Chapter 39
Rule 9
1815 hours, 16 November 2001, W 107th St & Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, New York.
"So, you gonna see your brother and his girlfriend while they're in town?" asked Detective 1st Grade John McBain as he watched his young partner stair out the window.
"Probably not" replied Detective 3rd Grade Erica Jane Barrett. Yes, she loved her younger brother and sister, but admittedly, she live a completely different life than they did. Liat & Three were Unit Operators, and Liat was the Unit's undercover asset inside Mossad. Erica Jane knew exactly how many strings her father and grandfather had pulled to get her her Detective's badge. It's funny, it was only 6 months earlier that Tony, the man she considered to be her father, killed her biological father, Colonel Edward James Barrett.
However, in the aftermath of it all, Tony & Kate DiNozzo had welcomed her with open arms. And now he saw them as her parents. The most difficult part of her new job was the fact that her grandfather was one of the most notorious Mob bosses in the United States. And while she knew neither her father nor grandfather would ever ask her to, she was determined to keep them safe. She would do her damnedest to make sure any investigation into the Corinthos Mob Family would be steered in the wrong direction. Hell, to people who were in the know, it was the Corinthos-DiNozzo Mob Family, seeing as how her father was the Underboss and Aire Apparent.
EJ wasn't sure exactly how much her partner knew about her Mafia connections, but honestly, she didn't care. Yes, she was determined to keep her family safe, she was also a police officer. If the case wasn't connected to her family, she would give it her all to put the guilty away.
Erica Jane's train of thought was ripped from it's tracks when their car radio crack. "Any unit in vicinity, 10-11: silent alarm tripped at convenience store, 4532 W 98th Street, cross street Broadway, any unit in vicinity, please respond" said the radio dispatcher.
"That's just 9 blocks from here" Erica Jane realized. She watched as her partner quickly grabbed the radio.
"Dispatch, this is Unit 2, Detectives McBain and Barrett responding" John said as he turned over the ignition on the black 1971 Dodge Challenger. The 440 cubic inch RB V8 engine roared to life. McBain put the car in gear and they sped off. A minute later the radio cracked again.
"Unit 2, be advised, 10-10 reported at same location. We have shots fired, repeat shots fired" the dispatcher said.
"Copy that Dispatch" Erica Jane said when she grabbed the radio. John quickly flicked on the siren as the car flew down the road. John made the turn off of Broadway onto West 98th Street and slammed on the breaks. John and Erica quickly exited the car and drew their weapons just as 2 men were rushing out of the store. "Freeze, NYPD!" Erica yelled loudly as she aimed her weapon. The 2 men quickly drew their own guns. John and Erica were left with no choice but to defend themselves. Erica, who was armed with a P226 Sig Sauer, and John, armed with his non-police issue AMT Automag V.
The 2 groups exchanged fire. Erica Jane and John fired 1st, killing the 2 suspects. While John called it in, Erica Jane quickly rushed over to check on the 2 men. Both were dead. "They're dead" Erica Jane said as John walked over.
"Congrats Barrett, you popped your cherry" John joked. "Come on, let's check inside" he said. Erica picked up her gun, and the 2 carefully entered the convenience store. It was deserted.
"John" Erica said. "Blood" she pointed to a stream of blood on the floor. John stepped in front of his younger partner. He rounded one of the shelves and stopped.
"We got another one" he said as he squatted down to examine the young women in a silk red dress. He checked for a pulse and shook his head when he didn't find one. He stood up and walked to the front counter, where there was a red leather clutch purse. He walked over and opened it. "No id" he said. "We'll have to run her prints" he said.
"No we don't" EJ said as she examined the body for herself. "I know who she is" she said.
"You do?" John asked.
"Yeah, I do" she replied. "I'll be back before the ME arrives" she said as she quickly rushed out.
1845 hours, 16 November 2001, Radio City Music Hall, Manhattan, New York City, New York.
Fortunately, it was only a short walk for Erica Jane. Knowing her father would want to be there, she had called him on the way. She walked into the theater, presented her credentials to a Secret Service Agent, she made her way inside. She then walked up to the 1st Secret Service Agent she could find. "Agent" she said as she walked up.
"Yes Mam, how can I help you?" he replied.
"Detective Barrett" she said as she showed him her badge. "I need to speak with Staff Sergeant Anthony DiNozzo III, please" she said.
"Yes Detective, I'll have him brought out" the agent told her. EJ took a deep breath as she watched the agent enter the theater. She was about to tell her younger brother, that his girlfriend, with whom he had fallen in love with, was dead. EJ took a deep breath as she watch as Three smiled as he walked down the hallway towards her, a smile that EJ knew would soon disappear.
"Hey Sis, what's up?" Three asked. EJ took a deep breath before she spoke.
"Three, I'm so sorry" EJ began, speaking softly.
"Sorry about what?" Three asked.
"Three, Karine DuBois is dead" she said.
"What, what are you talking about? I just saw her not 15 minutes ago" Three told her in disbelief.
"Three, she walked into the middle of an armed robbery down the street. She was killed" EJ said. "I am so, so, sorry. She took 3 shots to the torso. She didn't make it" EJ said as she watched tears roll down her younger brother's face.
"No, that's not possible" Three shook his head in disbelief as tears continued to roll down his cheeks.
"I am so sorry" EJ told him as she cautiously took a step forward. She lunged forward even further as Three's knees gave out and Three collapsed into her arms. Erica Jane pulled him into a tight hug. As Three continued to cry.
"Damn it!" Three yelled as she pushed EJ away and he bolted from the building.
"Three!" EJ yelled as she ran after him. she made it out of the building just in time to see Three get into his Mustang and drive off. "God damn it" EJ said.
1900 hours, 16 November 2001, Marshlands- Colleton Family Estate, St. Matthew's South Carolina.
Tony wasn't happy. He had just gotten off the phone with his daughter, and this wasn't good. Karine DuBois was dead. Once he finished the call, he immediately rounded up a pair of his men: Cole & Weston. "Ok listen up" he told them. "Karine was just killed in New York. I have no idea if this is an isolated incident, or something worse. I need you 2 to do a perimeter check post ricki-tick" Tony ordered.
"We're on it Top" said Cole.
"Mums the word gentlemen, I don't need any panicking" he added.
"Yes Sir" Weston said as he and Cole hurried off to do a full perimeter check. As soon as they were out of sight, Meg, Chester and Deeks walked out of the ballroom.
"What's up Top?" Chester asked.
"I need to leave, I'm taking Deeks and Meg with me. I need you to fill in for me as father of the bride" Tony told Chester.
"On it" Chester said as he walked back inside.
"Deeks, get a car, we're liberating Anne's private jet" Tony said.
"Right" Deeks said as he rushed off.
"Ok, so now that we're alone, what's really going on?" Meg asked.
"Sonny & Olivia were in attendance tonight. If this is business related, Sonny wants his Consigliore" Tony said.
"Ok then" Meg smiled.
Back inside the ball room, everyone was clapping as Anne unveiled Billy's gift to Izzy… A butterfly ice sculpture. In the background, sisters Robin and Catherine watched in bewilderment as Izzy jumped with joy. "I don't get it" Robin said.
"Me either" Catherine added. "When I get married, it's gonna be small and simple" she said.
"Amen" Robin said as she and Catherine clinked glasses. Meanwhile across the room by the bar, Tali & Malachi also watch on.
"Wanna go for a walk?" Malachi asked.
"Sure" Tali smiled. She and Malachi made their way outside and they began to walk the grounds.
"Ya know, this is something I really missed when I was in Israel" Mal told her.
"What?" she asked.
"Marshlands" he clarified. "I loved coming here when I was with the Unit" he said. "Even more so once you started living here" he said.
"Mal…" Tali said in a warning tone.
"Damn it, Tali, what happened to us?" he asked. "What happened to the promise we made on the runway?"
"I went out the door once you started sleeping with my sister" Tali said.
"Its only a physical relationship. She means nothing to me" he said.
"And what about me? I waited around for you for over a year, only to be made a fool of" she said. "I won't let that happen again" she said.
"Damn it Tali, you mean everything to me" he argued.
"And you meant, everything to me. Emphasis on the meant" Tali spat out.
"Tali, I love you, can't you see that?" he yelled.
"You selfish Jackass" Tali said as she jabbed her finger into his chest. "What do you think I felt, for years, I was in love with you and you knew it!" she yelled. "You knew and you kept me at arm's length. Never will to take that final step, not until you had one foot out the door" she spat out at him. "You never once, not once, had any consideration for me, for how I felt" she said. "You broke my heart, Malachi. I won't let you do it again" she said with tears in her eyes. Malachi quickly lunged forward and took her in his arms. He kissed her full on, with just as much passion as he had 13 months earlier on that runway. After a few minutes, Malachi finally pulled back and looked Tali right in the eyes.
"I can't go on any longer without being with you" he said firmly. "I love you, and I want to be with you" he said.
If you asked Malachi & Tali who made the 1st move, neither of them would be able to tell you. Malachi and Tali kissed with both fury and passion. As their tongues duel for control, Malachi picked Tali up bridal-style as she wrapped her arms around his neck. They quickly made their way to the nearest building, which happened to be one of the barns. As they made their way up to the hay loft, Tali silently prayed that she wouldn't regret this in the morning.
2200 hours, 16 November 2001, 4532 W 98th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York.
Fresh coffee in hand, EJ watched as CSU swept the crime scene. "Burning the midnight oil detective?" asked a voice from behind her. EJ turned and saw Tony, her dad, dressed in civvies.
"Gee, I wonder where I get that from" EJ smiled. "Hey dad" she said as they exchanged kisses on the cheek.
"This where it went down?" he asked her.
"Over there, in front of the counter" she pointed. "ME already took the body, but we outlined it" she said.
"It would appear that Karine was in the wrong place at the wrong time" Tony said.
"So it would" EJ said. "I got a gut feeling that that's what went down" she added.
"You know why I don't like gut feelings?" he asked her. "Because once you've got one, you see that evidence that backs it up" he said. "Tell me about the 2 pricks that did this" he said.
"Rocco Meduchi and Donald Klent, both have records" she read from her notebook.
"Let me know when you find their car" Tony said as he walked outside. "Dragnet, stay with EJ, maybe you'll learn something" he said to Deeks with a half-smile.
"Right Top" Deeks said. Tony walked outside the police tap, where Meg, who had changed into a business suit and beige, full-length windbreaker on the plane, was waiting for him.
"What's the verdict?" she asked as they walked away from the perimeter.
"It isn't right. The President is right around the street, this whole neighborhood was swarming with cops. Who the fuck tries to pull a hold-up in the middle of all this?" Tony said.
"No one said criminals were smart" Meg said.
"Thanks" Tony said sarcastically.
"Tony, I am once again forced to remind you, we are innocent until proven guilty" Meg smiled. Drawing a smirk from Tony. As they approached the far side of the street, they found the man they were looking for.
"Taking notes for your next crappy book, Castle?" Tony yelled. "Show some goddamn respect" Tony said as he grabbed the writer by the collars of his tuxedo and shoved him into an alley that was enclosed by a fence. Meg quickly closed the fence, which was covered with green privacy slats. Once Meg gave Tony a nod, he released Castle from his grip.
"Would you watch it" Rick complained as he smoothed out his suit.
"Quit complaining, little brother" Tony said. Richard "Rick" Edgar Castle, that was his name now anyway. However, he was born Richard Alexander Corinthos, in 1969, the oldest biological child of Sonny Corinthos and Olivia Falconeri. After Sonny made his big move back in 1985, when he had "Big" Paul Castellano killed, he thought it would be safer if Rick changed his name. And so he did. For the past 16 years, he had lived his life as Richard Castle, murder-mystery novelist. Like his big brother, Rick played football and basketball at Ohio State, even joining Tony & Clayton Webb on the Olympic team back in 88'. He graduated in 1990, and married his high school sweetheart, Kyra Blaine, in 1991. In 1994, his daughter, Alexis Olivia Castle was born. Kyra was no stranger to Rick's past, in fact, she surprisingly had no problem with it. Rick had never taken an active role in the family business. Kyra had been killed aboard United Airlines flight 93, on September 11th, and Tony was willing to bet anything that Kyra was one of the passengers that had fought back against the hijackers. But now, things were different. "I know that you're new at all this, but could you please not make yourself that obvious. You're our New York Caporégime for crying out loud"
"Sorry" Rick replied.
"Your identity is identity is supposed to be a secret" Meg emphasized.
"Quit arguing" said as voice from behind them. Sonny smiled as he walked toward them.
"Hey Dad" Tony and Rick said at the same time.
"My boys behaving themselves, Meg?" Sonny asked.
"Do they ever?" she replied. Sonny smiled. He was still dressed in his tux, but he had a wool overcoat over it, and he was also wearing gloves.
"What's the situation Tony?" Sonny asked him, not wanting to beat around the bush.
"According to EJ, it appears that Karine was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time"
"Appears?"
"It doesn't seem right. This entire neighborhood is swarming with cops, who the fuck tries a hold up now?" Tony said.
"People looking to cover something up" said a female voice from behind the group. Tony, Rick and Sonny quickly all drew their weapons. Tony, with his Inox, and Rick and Sonny with their Berettas.
"Easy fellas, its just me" EJ said as she help up her hands. "And as I was saying, there is more to Karine's death than meets the eye" she said. "back at the precinct, my partner dug deeper into the shooters' records; both have connections to the Gambino Crime Family" she said.
"Gotti" Tony, Sonny, Meg and Rick all said at once.
"Yeah" EJ said. "The ME also found this in one of their pockets" she said as she handed a small piece of paper to Tony.
"What is it?" Meg asked.
"It's Three's name, and the name of the convenience store" Tony replied ominously as he held it up.
"Ya know, Three got into it earlier, with Gotti. Three was holding Alexis and she sneezed on Gotti's arm. Gotti cursed and scared Alexis, so Three got in John Jr.'s face" Rick recalled. "Then, at intermission, Alexis was squirming, so Three left to get her a candy bar, but before he could leave, Secret Service told him that his mother needed to speak with him, and Karine volunteered to go. Three was worried that she had been stuck outside when she didn't make it back. Gotti was seated close enough to have overheard Three say he was leaving"
"And that pansy never goes anywhere without his boys nearby" Sonny said.
"Gotti knows who Three is, he knows he's my son and Sonny's Grandson" Tony said. "This was no stick-up, it was a murder" he concluded.
"So now what do we do?" Rick asked.
"Simple, Gotti hit us, so we hit back… hard" Tony said.
"I have to head back to DC with the President, can you handle it Tony?" Sonny asked.
"I'm due back in Kabul in 2 days, with the rest of the Unit" Tony replied.
"Meg?" Sonny asked.
"Billy's trial, I'm due back in Falls Church on Monday" she said.
"That leaves you Rick, can you handle it?" Sonny asked.
"I have Jimmy-Jack and Elena, that should be enough" Rick said.
"Well, Just in case, I'll Max & Milo here, use them as you see fit" Sonny said. "Can you spare anyone Tony?" he asked.
"With Three sidelined, Billy & Izzy due back in Falls Church, I can send Liat. I need everyone else though" he said.
"That's more than enough" Rick said.
"And me, you've got me too" said EJ. "I'm a member of this family too" she said firmly.
"Ok then" Sonny said. "But I want proof, absolute proof, before we strike"
"I'll get it" Erica Jane assured the group"
"Get it done Rick" Sonny said as the group broke up. As Erica Jane turned to leave, Tony grabbed her arm.
"EJ, I don't like you being involved" he told her.
"My siblings are already involved. That was a mistake, one that can't be undone. In that spirit, I'm invoking rule #1" she said. "DiNozzos don't sit on the sideline when their people are in trouble" she recited.
"Fine, remember this: Rule 9" Tony told her.
"I won't forget" she said. "I promise"
0700 hours, 17 November 2001, Marshlands- Colleton Family Estate, St. Matthews, South Carolina
When Tali awoke the next morning, she was naked, except for the blanket wrapped around her. The sun was just beginning to rise as she sat up and realized she was still in the hayloft from the night before. She also realized something else… she was alone. Wrapping the blanket tightly around her, she crawled over to the small window and looked out. The Chevy Yukon Mal had rented was gone. What she had feared, but put out of her head the night before, had come true. Just like he had done to her the year before, Malachi was gone. Tali felt so ashamed, used, betrayed. She had foolishly once again trusted Malachi with her body and her heart.
Only a few days earlier, she had spent the night in Marty's arms, and what more, he hadn't run by the time she woke the next morning. In fact, he hadn't run off period. That's when she decided to tell Marty everything. She wanted to move forward in her relationship with him, and she wanted him to know that she was in this for the long haul. Tali quickly found her clothing and climbed down from the loft, only to run into her Aunt Anne, who was trying to be as quiet as she could as she crept out from behind some of the bales of hay. Standing behind Anne, was none other than GSG-9 Captain/GFIS Officer Wolfgang Rommel.
"This never happened" Tali said firmly.
"Agreed" Anne and Wolfgang nodded.
"Eww" Tali said to herself as she did the walk of shame back towards the house. As she approached the front porch, she cursed herself as she found Bridget sitting there.
"Walk of shame?" Bridget asked as she sipped her morning coffee. Tali didn't reply. She just took a seat next to her. "Get lucky last night?" she asked.
"Last Night yes, this morning…" Tali said.
"Malachi left this morning with Dana. He's flying back to Israel in a few hours. If you hurry, you can probably still catch him" Bridget said.
"No thanks, I am finished with Malachi Ben-Gidon" Tali said. "It's over between us, that is, if there ever was an 'us'" she said. "Where's Deeks? I really need to see him?" she asked.
"I'm not sure. Chester told me that he left during the party last night with Tony and Meg" Bridget said. "So, Deeks wins after all" Bridget said.
48 hours later- 0900 hours local time, 19 November 2001, Bagram AFB, Bagram, Afghanistan.
"Tora Bora" Tony said as he pointed to the map. "The Spooks think this is where Bin Laden is holed up" he said.
"And it's our job to flush em out" Chester surmised.
"Indeed it is" Tony said. "No Rangers of this one boys. The ANA will make the main assault, and we have orders to support them, only" Tony said.
"Seriously Top?" Deeks asked.
"Seriously, direct orders from Lieutenant General McCrystal" Tony explained. '
"I hate that guy" Cole spoke up.
"Join the club" Deeks concurred.
"Are the Pakistanis gonna lockdown the border?" Chester asked.
"Oh yeah, and I'm the king of France" Tony said sarcastically.
"When do we move, Mon Colonel?" asked Junior Lieutenant Galtier?
"It's gonna take 7-10 days for the ANA to move their people into position" Tony answered.
"So, we're not looking at any action till at least the 24th, and that's at the very earliest?" Chester asked.
"Yep" Tony said as he folded his arms across his chest. "With Alpha Team's numbers depleted, I Bravo Team running daily recon into the target zone" he ordered. "Vegas?"
"Yes Sir?" Master Sergeant Gardocki replied.
"You were in Somalia right?" Tony asked.
"Yes Sir" he replied.
"Just like Delta did it then. I want y'all dressed in local garb, no English, Dari or Pashtu only" he ordered.
"When is Alpha gonna be back at full strength?" Cole asked.
"Hitman is finished, he ain't coming back, Sky Train is sidelined for a while, and Tali is handling some stuff stateside, and Izzy's pregnant, so" he stopped when everyone stared at him. "Oh, I guess I'm the only one that knew that" Tony smiled. "Yes, our own little Izabella is 5 months pregnant, due sometime in March" Tony said.
"I knew it, that explains all the last minute dress alterations, and why she wasn't in the field with us" Weston said.
"Glad to know someone was paying attention" Tony said. "Hit the sack guys, enjoy this brief lull while it lasts" Tony said as he exited the room.
Wanting some piece and quiet for a change, Tony made his way into the boneyard, amongst the shells of former soviet commercial liners. Tony reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigar. After he lit it, his peace & quiet was interrupted by oncoming footsteps. "Damn it, what now?" he yelled. He turned to see Deeks, his M4A1 slung over his shoulder, approaching him.
"What's up Deeks?" Tony asked.
"Can I ask you a question?" he asked.
"You just did" Tony told him.
"It's about Tali" Deeks said in a serious tone.
"What about her?" Tony asked.
"I would like you permission to date her" Deeks said.
"I thought you too were already dating?" Tony asked.
"We have a 'budding' relationship. I want your permission to date her, ya know 'go steady' or something" Deeks said.
"Wow, I'm pretty sure I haven't heard someone say 'going steady' since I was 10, but I digress" he paused. "You do know that I'm not Tali's father?" Tony asked.
"Sure, Tali and Colonel Colleton may share DNA, but she's closer to you than she is to anyone else" Deeks said.
Oh shit Tony thought when he heard Deeks talk about Tom & Tali sharing DNA. Tals must not have told Deeks that she isn't Tom's biological daughter. "Yeah, you might wanna talk to her about that, ya know, her family and such" Tony suggested.
"Hell, I know that me and her don't know a whole lot about each other's past and all that, but hell, there are things about me that she doesn't know" Deeks said.
"Like what?" Tony asked.
"My Son" Deeks said.
"Martin Jr." Tony replied and smiled at the look of pure shock on Deeks' face. "Your son's grandfather is an old friend" he explained.
"King Charles? You know the King of Romania?" Deeks asked.
"I know much more than that" Tony said. "I saved Alexi's life once, the King just gave me a medal" he said, bringing back very painful memories from long ago.
When King Josef's limo pulled up, Colonel Pavlov and Tony were the 1st ones out, followed by Clayton Webb. Once the area was deemed safe, King Josef and Princess Alexi exited the limo and they all proceeded inside. As they proceeded to the main ball room, Tony eyes scrambled around the room. He did a double take when he saw something on one of the upper balconies. Then, he saw it, a gun barrel poking through the curtain. "Gun" he yelled as he drew his 45. ACP from his shoulder holster. He fired 8 shots into the curtain. A man fell through the curtain, an AUG Assault Rifle in his hand. His body collapsed to the ground he was dead.
Then Tony caught sight of something in his peripheral vision. It was Foreign Minister Keppish charging towards the Princess, his hand clutching something as he raised his arm. "Die Capitalist Whore" he yelled
. With his clip empty and not time to reload, Tony did the only thing he could do. Tony dove straight in front of The Princess, using his body to shield hers. "NOOOOOOOOOOO!" he screamed. Keppish fried 6 shots from his Tokarev pistol, 3 of them hit Tony. The 1st 2 hit him in his right side, but the 3rd, struck him near the heart.
Reacting quickly, Colonel Pavlov, Webb, Chester, Colonel Colleton and Malachi all drew their sidearms and filled Keppish's torso with lead. His body dropped to the ground, dead.
Colonel Pavlov, Webb and King Josef went immediately to check on Princess Alexi who was unharmed. Kate came darting across the room.
"TONY!" she screamed. Malachi and Chester joined her as they slid to the ground to check on Tony. They rolled him over onto his back and saw that his chest wound was gushing blood.
"Hang on Top, stay with us" said Chester as he applied pressure to Tony's wound.
"Kate" said Tony as the blood pooled in his mouth. He raised up his hand, silently begging her to take it. Kate grabbed her beloved Husband's hand as she began bursting with tears.
"Tony Please, you can't leave me, I need you" she managed to get out, through the sobs. Tony tried to squeeze Kate's hand to reassure her, but found that he didn't have the strength to.
"Top! Top! Dammit Tony, stay with me" was all Tony heard as everything around him went black.
"That was you?" Deeks asked. Tony nodded. "I was in Romania at the time" he explained. "I ran away from home when I was 14, made it all the way to Virginia, where I was taken in by the Jones Family, I take it that you know them too, Frisco & Felicia?" Tony nodded again. "When I turned 16, Frisco helped me enlist. When I was 17, in 96', I was assigned to a the US Embassy in Bucharest. It was there that I met Alexi. We were young and stupid, and well, you know the rest" Deeks said. "I used to get leave every Christmas to see my Son, but I didn't get it last year, and I won't get it again this year" he continued. "Why didn't you say anything, to Tali, about my son I mean?" he asked.
"It wasn't my place to say anything" Tony told him. "But you do need to tell her" Tony said.
1200 hours, 22 November 2001, Roadhouse Diner, Richmond, Virginia.
"So you're really gonna do it?" the young man asked Bridget, as they sat across from one another.
"Yes Rex, I'm really gonna do it" Bridget assured him. Sitting across from her was 17-year old Rex Bartlett, Reggie Bartlett's kid brother.
"It's just that, with everything that's happened the past few months, me and Molly weren't sure anymore" Rex confessed.
"We go to court on December 24th" Bridget told him.
"We're really going through with this" Rex said.
"Yes Rex, for the last time, yes, I am going to adopt you and Molly" Bridget smiled.
2200 hours, 22 November 2001, Pier 4, Brooklyn, New York.
Rick and Erica Jane watched on as Jimmy-Jack Coonan, beat the ever living crap out of Nash Brennan, John Gotti Jr.'s driver, who was tied to a chair. "Just tell us what we want to know and this will all be over" Jimmy-Jack said.
Despite being a cop, Erica Jane was also a member of the Corinthos-DiNozzo Family. She was willing to do her part. She glanced over her shoulder at Max & Milo Giambetti, who were Sonny's, her grandfather, personal driver and bodyguards.
"He'll talk, it's only a matter of time" Liat said when she walked up. Unlike her older sister, Liat wasn't new to this lifestyle.
"Ok, ok, I'll tell you!" Brennan screamed. Rick smiled contently as he now stepped forward and stood in front of Brennan.
"Did Gotti give the order?" Rick asked. "Did he order Rocco Meduchi and Donald Klent to kill my nephew!?" Rick yelled.
"Yes" Brennan screamed, wanting the pain to stop.
"Thank you" Rick said as he turned around. as he walked away, he ran his thumb across his throat. Erica Jane nodded in reply. She stepped forward, picked up a can of gasoline, and doused Brennan with it. Once it was empty, she tossed it away and lit a cigarette.
"No please!" Nash begged.
"They always said, smoking will kill you" EJ said sadistically as she flicked the cigarette onto Nash, igniting the gasoline. Once the flames had engulfed the body, EJ drew her throw away gun, a 38. Snub nose and emptied it into Nash's chest. "Rule 9: Never underestimate your enemies' desire to kill you"
0830 hours, 23 November 2001, Corner of W 116st St & Lenox Ave, Harlem, New York City, New York.
"The Man I work for, your grandfather" Rick began as he, EJ and Liat walked down the street. "He owns of the biggest companies in New York City, hell, in America" he boasted. "He's run it for more than 20 years" he said as the group of 3 made their way into Huey's Diner. Outside, Max & Milo parked the car and waited. While the group of 3 took a seat at a table, Jimmy-Jack, who was Rick's driver and bodyguard, took a seat at the counter.
"The most important thing in business is honesty, integrity, hard work, family, never forgetting where we came from" Rick said as the waitress came by with 3 orders of Rick's usual. "See, you are what you are in this world, that's one of 2 things: either you're somebody, or you're nobody" he said as he looked out the window and saw just the man he was looking for. "Be right back" Rick said as he stood up and walked out, Jimmy-Jack quickly following. Rick quickly crossed the side street and came face to face with the man.
"Well, if it isn't Sonny's piece of shit son" said the man.
"And if it isn't the son of a bitch who tried to kill my nephew last week" Rick said. "You're outta luck this time Gotti" Rick snarled.
"Get the fuck outta here, Rick" he said. "I'm John Gotti Jr., you can touch me" he said. Rick reached into his waistband and drew his Beretta, and held it to Gotti's forehead. "Oh, what the fuck ya gonna do, Rick? Huh? What are you doing? You gonna shoot me in front of every" was all that got out before Rick pulled the trigger, turning Gotti's head into a canoe.
To the surprise of both Liat and EJ, Gotti's bodyguards did nothing. Rick Castle, aka Rick Corinthos was a force to be reckoned with in New York's underworld, and he just proved it. Rick quickly returned to the diner and took his seat.
"Now, where was I?"
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A/N- (EJ's voice)- Next time on "28 Seconds: Strength & Honor"-
As Tali and Deeks discuss their future, they both soon realize they both have dark pasts. Meanwhile Clayton Webb arrives at Bagram and asks Tony for a huge favor. Then, just as Three reaches his breaking point, he discovers a new reason to live. Finally, as Bridget pleads her case for custody of Rex & Molly, she receives a stunning surprise in court.