Chapter 9 – Brother's in arms

Liberty City, 1954

"And you'll have him sorted out then will you Jack?" said a cool Antonio De Fidio.

"Yeah, yeah boss. No problem" said the young Jack Madden, flowing black hair sitting on his shoulders.

"Good. Finish it properly this time. And then we'll share the funds." Antonio outstretched his hand, the eager Madden shaking it furiously. He wasn't about to fail this time.

Madden turned and waved his hand at his men, ordering them to follow him out into the cold. Liberty City was swept with snow, the streets were barely useable. Jack had been in the meeting with De Fidio for half an hour and already the snow had resettled on his car, the old Fenthick 290 frozen to the road. Madden put back on his trilby hat and pulled his big, black coat together, before getting into the back of the Fenthick. He laid his briefcase on his lap. He wasn't going to let it out of sight. He was soon joined by his guards. They too wore big overcoats and rested Tommy-guns on their laps.

"Take us to the docks please Quentin" he said to his driver. Quentin put the car into gear and pulled off at an incredible rate, throwing the car around the streets of Liberty, weaving in and around the traffic. He floored the accelerator, trying to get to the meet as quick as possible.

"Your going to get us killed Trenlock!" shouted Madden, as he looked out the window, staring at the police car sat on the side of the road.

"Sorry boss," said the young Knockout, as he eyed the police car in his mirrors. He watched as two police officers came out of the building the car was parked up by. The officers were talking to a scantily clad girl before throwing a wad of cash at her feet. She scrambled to the floor to pick up the money. Trenlock shut his eyes as he saw one of the officers raise his baton…

"Concentrate on the fucking road!" shouted Madden again.

Trenlock regained focus, ignoring the brutal scenes he had just witnessed. One day he'd put everything right.

Stretching out the engine, he accelerated gently before pulling up in the docks. Madden opened the door and walked over to one of the piers. A small fishing boat was moored, a tall man stood waiting, his overcoat flapping about in the wind. He looked truly menacing.

Jack strode up to the man confidently, his insides quivering. The man in front of him was a being of true power, a man Madden aspired too.

"Mr Leone" said Madden shivering in the cold.

"Mr Madden," answered the mafia don, "how are things? How is that lovely Teresa of yours?"

Madden jumped at the personnel question. No-one knew about his relationship with Teresa De Fidio and he preferred it that way. Antonio's sister was strictly off limits.

"I don't know what you talking about. Do you have the goods?" answered Madden unconvincingly. Leone smiled at the poor attempt to divert the question. He put his hand into his pocket and produced a sealed package.

"Do you have the cash?"

Madden held the briefcase forward and opened it, the cool breeze flicking at the ends of the dollar notes.

"Excellent" said Leone, smiling again. He handed the package forward and took the briefcase in his other hand.

"Connect it to the target's car and run. That's my advice" continued Leone, "Once the engine is started, the heat with spark the explosive. Be quick."

Madden shook the mafia don's hand and turned heading back to his car. Once there, he opened the door and got in, holding the package nervously. He brushed the snow of his head before addressing his guards.

"Trenlock, take us back to De Fidio and then proceed to the target. You goons are to cover my position."

"Yeah boss. De Fidio gave me the destination" said Knockout, kicking the car into first gear. He sped off, the snow blowing off the bonnet of the car. Leone watched the black Fenthick turn onto the main road and head off into the city. He stroked his chin and walked off down the quayside, briefcase in hand…

x

"He took the bait?" questioned Antonio, "And you've got the explosives?"

"Yeah, he took the briefcase. The timer for the detonator was set for another hour" answered Madden.

"Well let's hope our mafia friend doesn't find it then. I want you to proceed to the next target, set the explosives in his car like we agreed. Then find Forelli and bag him. Soon he will be begging to cooperate with us. Then we'll take his money…"

x

Leone walked briskly down the quayside, the weight of the briefcase pulling on his arms. He watched the boats go by, each one carrying weapons and drugs to and from the city. His own empire he thought proudly. He'd often visit the docks and stroll idly through Liberty. Despite the odd dispute around the city, Liberty had certain charms and qualities to it that he both admired and adored. He could see his family being in Liberty a long time…

x

Jack walked up the hill, package in hand. Hiding around the area were his men, covering the roads with hawk-like vigilance, Tommy-guns primed. Madden looked around the snow-swept streets of Liberty, admiring the architecture. He loved this city; the tall, proud buildings, the vast infrastructure that was rising in the state, the up and coming businesses to the city. He applauded it all. What he hated most though, as he trudged through the snow ridden streets, were the mafia gangs. Leone, Forelli or Sindacco, it didn't matter which. He admired there integrity and the way their leader's minds worked, but hated the fact that they were at a stand-off. Until he'd met De Fidio, he imagined the stale-mate would continue for decades. With Antonio's explosive vision, things were clearly going to change.

Jack walked up to the black Fenthick parked on the side of the road and got in, rubbing his hands together to generate some warmth.

"How we doing?"

"We got guards in the surrounding area keeping watch. I gave them flares. We've set the bomb under the bonnet. Some of the guys reckon he's got a lot of men in there, so there keeping their eyes peeled" said Trenlock, staring at the small café across the road and the silver Esperanto Dame SP250. The two seated sports car had its hood up, the snow settled gently on its roof. Madden watched with patience as the café door opened and the solid figure of the Sindacco don came through.

"It's show time" he whispered gently. Trenlock gave him a quick look, disturbed by how much he was enjoying the situation.

Sindacco stood around for a bit outside, talking to some of his men. He scanned the surrounding area, the chill wind blowing against his thick neck. He was tense; instinct told him something was wrong.

"Something's freaked him out" said Trenlock, "Look! He's walking away!"

"Start the engine" said Madden forcefully, eager for the plan to follow through. They watched patiently as Sindacco disappeared around the corner, heading back into the city centre. The cohort of guards had stayed behind, bewildered by their bosses' sudden departure.

"After him, we'll run him down!" shouted Madden in Trenlock's ear. Spinning on the icy road, the car pulled off, the Sindacco guards jumping unexpectedly. Madden drew his pistol, firing into crowd of guards.

"Sindacco's on the left" called Trenlock. The Sindacco Don was running down the street now, his fat girth slowing him down.

"Mount the pavement!" shouted Madden, the Fenthick rising one wheel onto the street. Sindacco turned in an unnaturally quick movement, pistol in hand. He fired at the oncoming car, shooting at the windscreen before diving out of the way of the speeding vehicle. The car missed the huge form of the Sindacco don, crashing into the wall. Madden and Trenlock recoiled as Sindacco got up off the floor, approaching the shattered body of the car. Madden breathed heavily as he felt a giant fist grab his torso, pulling him out of the car, throwing him to the floor. Madden flailed around as Sindacco strode up to him purposefully. He kicked Madden hard in the gut. Menacingly, he circled the body on the ground, cracking his knuckles.

"You got balls kid. But learn this lesson well eh. Don't mess with the big boys. Oh, and don't sit in the car with a bunch of girls with guns around the area. Where are they now eh? Being finished off by my boys eh?" said the Don, his chubby checks red in the cold, his thick bushy moustache twitching.

Madden continued to back up along the road, the huge form of the Sindacco don approaching slowly, teasing with his captive. Don Sindacco reached forward with his giant fist again before being kicked in the back, his giant form being pushed forward. He recoiled and swung his giant arm around, beating back the thin form of Trenlock. Quentin stumbled back as Sindacco charged forward, the fallen Madden trying to push himself back to his feet. Trenlock felt the mountain-like arms of the Don wrap around him, squeezing intently. He struggled but the pain became more intense. In a last ditched effort, he threw his head forward, his forehead colliding with man's fat nose. He was instantly released as blood oozed down the don's face. Capitalising on his advantage, he threw his fists out, punching wildly at the stricken man. With a mighty punch, he floored the colossal man. The don collided with the concrete floor hard, his head smashing against the hardened surface, a puddle of blood forming.

Madden roused himself from the floor, stunned by what had just happened. Trenlock was struggling to stand; he was hunched over, the don's blood dripping from his face and hands. Madden swiped up his pistol from near the flaming wreck of his car and calmly put a bullet in the don's skull, the shot deafening around the quiet streets. He turned to Trenlock and uttered a single word.

"Knockout…"

x

Leone sat down on a bench on the side of the road waiting fro his boys to come collect him. The briefcase rested ominously on his lap. Watching the cars go by, he ran his hands along the edges of the case, the soft brown leather smooth against his fingertips. His curiosity suddenly mounted, stimulated by the slight vibration emitted by the case. Inquisitive, he opened it, the thousands of dollar notes staring back at him. He grabbed one of the bundles and looked through, flicking back the notes with his fingertips. They were all there.

"Shit!"

He'd noticed the faked emblem on the notes. He could here the ticking now. Throwing the case to the ground he ran, the explosion triggered as the case hit the floor. The bench exploded; shards of wood flying in all directions. Leone flew through the air, the blast crushing his back. He landed on the road, a ringing in his ear. Something else was there too, a deep repetitive sound…

A car horn blared at the fallen mafia don, as the driver hit the brakes. Leone looked up, watching the car get bigger as it approached. With an almighty crunch, the car hit the Leone family don, his muscular frame being sprayed over the road. In his last moments of consciousness, he reached out to anything he could find, his limbs pulling back against the pressure he was putting himself under. He could hear footsteps approaching, he could be saved.

Antonio De Fidio bent down, his feet being clutched by the fallen man. He lent down and whispered in the man's ear, telling him the truths of what was to pass in Liberty. A mafia monopoly under the De Fidio name. The Leone name wiped from memory. And the traitor that was Jack Madden.

Leone closed his eyes, his last breathe being savoured. He listened to the mobster detail how Madden had fiddled the deal and how he had orchestrated this devastating attack for the Sindaccos. Leone knew his boys would arrive and these upstarts would be silenced. He felt De Fidio reach into his pocket, producing the golden watch he had always carried around. Smiling, Antonio rose, walking away as the Leone mafia cars turned up. He watched from the shadows as the don's sons rushed around their fallen father, screaming and arguing amongst themselves. Leone spoke up, underlying his dying wishes. They would not let Liberty City, the city Leone loved, fall into the hands of others. De Fidio turned from the scene as Leone's eldest proclaimed himself don. The legend of Salvatore Leone had begun…

x

Madden and Trenlock ran down the streets of Layman, the snow slowing down their efforts. The roads were deserted, the citizens of Liberty staying inside to avoid the torrential weather.

"There on the right!" shouted Trenlock, pointing at a police car parked up on the side of the road. Quentin glanced at the number plate, recognising the alphanumeric sign. The car was empty, the officers inside the shop, collecting their bribe.

"Grab it!" called Madden, running up to the car. He pulled on the door handle, the door coming unstuck immediately.

"Fucking pigs" murmured Madden, fiddling with the ignition.

"Hey Eddie! Some goons are after our car!" shouted one of the officers, running out of the shop. Madden roared the engine, his hotwiring skills honed.

"Trenlock get in here!" he called.

Quentin acknowledged Madden's call but chose to ignore it, focusing solely on the officers running at him, baton raised. Trenlock feinted to the left, sending the officer the wrong way. He shot forward with his hand, his fist connecting with the officer's gut. He wrenched his arm back, and hit the officer again, knocking him to the floor. He grabbed hold of the man's arm, twisting it around until he let go of the short, black pole. Trenlock grasped the baton careful, weighing it up in his hands. He raised it above his head.

"Trenlock!" shouted Madden as the second officer charged Quentin, the man's heavy girth flattening the slim form of Knockout. Trenlock swung wildly with the baton, the shaft connecting with different parts of the officer's body. The baton impacted against the officer's arm, sending him reeling in pain.

"Pick on poor innocent ladies will you?" sneered Trenlock, his deep voice laced with an icy tone. His whole demeanour changing with the power the weapon instilled in him.

"Fuck, you mean the hooker?" said the officer, "Because that wasn't me. It was him, kill him!"

"Fuck both of you, you all dead" shouted Trenlock, the baton smashing down of the fallen officer's skull.

The second officer backed up gently, hands outstretched as the wild Knockout approached. Madden got out of the car, clearly annoyed.

"Quentin, learn well," said Madden, calmly drawing his pistol and firing into the frightened officer, "Kill pigs quickly" he said, patting Knockout on the back. "Do what you have to do, make your mark, whatever. Just hurry up…"

x

The two men sped down the streets in the stolen police car, silence echoing around the car. Madden had taken the wheel, the troubled Trenlock meditating on the bloodied mess he'd turned the bodies of the police officers too.

"Just think buddy," started Madden, "We're starting a revolution in this city. We've finished two mafia bosses today. You've made your mark on this city. Fucking Knockout, cold cop killer, mafia don destroyer and butcher of men. Got a nice ring to it."

Trenlock smiled despondently. He never wanted to turn the city in this way. He'd also wanted to join the police, not kill them.

"Where's Forelli supposed to be? Time to get our money…"

x

The police car pulled up to the cathedral, the snow battering the windscreen. It was if all hell had broken loose in the city. Madden got out of the stolen car watching the rioting gangs. The once empty streets had been filled with mafias vying for control. Madden smiled as Trenlock got out of the car, watching a particular gunfight down the street. He recognised the Leone sons in the midst of it, the Sindaccos being pressed back.

The two men entered the cathedral calmly; the warmth the ancient building offered fighting off the chills. They walked down the main passage confidently, several figures waiting near the altar. Madden coolly scanned the area, the pews were empty, the passages deserted.

"Mr Forelli" Madden called.

"Ah, Jack Madden. How nice it is to see you" spoke a voice, the man not turning around. He was flanked by two men, each facing the other way.

Madden stopped a few feet away from the altar, adopting a hardened stance. Trenlock stood slightly behind him, eyeing him carefully.

Forelli turned around, his clean cut appearance out of place in the run down hall.

"I see you've brought company" he said.

"As have you" Madden replied undeterred.

"Yes, yes. Some you might even recognise" Forelli teased. Madden watched as the two men turned to face him. One of the men he didn't recognise, but the other…

"Antonio?" quizzed Madden, shocked more than anything.

"Jack" the tall figure said.

"But, this isn't in the plan?"

"You know something Jack, it's not."

"But… what's going on then?"

"I've done the deal Jack. Everything's sorted."

"My cut?"

"I'm afraid you won't be getting a cut" De Fidio said confidently, stepping forward. "You see Jack, you can't do anything in this city without being watched. You need to be careful, have the right contacts. And if you screw your friends about, you'll face the punishment"

"But my money?" pleaded Madden.

"There is no money for you. In fact, I do believe the Leone's have a price on your head. They think you're with the Sindaccos at the moment."

"But…" gasped Madden, his hand reaching for his gun.

"I wouldn't do that if I was you" called Leone, "This man here is an expert in pain. I'm afraid you can no longer stay in my city."

"What…" said Madden, before feeling the blow to the back of his head. Trenlock had struck him with the bloodied baton, a clean blow to the back of his skull.

Antonio turned to the Forelli don, shaking his hand.

"I believe we're done here then."

"Absolutely. The Leones will continue to fight the Sindaccos until both are severely weakened. Then we will strike. I trust your business trip will go well. And here is your money" Forelli answered, holding a case forward. Antonio grasped the handle and nodded. His plans for the city were coming together nicely.

"Grab him" he said, ordering Trenlock. "Let's take him somewhere nice…"

x

Madden woke hours later, his head throbbing. He tried to open his eyes but all was black. He tried to call but his voice was muffled. He couldn't breathe, he was trapped.

"Awake are we now?" said Antonio, removing the bag from the head of the bound Madden. Jack breathed in heavily, taking in his surroundings. He was tied up on the backseat of the police car, Trenlock and De Fidio in the front seats. Trenlock was staring dead ahead, not appearing to notice what was going on. Antonio, on the other hand, was staring right at Madden, his lightly bearded face smiling at him. He was holding a gun in his right hand.

"How are we feeling then?" he quizzed.

"Fuck you" said Madden, testing the bonds around his wrists.

"Ungrateful motherfucker" said De Fidio, hitting Madden with the butt of the gun. A deep gash appeared on his forehead, the split skin leaking blood.

"Do you think you could screw around with my sister and I wouldn't notice? Everyone follows the rules, even you Jack" said Antonio, snarling.

"But…"

"No buts. You're finished; you won't be seeing Teresa again. Nor will you see your money" interrupted Antonio.

Trenlock got out of the car and, opening the back door, pulled out the body of Jack Madden. Madden tried to struggle, but Trenlock was too powerful.

"Quentin…" Madden pleaded on deaf ears.

Trenlock dragged the bound body further away from the road, ploughing through the long grass. They were in the middle of nowhere; the quiet road bordering a confined wood.

"Quentin please…" tried Madden again.

"Sorry Jack, its just business" Trenlock said, dumping the body to the floor. He threw a golden object at his fallen friend and headed back to the police car. Madden struggled to his feet, his bound hands proving restrictive. He watched as the police car sped off down the long, narrow road. Devastation hit him, with nowhere to go or no money, how was he going to survive? Picking up the golden watch, he looked around hopelessly, following the road. He struggled for miles, the man wandering hopelessly. The area was completely deserted. Eventually he tripped up and hit the road, crashing to his knees. He flailed around on the floor, all hope was gone. Relaxing, his despair washed away. It was an unnatural feeling he unexpectedly felt. Everything that was bad suddenly disappeared. He'd caught a glimpse of a road sign isolated on the side of the road. He pushed himself to his feet, sprinting to reach it. Reading it, he collapsed in a fit of tears. There was hope! And it was nearby. He re-read the sign, crying with joy. Layman City, two miles…