walking over to the closet to grab my jacket and a pair of gloves that I discreetly had to place in the pockets of my jacket so that she wouldn't see
"Well looks like it'll be Shakespeare and me tonight" Maxie groaned
"See, you all ready filled my place" I said
"I would have loved to get filled myself but I guess I have to settle for whatever is left" Maxie replied
"I'll be back soon" I said before I quickly turned to leave for my regrettable path towards Mr. Sir's household
It felt like a scene straight out of a movie with everything that had the glamouresque mob appeal that came along with being apart of the Corinthos Organization. Never did I really consider myself fully a part of the Corinthos Organization, but more of an association with Jason Morgan, as my skills increased in the field the more I had aligned my position as a vital role in my field of which was needed for the organization. Jason had been the muscle behind all his attacks, while Bernie and Diane covered the legality of the business ensuring that all crimes would remain that of a secret, while I served as an enforcer in my own right but that of the cyber world. I had access to everything and anything to make life a living hell for one with the stroke of a keyboard button, and savy among all the latest technology to create some of the earth shattering weaponry of the new day and age. Arriving at the underground passageway to the cellar that Stone Cold spoke of usually meant serious business would occur, I was released into the darkness of the night to be guided through the dimly litted tunnels by one of the Corinthos guards. Upon entering the room I saw Stone Cold, Bernie, Max, and Diane along with other soldiers promptly awaiting the arrival of Mr. Sir to come in. My eyes shifted aimlessly around the room looking at the many cast of characters that made up one of the most feared organizations in the state and possibly on the east coast if reputation ensued. Taking my place next to Stone Cold, I too began to wait for Mr. Sir to make his presence in cellar, and before I knew it we were all graced with his presence that only revealed to be that of a serious mindset.
"I got word back that Delgado did in fact take the shipment, at least I choose to believe" Sonny spoke
"Delgado wouldn't be dumb enough to enter into the lower territory unless he felt like he could get away with it' Jason quickly replied
"Which leads me to believe…no in fact I know that a Zaccara issued the retrieval of the package" Sonny said
"Johnny and Claudia?" Max asked
"Johnny wouldn't, he maybe next in line to take over as the male of the family but he's not smart enough to do that knowing the implications of his actions" I spoke recalling on my knowledge of Johnny Zaccara
"Leading us to Claudia Zaccara" Jason concluded "Which also ties her to the hit on Sam" he said
"How can we be so sure?" I asked eager to look at all angles before we went after Vixenilla
"The circumstances point to her. We found the disc that has he speaking openly on the hit, numerous audio on her making attempted hits on Jason, her out of the blue pregnancy that would have put her out of the aim of fire even if Mr. C would have figured that she was the shooter, then knowing Michael was the cause of her losing the baby, she'd have all the motive in the world to do so" Max explained
"Thus leading to the hit placed on Fair Samantha" I came to accept realizing circumstance had all lead to that of Claudia Zaccara
"Then we've come to an understanding. Have we not?" Sonny asked the group
"And this would be the point where I must leave" Diane said hearing all that she needed to know in order to be aware of what to expect for the coming weeks so that way if anyone landed in jail she'd know what she was up against "Jason, we'll be in touch" she said before she was escorted out of the cellar
"As of now consider this organization to be at war with the Zaccara's" Sonny declared "Jason I want you and twenty other men setting up the ambush on the Delgado cargos at Port Nizer" he instructed
"We're ready to leave out as soon as possible" Jason replied
"Spinelli, I'm going to need you to get ahold of some the weaponry off shore, have it delivered to the warehouse for arrival in the morning. Then get access for the upcoming Mob Summit, our first statement will be made loud and clear on the Zacarra's there" Sonny told me
"I shall be done by the end of our days hour" I replied leaving Mr. Sir to look on me confused as to what I had just stated "The task will be done by midnight" I quickly countered
Some have called me strange. Some have called me a freak. Some have casted me as abnormal, but its what I answer to that makes me the person I am. For tonight some had called me a soldier. Some had called me ally. You once called me friend, and this why I must do this. Walking out of the darkened tunnel, a few glimmers of mourning light made it possible for me to see Stone Cold gearing up for his task at hand like I had seen many times before while living at the penthouse, all his armor could protect him physically but there was no amount of armor that protected the one thing that had retrieved more damage than any body part than his heart. I never truly knew what it felt like to be in shoes in these situations, and from the emptiness I felt there was no feeling, the only feeling I had was anger, and that was all I needed to pursue what would come crashing down hard on Port Charles. Stone Cold looked my direction as my car was brought around by the guards, we both looked on at each other from a distance signifying that this what we had wanted, but could bring on repercussions unnecessary to this town. Our stare seemed to be that of approval to carry on in the ghosts of ourselves, that it was okay to be this way, when really we lost more than a friend but ourselves the day of her demise.