Part 2
Chapter 13 – Scapegoat
Luca De Fidio sprinted down the alley, knocking bins over as he ran down the narrow passageway, the two athletic officers gaining on him as they surged forward. He was tall and lanky, quite unlike the muscular form of his older brother. Luca had been an addict, fucked about by drugs until his brother had brought him into line. Now he was paying the price for being related to a mob leader.
He rounded a corner in the backstreets of the liberty, the wind blowing through his short, black hair. His open shirt flapped about in the wind as he ran, his white vest stained with sweat.
The police officers were gaining fast like two blue bullets. They were incredibly quick, their steroid filled bodies driving their muscles into overtime. Sergeant Gallento had ordered the De Fidio kid's capture. They weren't about to let him go; they knew the consequences of failing.
Luca risked a look back, stumbling over his feet. The two men were gaining, closing in on their prey. Luca changed direction again, tripping up as he cornered. The folly of his actions soon hit him. He'd ran straight into a dead-end. The arena around him was square, the backdoors of several apartments were set into the walls. He tried a few, but they remained steadfast, locked against the constant intruders that roamed Liberty City at night.
"Stop right there and put your hands up!" shouted one of the officers, expertly lining his torch with his pistol, shining it at Luca's eyes.
Luca began to panic, sweat dripping from his forehead. He looked around, trying to find an escape route. He watched as the second officer began to circle off to the side, trying to capture the distressed target. Luca had other ideas. He pulled his shirt to the side, drawing a short handled knife, the silver blade menacing in the psychotic man's hand.
"Put down your weapon and raise your hands in the air" shouted the officer, pistol trained on Luca's chest.
Luca smiled, feigning to the right. The officer fired before realising his mistake. Luca had peeled off to the left, charging the second officer. He leaped into the air, the officer catching De Fidio as he landed, the knife suspended in mid-air, as the officer fought to hold it back. The first officer was stunned; he couldn't shoot again at the risk of hitting his backup. He charged forward, pulling the flailing man off his partner. He twisted the man's arm around until he dropped the knife. With a heave he hurled the man forward, driving him into the wall, arm still held behind his back. Luca breathed heavily, the brick wall cutting into his chest. He tried freeing himself with the other arm before feeling the pressure of the second officer attaching the steel rings to his wrists.
"Luca De Fidio, we're arresting you on the suspicion of murdering Rico Esprezzo…"
x
Luca sat in his cell quietly, carefully watching the hulking form on the bed. He'd been reliably informed by the officers on duty that the man was called Tiny. He looked up, the metal lock clunking open. Three men stood at the door.
"Come with us please" said the first.
Luca was lead into a small room on the south side of the station, the men manhandling him all of the way. Shunting him in, two of the men left, the third pulling up a chair. He gently clicked open his briefcase, scattering documents on the table.
"Nice to see you again Luca" the old man said with a smile. He gestured for Luca to sit down.
"Mr Borgaman" replied Luca with a nod. The family lawyer and long-time gang member was a sight for sore eyes. You could always rely on Borgaman to get you out of a tight spot.
"Any word from Miguel?" the old man quizzed, running his hand through his sleek grey hair. It was receding rapidly.
"No, but I heard from Roxy the other day. She said they'd located the money and were being helped by some rich guy in Layman. Um, Madden I think? Miguel's trying to lay down a deal, so they'll be coming to Liberty soon. Last I heard, Miguel and Franco took off with some of the heavies and haven't been seen since"
"That, my dear friend, is not good news. I've just been in contact with the Cavelli brothers in Vice. They've been approached by a gang claiming to have killed the De Fidio brothers. They mentioned the Maddens. They are bad news."
"The Cavellis? I thought they're with us" said Luca perplexed.
"That is true, but the Cavellis have been offered a serious sum of money, equal to that of the failed Yakuza deal coincidentally, to come over and extend there operations here. They have a deal pending with Madden in a few days. There supposed to be coming over to Liberty…"
The door banged open, the two men from before entering the room.
"I hope you two have had time to catch up" said the first.
"Sergeant Gallento," said Borgaman politely, "Tell me Rafa, how are the whorehouses these days? You know one of my clients is complaining about you"
Rafa swallowed, "Shut up you slimy tongued bastard before I arrest you"
"On the same dodgy grounds as my client here? Murdering a police officer," sighed Borgaman, "Why, Luca wouldn't harm a fly. And there is a small matter of the lack of evidence. Is that what constitutes promotion around here? Conway must be so proud."
"You're time is up old man, Luca's got things to do"
"Actually sergeant, I have another ten minutes" said Borgaman, pointing to the clock. Luca looked up; he'd been here for an hour.
Rafa scowled and stormed out of the room, the second officer hot on his tail.
"Look, Luca. The Cavellis have promised they're with us. When the Madden's are back in Liberty, hopefully we can catch them. That is, if Miguel doesn't work it out first. I've arranged a small surprise for you. All you need to do is stay in your cell. I'll see you tomorrow at the house. About eight o'clock. Good luck"
"Thank you sir" said Luca, shaking Borgaman's hand.
"Oh, and don't insult the girl whatever you do" said Borgaman, knocking on the metal door to be let out…
x
Luca paced the cell, his body shaking with fear.
"You gonna sit down Pedro?" growled Tiny, the man perched on the side of the bed. He was huge. His arms were the size of tree-trunks and his vest was stretched under the sheer pressure of his chest. He was bald, and wore a goatee proudly on his face.
"I'm waiting for something" murmured Luca.
"What you say?" said the man, standing up. He was even taller than Luca.
Luca squared up to him before backing down.
"Whatever man" said Tiny, disappointed the kid hadn't started a fight.
Luca stopped pacing and listened. He could hear voices outside the window, the growling of a running engine in the background.
"Hey!" came a voice. Luca ran up to the window and pulled himself up. A dark face stared back at him.
"Hey, you the De Fidio kid?" said the voice.
"Yeah" said Luca, looking back at Tiny.
"Move away from this wall, it's going to blow man" said the voice. Luca could here the sound of feet scurrying away.
"Stand back" said Luca, pointing to Tiny.
"Whatever man, you really a De Fidio?"
"Shut up and stand…"
The explosion cut off Luca's words. He covered his eyes and ducked, trying to shelter himself as much as possible. He waited for the dust to settle. Several pairs of hands grabbed his arms, pulling him through rubble. He felt himself running through the large, open car park, the cold wind battering his face. He opened his eyes, groping at them with his hands. They were full of dust. He glimpsed a sight of a van, doors opened; the engine running. He heaved himself in, pawing at his eyes.
"Let's go!" shouted a voice…
