"See, I didn't quite understand what Clarence meant when he talked about Lombardo and Frankie Scalino merging houses and trying to push a deal with the Bay Street Dragons. But now that we know that the Dragons tried to merge with the Muerto's, it makes a lot more sense.", Steve explained as they got onto the elevator and he pushed the button for the parking garage, "Maybe they're trying to recreate the old ways in a new infrastructure with new blood. Neither one of them has any useful sons left…well…unless you count in Mario…"
Pursing his lips, Mike nodded softly, letting the information sink in as he watched the numbers on the display go down.
"I don't know if I should be happy or worried that you're starting to think like a godfather, Buddy Boy.", he said smilingly, before running a hand across his chin.
"Call me Stefano…", Steve retorted with a fake Italian accent, before shoving his hands back into the pockets of his black dress pants.
"You know what I am going to call you when this is all over with?", Mike asked facetiously as they left the elevator and walked toward the waiting Galaxy, "One finger Stefano. Because by the time you are done writing up the report for this case, that's about all you will have left to use on your hands."
They shared a hearty laughter as they entered the tan sedan and Mike took off his fedora, interweaving his hands in his lap. As this case was slowly coming together, a foreboding worry spread in the back of his mind.
"Alright, let's think this thing through for a minute. Tony Lombardo and Frank Scalino are both getting up there in age. They've spent most of their lives either fighting each other or running the drug market along West Beach and the Embarcadero area…"
Steve nodded in agreement as he pulled the Galaxy out of the underground parking garage onto 3rd Street, heading northwest toward the last known physical address of Frankie Scalino.
"Tony's three sons have been gone for what…ten years or more?"
"Yeah, something like that. I think Giovanni was the last one and he died in that boating accident down by Pier 31, I think."
"Yeah…accident alright.", Mike snorted and shook his head, "So let's assume our two oldies come to realize that they're quickly losing market share and don't have enough offspring left to rule this town. They do some heavy thinking and decide to get in on some gang action."
"It's kind of what they did before, just on a larger scale. Think about it. These might not be biological sons, but they're still young males motivated by money and power, and better yet, they're far more expendable AND replaceable then their physical sons, Mike."
"Frighteningly replaceable.", the Lieutenant whispered and glanced across the busy two-lane road, before resting his eyes on the Bay appearing between skyscrapers, "So they hire this Russian hitman to clean up the north side, thus giving them full access to the local drug market, practically any drug of their choice, most of the prostitution rings and maybe even some guns if they're dealing with the Dragons…"
Steve nodded and reached for some sunflower seeds in his suit jacket, before munching on them nervously.
"Just like they say, marry into a family with a doctor, dentist and insurance broker, and you are covered for life."
"Okay, so like Mario, they have the motive and opportunity. But it still doesn't explain the ties to New York, or this killer not going after us when he had the chance multiple times.", Mike frowned and let out a deep breath, before tapping his partner's shoulder, "When we get back, have Diaz down in Intelligence look into any ties Lombardo has to New York. I seem to recall a case many, many years ago that I swear had something to do with the local mob there…and when that video footage of our killer comes through, I want to send it to a friend of mine who works for the FBI. Somebody like that has been around doing this sort of thing for a long time. And I am ready to put a stop to it."
Steve glanced over at him briefly, that same haunted expression on his face from earlier in the parking garage.
"Somebody like that won't go down without a fight."
"I am counting on that.", Mike answered somberly, trying to put as much confidence in his voice as possible, "But, you have to remember, right now he's somebody's attack dog. Let's hope either Lombardo or Frankie Scalino can put a muzzle on him."
"What if he pulls off the leash?"
He'd expected that comment to be made in fun, but when he glanced over, Steve's expression was anything but cheerful.
"Then we'll fight, Buddy Boy. We'll fight with everything we've got."