Chapter 4

After making sure the gold was loaded safely into an armored vehicle and on the way to the HPD evidence lockup under the watchful eye of Lou Grover, Steve and Danny headed back to HQ and continued to look for clues in the old case files while Chin and Kono went to talk with one of their contacts about the information they'd picked up on their return trip to the bar.

At a little after 6:00 P.M., Catherine arrived with several warm pizzas. "I figured you might need help." She smiled as she sat the boxes on the table. "And something to eat."

"You're a genius." Steve kissed her on the cheek. "Are the kids ok?"

"Carrie and John are taking them mini-golfing and out for ice cream," Catherine said. "They're so excited they barely noticed I was leaving." She lifted up a slice of pizza and took a bite. "So, what have I missed? Are we getting any closer to definitively ID'ing these guys?"

Steve leaned against the table, wiped pizza grease off his lips with a napkin, and said, "We know at least one of them was most likely living here, keeping an eye on the hidden gold. And since he hung out at the bar with the same group of guys all the time I think we can assume they're some of the other missing men."

"Absolutely." Danny nodded adamantly as he picked a pepperoni off his pizza and popped it in his mouth. "When you're sitting on a stash of gold that big you don't start making new friends. Not to mention you keep the ones you already have very close so you can keep an eye on them. You don't want to make the circle of people who know your secret any bigger than you have to. That just increases the chance of someone snitching."

Kono and Chin made their way across the bullpen and into Steve's office and immediately spotted the pizza boxes.

"Pizza! Excellent." Chin smiled widely as he grabbed a napkin.

"I'm starving," Kono said as she did the same. "I was afraid dinner was going to be the vending machine again tonight."

"You can thank Catherine," Steve said around another bite. "She brought the pizza."

Kono's eyes lit up. "Does that mean …"

"Yes." Catherine grinned. "I got you pineapple. It's the box sitting over there farthest from Danny."

"Let's keep it that way," Danny grumbled. "The smell of that abomination will ruin my enjoyment of my perfectly good pepperoni only slice."

"Before this devolves into a pizza topping debate," Steve said. "Let's review what we know for sure."

Danny grabbed a stack of files. "I've been digging into these records from New Jersey. As far as I can tell, the last sighting of any of the five missing guys in Jersey was two weeks after the bank robbery. A neighbor saw both Enzo and Gianni at their mother's house, along with a few other guys he didn't know."

"It makes sense they wouldn't leave right away," Catherine said. "They would have to make arrangements to move the gold. It's not like they could just pack it in their carry-ons."

"Right," Danny agreed. "But Arturo Capprizzi was boiling mad and wanted them all dead so they had to get out as fast as they could."

"We talked to a contact of ours who knows some of the guys who hang out at the same bar the guy we assume is Gianni Bertollini hung out at," Kono said just before she took a bite of pizza. "Man, this pineapple is delicious."

Danny rolled his eyes. "What did your contact say?"

"Apparently we stirred some things by going back there," Chin reported. "There's been a lot of chatter going on. Especially about one specific guy."

Kono picked up the story. "He was the one that everybody says was closest to the guy with the book. We hear there was even a pretty strong resemblance between them."

"Enzo Bertollini," Steve said. "Gianni's brother."

"That's what we were thinking," Chin nodded.

"Does your contact have a name for the guy?" Catherine asked hopefully.

"No." Kono finished her pizza and took a seat beside Danny. "Just a description. Six feet tall. Olive complexion. Stocky build. Beady eyes. Thin lips."

"That could be anybody," Steve said.

"Our guy also said he wears a very distinctive gold chain and always dresses in fancy suits. No tie. Shirt unbuttoned halfway down," Chin added.

"So in other words, the perfect cliche of a Jersey mobster," Danny sighed.

After two more hours of scouring the files for any connection between the Bertollini brothers and the island of Oahu prior to their disappearance, Steve checked his watch. He wanted to be sure to make it home in time to spend a little time with the kids, and maybe squeeze in an extra story, before they fell asleep.

"Alright everyone, let's break for tonight. We all need to get a little rest and come at this tomorrow with fresh eyes. We'll focus on finding a Hawaiian connection for Bertollini and identifying the guy in the gold chain."

"You don't have to tell me twice," Danny said as he stood up.

"I'll see you all in the morning," Chin said as he picked up another slice of pizza for the road.

"It's my turn to get donuts," Kono called over her shoulder as she headed for the bullpen.

As the team dispersed, Steve wrapped an arm over Catheirne's shoulders and waggled his eyebrows. "What do you say after we get the kids to bed you and I spend some time taking our minds off this case?"

Catherine grinned. "I say I like the way you think."

When the rest of the team arrived the next morning, Danny was already standing at the smart table, studying the overhead screens.

"I came in early and pulled all the surveillance photos from unsolved cases here on the island that involve any connection to organized crime over the last 10 years," Danny said. "I figured a zebra never really changes its stripes, right?"

"Isn't it 'a leopard never changes its spots'?" Chin asked.

"Whatever." Danny waved his hand. "What do we think the chances are that this guy went straight? Maybe he fell back into old patterns. Luckily the guys in these pictures tend to embrace a more casual look. So a fancy suit and gold chains is gonna really stand out."

Danny swiped to the next picture.

Then the next.

Then the next.

An hour and a half later they were still looking.

"There he is!" Kono shouted as a new picture filled the screen.

The others studied the photo. Three men, two of them tall blondes and the other an elderly man with a cane, stood on a street corner just outside a warehouse.

"Where?" Steve asked. "I don't see anyone who fits the description in that picture."

"The bench!" Kono said excitedly. "The picture on the bench! All night I kept thinking the description of the gold chain guy sounded familiar. Now I know why. His face is plastered on every bus stop bench on this side of the island."

Danny enlarged the picture.

"Edward Barton. Island Realty. Let us make your dreams come true," he read. "We can't see his build, but the facial description fits."

"And that's definitely a chunky gold chain," Kono said.

"The age fits." Steve studied the picture. "Can you put the pictures of the Bertollini brothers up beside that one?"

Danny tapped a few buttons and the requested pictures appeared.

"Looks like the same guy to me," Steve said. "I can't believe he was that stupid. Anybody visiting Hawaii from New Jersey could have seen that picture and blown his cover."

Kono shrugged. "Maybe after all this time he felt like he was safe."

"Well let's go pay Mr. Barton a visit and let him know he is very much not safe here," Steve said.

As they gathered their gear and headed towards their cars, the bright morning sun cast a long shadow on the palace, Steve called Lou to have SWAT at the ready.

A quick call to Mr. Barton's office revealed that he was working from home for the day.

After nearly an hour's drive, they came to the beautiful beachfront high rise where Edward Barton lived. "Let's do this," Steve said as he donned his tac vest. "According to property records Barton lives on the top floor. There's only one other condo on that level and it's currently unoccupied so there shouldn't be any neighbors to worry about. Lou, have your guys close off access to that floor as soon as we get up there."

"Will do," Lou said.

They stepped into the lobby, their presence immediately garnering attention. The team entered the elevator along with several members of SWAT and pressed the button for the top floor.

"I need the key to turn this elevator off," Lou told the very nervous looking doorman who reached behind his desk and produced the requested item immediately.

Once he knew the team had reached the top floor, Lou turned off the elevator and headed for the stairs with several more of his men who would station themselves in such a way they could make sure no one was able to access the penthouse while the operation was underway.

"Five 0! Open up!" Steve barked when the team assembled outside the condo door, guns drawn. They could hear someone moving around inside but they got no verbal response.

"I'll ask you one more time, then I'm gonna kick the door down," Steve said loudly.

Still, no response.

So true to his word, Steve kicked the door in. As the doorframe splintered and the door itself flew open it revealed the man they were here to see, Edward Barton, standing behind his desk in a white t-shirt and gray shorts.

His expression was equal parts arrogance and fear.

He slowly reached towards his top desk drawer.

"Put your hands up," Steve barked. "You move one more millimeter towards that drawer and I'm gonna have to shoot you."

The tension in the air was palpable. The room was virtually silent, the only sound echoing through the air was the man's breathing.

Steve, his voice steady yet filled with authority, broke the silence. "We know who you are. We know about your connection to Gianni Bertollini and the gold missing from the bank in New Jersey. Just put your hands up and don't make this harder than it has to be."

The man's face contorted with disingenuous shock. "I have no idea what you're talking about," he said in an unmistakable Jersey accent. "I'm a realtor. My name is Edward Barton. I've lived here my whole life."

"Seriously?" Danny scoffed. The man was sporting not one, but two matching gold chains. "That's your story? With that accent?"

Since he was sure Steve had Enzo covered he lowered his gun and pulled out his phone. He scrolled to surveillance pictures taken during the initial robbery.

"You're saying this isn't you? Give me a break! We know all about your involvement with the Capprizzi family and your real identity."

The man's eyes darted to each of the team members one by one, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. "You can't prove anything," he said defiantly. "I can explain it all."

Steve looked at Danny, eyebrows raised. "This guy was the supposed brains of the operation? It's amazing they stayed hidden this long."

He turned his attention back to Edward Barton, aka Enzo Bertollini. "Put your hands on your head and walk towards me slowly. Once we have you cuffed we can talk all you want."

"We didn't rob no bank," Barton insisted. "We were set up."

"Is that so?" Danny said. "The surveillance photos say different."

"Where are your brother and Roberto Rinaldi?" Steve asked.

"I haven't seen them guys in years," Barton said in an absolutely unconvincing tone.

"Fine," Steve said. "You're willing to sacrifice yourself to protect the rest of your crew? I couldn't care less. I'll just ship you back to Jersey and let them figure things out."

"Of course that means you'll be in jail there until they do," Danny said. "What do you think the chances are that the Capprizzis have forgotten about you? How long do you think it'll take them to get to you?"

Barton stuck out his chin in a move dripping with false bravado. "I'm not worried."

"I hear Arturo and Rufino both retired. Sunning themselves down the shore. Arturo's son is the capo now. From what I'm told he lacks the finesse his father and uncle had. He rules by intimidation. But if you feel comfortable taking your chances with him …" Danny's voice trailed off.

Barton's facade of confidence crumbled, his voice wavered just a bit. "Okay, fine. I was part of the Capprizzi family. I helped hit that bank. But that was years ago, I've changed. I swear. Totally straight since the day I stepped foot on this island."

Steve stared at him. "You think a few years of good behavior, assuming you've been as clean as you say, can absolve you? You think the folks back home have short memories. You think they wouldn't still gladly take you out if they knew you were here?"

"What were you thinking putting your face on those benches?" Chin asked.

"You realize this island is crawling with tourists, right?" Kono asked. "Lots of them are from New Jersey. It was only gonna be a matter of time until someone spotted you."

The man's voice cracked, a hint of desperation creeping in. "There's a lot more competition in the real estate game these days. I don't have the energy to grind like some of those young guys. I need to keep my name out there. I figured after this long no one would care anymore. I deserve a fresh start. I haven't done anything wrong since the day we left New Jersey."

"Except set yourself up with stolen gold and, from the looks of it, continuing to use it to fund your lifestyle," Danny said.

"Ok, maybe I used some to get my business started, but that's all. I'm good at what I do. I earned everything I have. I deserve something for staying out of trouble this long."

Lou stepped in and heard the tail end of the conversation after clearing the area. The SWAT commander's voice was cold, "You think you can just walk away? There are consequences for your actions, man. You really wanna take all the blame yourself? Think about what happens if you get shipped back to Jersey."

As the tension reached its peak, the man's eyes darted towards the window, a flicker of hope in his gaze. Before anyone could react, he ran for the balcony, his desperation driving him to the edge.

Steve lunged forward and caught hold of him, their bodies entangled at the railing.

Danny rushed towards them, as with every ounce of strength, Steve grappled with the man, determination etched into his features. "You're not getting off that easy." He pulled him back inside.

The man's eyes, filled with fear and uncertainty, flickered between the depths below and the faces before him. Slowly, the fight drained from his body, his grip faltered, and he surrendered.

"Okay, okay. I'm Gianni Bertolini's brother, Enzo. We came here after we left Jersey and started a new life with a new name. He became a reclusive stock trader named Jonathon Baker-Lewis and I became Edward Barton, realtor.

"When Arturo Capprizzi put out the hit on us, me, Gianni, Robby, Cass, and Felix made plans to run. We figured Hawaii was about as far as we could get away without needing passports. Felix has a brother that ran drugs to the west coast. He flew all of us, plus the gold, to California. We paid some ship's captain not to ask too many questions about our cargo and made our way here. After a couple of years Cass and Felix headed back to the mainland. Me, Gianni and Robby stayed here and went on with our lives.

"I heard Cass got run over by a jealous girlfriend a while back. I have no idea where Felix is."

"He's at the zoo," Danny said, eliciting a chuckle from the rest of the team. "Where I wish I was instead of having to watch you make my home state look bad."

He cuffed Enzo's hands in front of him.

"Huh?"

"He passed away," Danny said. "Natural causes."

"That might be for the best." Enzo sighed. "That guy was bad news. I was happy when he decided to leave."

"Where's your brother now?" Danny asked.

"He…" Enzo crossed himself. "My brother's dead. He died last year. He always drove too damn fast and he missed a curve. Bobby Rinaldi and I swapped the body for a dead homeless guy - we didn't kill the guy - Bobby worked at the county morgue. Says it's the perfect job for him on account of how dead bodies don't bother him.

"Anyway, Gianni was gone and we buried him on the North Shore under a fake name. Funny thing is… I never touched the gold after he died. I was too scared of blowing everything and ending up in federal lockup." He laughed ironically. "Now I'm screwed anyway." He touched the gold chains around his neck. "Our ma gave us these when we got communion. I couldn't bury him in it, so I started wearing his, too. Could you please…" He indicated the clasps on the necklaces that he couldn't reach due to the handcuffs. "Can you take these off me before I get locked up and make sure my ma gets Gianni's back?"

Steve shook his head and motioned to Danny to go ahead and book the suspect.

"Looks like the move to the rainbow state didn't get you a pot of gold," Danny said. Guiding him towards the hall, he thought of a mother back in Jersey who'd lost both of her sons not once, but now twice and sighed. "Let's go. You have the right to remain silent…"

THE END

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