Chapter Four
Even though the dinner was delicious, it left him with agita. His stomach burned with sourness from his conversation with Sonny. As he and Mullen walked up the spiral stairs of the Chelsea to the fifth floor, Tony reviewed in his head what Sonny had told him.
"So, you going to tell Fornell about this Tommy Scalia?" asked Mullen interrupting Tony's thoughts.
"Yes," he answered.
"I don't trust Sonny," said Mullen.
"You shouldn't. I can up to a point, but only up to a point," said Tony, as they arrived at the fifth floor landing.
They opened the door to the fifth floor and walked down to Fornell's hotel and knocked on the door. He opened the door wearing a sweater that looked like his daughter gave him as a gift and jeans.
"The two of you get changed into clothes that don't make you look like dandies and I'll debrief you over a beer somewhere," said Fornell.
"Sure, Tobias," said Tony.
"Okay, boss," added Mullen.
Tony slipped into a pair of jeans, OSU tee shirt, a zip up cashmere hoodie, and a suede jacket to go with his badge and Glock. They chose Gramercy Tavern on E 20th Street because it was within walking distance and sounded like a place you could get a simple drink in. When the walked into the tavern section then the grabbed stools at the bar, Fornell whistled at the prices. It wasn't a place you could get a simple drink in.
"It's on me," said Tony. "Let me order and pay."
"I'm not arguing, DiNozzo," said Fornell.
"Thanks, Tony," said Mullen.
The bartender walked over to them and Tony waved him over to him.
"Three glasses of Hine, Triomphe," he ordered, "and the country pate, pickled vegetables, and Buckwheat crackers."
"Sure," he said then walked away.
"What are we getting to drink?" asked Fornell.
"Very good, very expensive cognac," he answered.
"I guess it's better than bourbon," Fornell shook his head.
"Next time you want beer and whiskey then let me pick the place," smiled Tony.
"So, how did dinner go?" asked Fornell.
"Tommy Scalia. They believe he is behind Franco Moretti's death," said Tony.
"Who is this Scalia?" asked Fornell.
"I'll ask around," said Tony. "I don't really know him."
"So it looks like the Young Turks are looking to take over the Families and bring them back to their halcyon days," said Fornell.
The bartender placed their cognacs in front of them then left and returned quickly with their appetizer. Tony reached for a cracker and spread some pate on it. When he was a kid, no older than six years old, he sampled pate for the first time. He saw his mother eating it and demanded some. Oddly, enough he liked it. He remembered his mother's reaction: Tony, you know that you have the palate of an aristocrat. Unfortunately, this is America so I'd also get used to pizza and fast food if I were you, too, my little prince.
Fast food, pizza, and beer became his life and pate, life cognac and other high end delicacies became his dirty little secret, which he indulged in now and again while thinking of his mother. Sometimes he wondered what his life would have been like if his mother lived. She would have sheltered him from her father and pushed him towards her likes and dislikes. Instead of football and basketball it would have been more piano recitals and probably something like ballet. Instead of a military academy, he'd have gone to Andover Academy and the Ivy League and instead of police work and NCIS, he'd probably be a lawyer or good knows what.
"How should we handle the rest of the Task Force?" asked Fornell.
"Start them investigating the death of the four black gang members and Franco Moretti's murder," said Tony.
"And our little special group?" asked Fornell.
"This shit is delicious," Mullen remarked as he sampled his second cracker with pate. "My father is probably rolling in his grave with me eating this. He was a bologna and cheese and hot dog kind of guy."
Fornell looked at Mullen as if he was an idiot, but Mullen ignored it and tried the pickled vegetables next.
"Even this shit isn't bad," Mullen said then looked at DiNozzo. "Good choice."
Tony grinned then he answered Fornell question: "I want to prod Vincent into a meeting with me. I need to talk to him one on one so I can read him."
"How are you going to manage that since many in the Genovese Family want you dead?" asked Fornell.
"A trip into Hoboken to a Genovese Italian American social club to talk to some of the boys," said Tony.
"Why Hoboken?" asked Fornell.
"Cause if I went into Queens and did it, I might not come out alive," smiled Tony.
"Taking Mullen?" asked Fornell.
"Damn straight," said Mullen.
"Okay," smiled Fornell, "take Manetti with you, too."
"No," said Tony.
Fornell raised an eyebrow.
"Where I'm going a female agent will just get in the way, Fornell. Mullen and I can handle this," said Tony.
"What if Stabile and Manetti backup you up with surveillance?" asked Fornell.
"Fornell, until Mullen and I either end up battered and bruised or in the hospital, let's do this my way," said Tony.
"Jesus, I love this shit," said Mullen, as he ate more pate.
Fornell shook his head: "You two are a team. Shake things up and stay alive."
"I know we can handle at least half of that request," smiled Tony.
"I've got to apologize to Gibbs," sighed Fornell.
"Why?" asked Tony.
"I always thought his worrying about you was silly. Now I am starting to understand him better," Fornell drank his cognac.
"Gibbs would just give him a head slap and tell me not to get killed," said Tony.
"I owe Gibbs a bottle of bourbon," sighed Fornell.
"My father used to slap my head as a sign of affection," added Mullen.
"You two are well partnered," Gibbs said.
NCIS
Tony wore a Cerutti 1881 grey pinstripe suit with a light blue custom shirt, a blue and grey silk tie, gold cufflinks, grey pocket square, and a pair of Testoni black lace up oxford shoes. Wearing a black Burberry trench coat, he met Mullen, who was wearing a grey Brooks Brothers suit with a pink dress shirt and grey silk tie, out of the hotel. Mullen drove the SUV as they drove towards the Holland Tunnel.
Tony smiled as they drove to Hoboken. This was the birthplace of Sinatra, his favorite musical artist and the spot where On the Waterfront was filmed. Sinatra sang a great many songs to heart breaking lost love in the fifties then he added the finger snapping playful songs to flirtation and conquest. Either paean to lost love or that exultation of love, Sinatra was his iPod choice. Plus, He loved Brando in On the Waterfront. Terry Malloy was a boxer with the soul of a poet and the brain of fourteen year old. He was wounded, stunted, and yet still heroic. No wonder he liked Brando's portrayal of Terry Malloy so much.
The Italian American Social club was located in what residents of Hoboken called the Presidential Streets. To be exact it was on Ninth Street between Grand Street and Adams Street right across from Columbus Park in storefront place that used to be a pizza parlor long ago.
Mullen parked the SUV and they both got out. Tony noticed a grey cargo van parked a few blocks away with what looked like a serious antenna. He nodded to Mullen.
"Cops. Probably New Jersey State Troopers, outside chance NYPD breaking boundaries," said Mullen.
"Fornell meeting with the NYPD Organized Crime Task Force today, we should have him talk to them about this," Tony said. "Right, Pat?"
"Patrick Joseph Mullen. Friends call me PJ," he said.
"Okay, PJ," he said. "Let's visit my people."
They walked to the door of the Italian American Social Club and Tony opened and walked in with Mullen on his six. The place was shabby, darkly lit and served coffee, espresso and hard liquor as the afternoon grew long. A quick scan showed a few older guys who were now filled with stories and not much else, a few mafia soldiers, a couple of associates, which mean they worked for the Family but they were made men yet, and there in the corner the caporegime with his personal crew. Tony knew this caporegime by reputation. His name was Bennie Buscetta, who had the demeanor and face of a pug, and he was thought of as a man who took orders and didn't make waved.
"Who are you?" asked one of the soldiers.
"Special Agent Anthony DiNutso, Junior," he stated, "and this is my partner Special Agent Patrick Mullen."
"DiNutso," said Buscetta.
"He's Anthony's kid," said one of the soldiers.
"Hey, junior," laughed one of the soldiers.
"Anthony DiNutso's kid hanging with a fucking Mick," said another one of the mafia soldiers.
"Well, things change. I usually don't like blowjobs from Italian women, but you're wife gives such great head," said Mullen with a big grin.
The soldier he insulted got out of his seat and started towards Mullen. Buscetta yelled: "Sit the fuck down. The Mick wants a fight, so he can bring feds in here."
"Hey, Bennie, you're smarter than you look, which would make you a moron," chuckled Mullen.
Tony closed his eyes and wondered if he was this annoying sometimes when he was with Gibbs and they were in a situation. Yeah, I am. I knew I liked Mullen.
"All I want to do is have a short conversation with you Bennie," said Tony.
"About what?" he asked.
"The fucking weather," Tony sarcastically spat.
"The yelp thinks he's got balls," said Bennie.
"Che bruta," Mullen spoke up.
Tony looked at him: "Really, PJ, about how ugly is he? By the way I thought you didn't know Italian?"
"I know how to get in trouble in Italian. I like to get in trouble in different languages," smiled Mullen.
"Well, you're definitely fluent in English," said Tony then he turned his attention back to Buscetta. "Listen I'm here for a Fed Task Force to put away people like you, but family being family I wanted to give Uncle Vinnie a heads up."
"This mother fucker wants a Moe Green Special," said Bennie's right hand man Mark Ferrara.
"Very fucking clever," smiled Tony then he looked at Mullen. "Moe Green Special."
"Think he's seen White Heat where Cagney stands on the giant gas tank and yells: Top of the world, Ma?" Mullen asked.
Tony smiled liking Mullen more and more each day: "I like that one."
"Come on, Bennie, let me fuck these two up," said the soldier with the hurt feelings.
"Listen you fucking skel, you couldn't fuck me up even if I was on a two week bender," Mullen goaded him.
The soldier went for Mullen, who stood there waiting for the attack. As soon as the man got close enough Mullen unloaded with a left to the gut followed by a right to solar plexus bending him over. Once he was bent over he brought his right elbow down on the base of his neck. The man collapsed to the floor.
Tony started to applaud him: "Come on, everyone, give the man a hand."
Tony stopped clapping then looked at Bennie: "You have to admit that impressive."
"Are you looking to die?" asked Buscetta.
"I'm looking to talk to Vincent. Tell him Tony wants to talk. He knows my number," said Tony.
"Kid, you are buying yourself a shitload of trouble," said Buscetta.
"Bennie, I bought that the day I born into this fucking Family," snarled Tony.
"I'll talk to Vincent," said Buscetta.
"Grazie," said Tony.
"Arrivederci," said Buscetta.
Tony and Mullen walked out of the social club. A light rain had started to fall making it feel colder than it was.
"That went well," said Mullen.
"You are fucking nuts," Tony said.
"I've been fighting since I got out of the womb. I fought Golden Gloves, I fought my father to go to college, I fought for grad school, and when the mob buried my father, I kicked the shit out of the first mobster I saw. Hell, when I became a Fed I had to fight my co-workers to trust Paddy Mullen's son," said Mullen. "At least, this time I'm fighting the right opponent."
"Believe me I know how you feel," said Tony, as he turned up his collar to the rain and walked back To the SUV.
"I guess that's why we make good partners," smiled Mullen as he followed.
NCIS
Ziva got a message from Officer Bashan the night before to come to the Israeli Embassy. The tone of his voice on her smart phone said it wasn't a request. First thing in the morning she called Gibbs and let him know she had to go to the embassy. He grunted an okay.
As she drove her red Mini-Cooper to the Embassy, her stomach churned. If she was being recalled to Israel she couldn't say no. But she would want to. She didn't want to leave her team, or Gibbs, or Tony. There was a time when her orders came and she left in hours without a thought or regret but those days were over.
Parking in the employee section, she entered in the back of the embassy where Officer Bashan was waiting for her.
"Ziva, Eli wishes to discuss an assignment with you," he said.
"What kind of assignment, Michael?" she asked.
"Kidon," he answered not sounding happy about it.
"On US soil?" she asked.
"Yes," he answered, as they walked to an elevator which they took down to the basement.
Once in the basement they continued to a high security door. Bashan used a key card to let him and Ziva in. They entered an operational control and command.
Bashan barked a few orders and the visage of Eli David, solemn, greying and stoic, came onto the screen. A slight smile creased his face when he saw his daughter.
"Ziva, I have a mission for you," he said.
"Yes, Abba," she replied.
"Malachi Ben-Gidon and Michael Rivkin are headed to America. You will team with them on an assignment to punish those who have hurt our country," he said.
"Yes, Abba," she said softly.
"One of the mafia five Families have been selling arms and munitions to a terrorist group. We want you three to find out which Family then cut the head off of the snake, kill their leadership," he ordered.
"But, Abba, you want us to do this on American soil," she said.
"Yes. I know there is an FBI NCIS Task Force working on dealing with these Families and your associate is co-leading it. I also now know that is was born into the Genovese Family. We missed that the first time we profiled him," he said.
"He was not a priority back then," she said.
"He is now. If he interferes with our mission, I told Michael to kill him," he said. "He is part of that trash, so I have no problem removing him if he becomes a problem."
"He is not part of the family. He turned his back on them when he was but twelve, Abba," Ziva defended Tony.
"Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo is a blood relative to men who may have sold guns and bullets and bombs used against our people. If he gets in the way of your mission, he dies. No argument," he said. "This is about protecting Israel and sometimes to protect Israel with have to punish abjectly those who have taken a hand against us. Do you understand, daughter?"
"Yes, Abba," Ziva said, as she tried to control her emotions.
"Malachi will lead, but Michael is under my order to take care of DiNozzo," Eli stated. "You will help find the truth then you can return to NCIS."
"Yes, Abba," she said.
"Shalom," was his final word and the screen went blank.
Bashan escort Ziva out of the C&C and into the empty hallway.
"I hope it does not come to Agent DiNozzo being killed. I know he is innocent. His only fault is being born into his family," said Bashan.
"A family which has ignored him and abused him and treated him like a stranger, but we will kill him because he is a blood relative. If it was Fornell who got in our way, we would remove him gently, but Tony we will kill," spat Ziva.
"It isn't fair, but blood has a deep mean to us. You know that, Ziva," said Bashan.
"If you were in my father's position, would you handle it the same way, Michael?" she asked him.
"No, Ziva, I would not. I would not have my men kill the man my daughter loved just because his Family may have hurt Israel," he said.
"Love? I do no…," she began to speak.
"Yes, you do love him. You did back when I showed you those photos of his visits to your apartment. You love this Anthony DiNozzo. I hope he survives this madness, though, your father is making it difficult for that to happen," said Bashan.
"I hope so, too, Michael," said Ziva. She thought about Tony. He was dealing with a family that hated him, wanted him dead, to be targeted now by her family in a way. She needed to somehow figure out a way to protect him, to protect the man she loved.
NCIS
Gibbs sat glaring at the TAD brought in to replace Tony while he was gone. McGee had been given the assignment to train him up, but so far all that they managed to do was piss Gibbs off. McGee over explained and Agent Hill took notes. Notes! This wasn't school, Gibbs thought. You listen, watch and do not take notes.
McGee had hill pull his chair over to his desk and then started giving him more lessons on the computer. Is this a freaking grammar school? He is actually giving him lessons. DiNozzo, you better get home soon.
Jenny Shepard walked into the bullpen and noticed Gibbs glaring at McGee and the TAD. She walked over to his desk.
"Thank God you can't kill with a look," she said.
"I miss DiNozzo," Gibbs said.
"I know, Jethro. You and Tony are NCIS legends. He is the only one to come through teaming with you as a pair then as your SFA in a team without either asking for a transfer, being fired, or having a nervous breakdown. He is meant to be your number two," she said.
"I don't like him in New York without proper backup," he said.
Jenny smiled then looked at Ziva' empty desk.
"Where is Ziva?" she asked.
"Had to go to the embassy today," Gibbs aid.
Just then Ziva stepped off the elevator and strode into the bullpen. Jenny knew her well enough to read her body language. She was stiff and overly controlled, which meant she was dealing with bad news. Ziva dropped her bag then looked at Jenny and Gibbs.
"I have to make a request for some time off," she said.
"What happening, Ziva?" Gibbs asked.
"I am going on an assignment for Mossad, Gibbs. I cannot say no. I am Mossad," she said.
"Just one assignment then back here?" asked Jenny.
"Yes, Director Shepard," answered Ziva.
"Well, that isn't too bad. Hopefully, it is a quick assignment," Jenny said.
"Length is indeterminate," she said.
"I'm losing my team and I don't like it on bit, Jenny," growled Gibbs.
"Not losing, Jethro, having them borrowed piece by piece," Jenny corrected him.
"Losing them," he retorted.
"Believe me, Gibbs, I do not want to go, but I have to. It is my duty. My father gave me my orders personally," said Ziva.
"Maybe this assignment will teach Eli that you belong here," said Jenny.
Ziva nodded.
"Do you want another TAD?" Jenny asked Gibbs.
His answer was a glare then he got up and stormed out of the bullpen.
"He is grouchy," said Ziva.
"He's missing, Tony," said Jenny.
"Oh," was Ziva's reply. She was missing him, too.
Jenny looked at her closely then smiled.
"I think that you are missing him, too. Is there something I should know, Ziva," Shepard smiled.
"No, Director, nothing I can talk about now," Ziva said.
"You know where my office is, Ziva, If you need to talk to anyone," said Jenny.
"Thank you, Jenny," she said then attempted a smile.
"I'm glad you and Tony have become close friends. I think you suit each other well," said Jenny, who then retreated back to her office.
NCIS
Fornell forced Tony into taking a meeting with him at One Police Plaza with some of the officers in the NYPD Organize Crime Task Force. Tony didn't want to have too much interaction with the NYPD. They were one of the few police departments he avoided when he was starting off as a cop because they were also a department that just didn't believe the son of Anthony DiNozzo and nephew of Vincent DiNozzo was capable of being straight.
Located on Park Row the building was a red rectangle that looked like it should house a government bureaucracy. They arrived at eleven in the morning and went through the security without a hitch and were led to a conference room on the fifth floor. They sat there waiting in the dull white room. Tony spun his chair around so he could stare out of the window.
Lt. Mike Folks and Det. Mickey Hatcher entered the conference along with Captain Dennis Lehan. Folks was in uniform while the other two were plainclothes.
"Fornell, I'm glad you came again today and you brought," he paused for a moment, "Agent DiNutso."
"DiNozzo. I pronounce it DiNozzo," said Tony.
"Still doesn't stop you from being Anthony the Gents kid," said Lehan.
"Anthony the Gent," repeated Tony. "Really, that's what you call him."
"Yeah, what do you call him? Dad," snarled Hatcher.
"I don't call him at all," said Tony then he looked over at the man.
Hatcher was a brute and he had the body and mindset for it.
"I don't like," Hatcher said to Tony.
"Is it my suit? It's Zegna," smiled Tony. "What's your Sears?"
"Fuck you, Wop," said Hatcher.
"Is this really necessary?" asked Fornell.
"No, it's not," said Lehan then he glared at Hatcher.
"Special Agent DiNozzo has never even had a hint of dirt to him. He keeps no association with his relative," said Fornell.
"Why is here then?" asked Lehan.
"Because he knows the players," said Fornell.
"How if he doesn't have an association?" asked Lehan who stared at Tony.
"Osmosis," answered Tony.
Lehan smiled.
"Who is Tommy Scalia?" asked Tony.
"He's an ambitious son-of-a-bitch. Some say that some of the Young Turks from each other Families have given him their loyalty. He wants to be a capo di tutti capi, boss of all bosses," said Lehan.
"What's the nut on him?" asked Tony.
"He's just crazy enough to succeed. He's got the men, they say he's made an alliance with the latest version of the Westies, the Irish mob in New York, and it said that one or two of the Families wouldn't mind seeing him taking down one of the big boys and succeeding. Gambino is big," said Lehan.
"And Genovese is the biggest," said Tony.
"Because of your uncle and father," added Hatcher.
"Yeah, well, you can't choose family," said Tony.
"I don't trust him," said Folks.
"You don't have to," said Fornell. "He works with me and I trust him enough to give him a free reign."
"Scalia was behind Franco's death and the failed job against Vincent and Anthony DiNutso," said Tony.
"The war has begun," said Lehan. "It only gets bloodier from here."
"Unless we crack down on things and start making arrests," said Fornell.
"Sounds easy. It ain't, though," Hatcher said.
"The Genovese Family is too damned well run and the Gambino family is going to end up with a better, smarter capo with Franco's death," said Lehan.
"It looks like the blood has only started to flow," said Fornell.
Tony spun his chair back around and stared back out of the window. He needed to talk to Vincent. He better call me soon.