Chapter 14: Road to Isolation

The Albatross Family was on their way back to the top. Finn and his crew have been putting in some effort to return the Family back to their former glory for the past two months. So they have been reclaiming Little Italy as their turf by eliminating rival Family influences from the businesses there. However, they still chose to leave the Abadeer Family businesses in Little Italy alone so they could show the Abadeer's that they could be trusted.

Donny stopped the car in front of a new triple-storey building located on Newark Street, New Jersey. There was a banner on the wall of the building, with the words 'WELCOME TO THE NEW DAYCARE CENTRE" written on it. "Hold up. I gotta go check somethin' out..." Finn said before exiting the vehicle. He stepped out onto the sidewalk before walking towards the front door of the daycare centre. As he reached the open front doors, he outstretched his legs and stopped the door when it suddenly closed. It almost hit him in the face and he knew who did it. "Aw, that failed again!" Emily spoke as she appeared from behind the door. "Hey, everyone! Finn's here!" the little girl called for her friends. Afterwards, the other 5 year olds appeared and went to Finn. "Hey, guys! Nice to see ya' again!" Finn spoke in a gleeful tone. "It's also nice to have you visit us again, Finn..." Tree Trunks showed up afterwards. Apparently, it had been almost a month after the daycare centre had been rebuilt. Finn had payed constant visits here so he could always be with the children, despite the fact that he have already returned to the Family. However, Tree Trunks and the children cared not whether he's a member of the Families or not. He's still welcome there no matter what. The visit wasn't so long though, since there was plenty to be done. Finn left shortly after and returned to the car. "What, were you having a tea party with the kids or what?" Donny asked as soon as his friend had entered the car. "Shut the fuck up and drive!" Finn replied in a rather annoyed tone.

Finn and his crew headed to the Family Compound as they've been called by the Don. Finn fixed his suit and tie before heading into the Compound building. Without even bothering to knock, he kicked the door to the Don's office open. "Jeez! Can't you knock?" Martin said as he was startled by Finn's action. "Ah, shut up! What the fuck am I called here for?" Finn replied in a disrespectful tone. "Well first of all, I've heard some word on the streets. Especially in New Jersey. Heard that you've been fuckin' up the shops there..." Martin replied, ignoring his son's tone. Finn propped his legs up onto the table and replied, "My crew and I are workin' all the edges. We're takin' down the Strife's...". "That attitude can cause a mob war, y'know..." the elder stated. "That's what I'm counting on, old man. So, how's Nelo doin' in Miami?" Finn asked back. "Oh, he's fine. He said he's livin" his California Dreams there..." Martin replied as he chuckled. Nelo had left for Miami, California a few days ago. He was doing some investigations regarding a supposed drugs scheme involving a Strifes Family contact. For some reason, he didn't allow Finn or the rest of the crew to come with him. Despite his younger brother's protests, he firmly stated that he preferred to work alone on this one. So Finn was left in New York as the Underboss of the Albatross Family, leading his crew without his brother's advice. However, it was unexpected that Finn would fall so easily without his brother's advisory.

"By the way, was it your crew that have been cleaning up our neighborhood?" Martin asked, bringing Finn out of his current train of thought. He simply nodded as a response to the question. "Y'know, it's good that you're getting the neighbourhood back for us and all, but blowing up businesses might be a bit too costly for us. I mean, blowing it up out of the blue can only bring us losses and casualties..." Martin stated much to Finn's confusion. "Hold it. When the fuck did my crew ever blow anything up? We have never accessed any bombs or explosives in any way. Hell, I haven't touched any type of explosives ever since I returned to New York!" the young man replied. Martin turned his chair and faced away from his son as he said, "Well if you didn't do it, someone out there did. And before people start to die, you'd better find out who it is...". There was a moment of silence before Finn replied, "Don't order me around. I know what I gotta do...". And with that he left the office and returned to his friends. "What did the Don say?" Donny asked. "He just told me about some businesses in Little Italy gettin' blown up. You heard of that crap?" Finn asked back. Donny took a while to think before replying, "Yeah, a bit. Heard rumors about somethin' like that. Let's go find Simon and check with him,". Finn agreed and they both headed for the Candy Tavern to find out more from Simon.

At the bar, they found Simon and began asking about these bombings. "Hey, man. Look, I need to find out about some bombings happening in Little Italy. Ones that destroyed a lot of businesses and stuff?" Finn asked to his friend after dragging him out of the bar and away from work. The elder straightened his suit and apron before replying, "Yeah, I know about that. Word on the streets was that a bunch of guys have been setting up explosives in those three Abadeer Family businesses located in Little Italy and then randomly settin' them off...". "Whoa, hold on. Did you just say Abadeer Family's businesses?" Finn asked back. "Si. Whoever's doin' this, they're only targeting the Abadeer's. And guess what, the Abadeer's think were the one responsible for this fuckin' mess!" Simon continued. Finn groaned as he rubbed the bridge of his nose and spoke, "Now that's a big problem... If this thing keeps on happening, the Abadeer's might wage a mob war,". "And then, you can say goodbye to that truce you planned," Simon added, much to Finn's annoyance. They were about to continue the discussion when suddenly Donny called for them. "Guys, the Don just called. He said another shop just got bombed to pieces. But this time, the shop is at Brooklyn..." Donny explained. "That's it. We're goin' to the site of the explosion. Now!" Finn demanded. And with that Simon followed Finn and Donny to the scene. Once they have arrived there, Finn began to realize that the Abadeer's business that Donny was referring to was Bella's Bistro. The little bistro in Brooklyn where Finn had been to when he was still finding a job. He felt a hint of pity upon the owner, Bella Moseph at the sight her shop currently. It was completely on fire as the police force arrived to help rescue the civilians trapped in the fire. Firemen had also arrived and began putting out the fire. Finn and his crew decided to take a closer look at the scene, until they were stopped by Sergeant Billy. "Huh, seems to me that you'll be around when these things happen. I wonder why is that..." the sergeant spoke in a sarcastic tone. "Leave us alone, sergeant! This things important. We wanna find the guy who did this," Finn replied boldly. "Y'know, I feel like I'm lookin' at the prime suspect of these bombings..." Sergeant Billy stated as he glared at the young man. Finn rolled his eyes and walked past Billy, leaving a 20 dollar note in the sergeant's pocket as he passed. "Now, leave us the fuck alone!" Finn spoke harshly. "Alright, but you're still the main suspect for this case...", he stated even though the statement was completely ignored.

15 minutes later...

Finn, Simon and Donny were in the car, discussing about their current problem. "These attacks are takin' a toll on the Abadeer's business," Finn stated. "And it's jeopardizing our chance at forming a truce with them..." Donny added. "So who do you think did all this, Finn?" Simon asked. Finn scratched the back of his head as he gave it a thought. "Ah, Nelo! Where are you when I really need your help?!" he thought to himself. He really wished that his older brother can be by his side at a time like this. Nelo became a great Consigliere to the Albatross Family for a reason. Finn's street smarts are nothing compared to his brother's. "Look, the greatest suspects at the moment might be the Strife's Family. I mean, Ash knew that his girl cheated on him, right? This must be revenge!" Finn speculated. They gave Finn's theory a moment of thought before Simon spoke, "That might be true, but even the Strife's knew that their current alliance with the Abadeer's are at the brink of disaster. If they know what's good for em', they'd better preserve this alliance". "Si, but we'll find out more by huntin' down the Strife's... Let's start tomorrow," Finn suggested which they agreed to. And with that they headed home and waited for tomorrow to begin the rest of their investigation.

Meanwhile in that same evening, Marceline sat in the same room next to her father as they faced Don Forrest Strifes, the leader of the Strifes Family. Other members of the two Families such as Consiglieres and Capos were also in the room. "Forgive me, Lord Abadeer. For my son's absence is because he's still doing his time in lockup..." Don Strifes stated. Marceline snickered at that since she knew that Ash had been in lockup so many times because he had been picking fights with people in nightclubs. "That's none of my concern. Just get to the point, I'm a busy man..." Don Hunson Abadeer spoke, his voice boomed with such elegance. "Forgive me. I'm here to complain about your daughter's actions for the past few months. She had been seeing another man behind my son's back. Given that they are arranged to be married soon, I believe that..." the Don of the Strifes Family lost the rest of his sentence as Don Abadeer raised a hand to silence him. "That's a heavy accusation. But tell me, have you ever caught her doin' these things you speak of?" Don Abadeer spoke. Don Strifes cleared his throat and said, "Well, Ash had once confronted her about this himself and ended up getting whacked while some of my men saw...". "Now, now. You're simply claiming that I did all that without having solid evidence about..." Marceline interrupted the sentence until she was silenced by her father. "You see, I have a sentimental weakness for my daughter and I've spoiled her as you can see. She talks when she should listen..." Hunson said, much to Marceline's annoyance. "Then again, my daughter knows that she shouldn't do anything that could anger me, so I've nothing to be worried about," Hunson continued, reassuring Marceline about his faith in her capabilities. "But what your daughter did was wrong and I expect her to not do it again. After all, you have your owns problems to worry about,si?" Don Strifes foolish asked. Don Hunson Abadeer's facial expression grew serious as he yelled, "Don't ask me about my business. And don't even think that you can just come in here and teach me how to control my own daughter!". "I want all of you to leave now! I will speak to my daughter alone. NOW LEAVE!" he yelled again. And with that everyone left the room except for Marceline.

"Now, Marceline. Let's talk. About this young man you're seeing..." Hunson spoke to his daughter once they have been left alone. "Father, whatever they speak of is untrue! You shouldn't believe them!" Marceline replied. Hunson chuckled and said, "I don't. But I already knew of this boy you're living with...". "I... uh, but..." she stuttered, unable to respond to that statement. "Don't worry. I know who he is, but know this... It doesn't matter to me what a man does for a living, understand?" he spoke again. Marceline was shocked at this but she managed to nod her head. "Good, because I have a favor to ask of you..." he continued, leaving her in a state of shock and confusion.