Chapter 4

While inside the house, Frank managed to place three small listening devices: one in the living room and two in the hallway. If Vincent hadn't been in the room with them, he could have planted more, but it couldn't be helped. At least he had access to the inside of the house. This could prove interesting, as Antonia seemed to be a wildcard. He wanted to get home and make a call to see if the bugs were working.

As soon as Frank closed the door behind him, Anthony picked up his cell phone and called his lawyer. He said, "Tim, I want everything you can find out about Frank Gennaro, my neighbor's kid. Full medical records and everything, from the time he left high school to the day he walked back into his house yesterday. I need it by Tuesday."

Tim Robins couldn't figure out why his boss had given him so much time. Usually, when Anthony Caruso wanted something, he wanted it yesterday. It was a rare opportunity for Tim to stay at home and watch his daughter's softball game this afternoon, something he hadn't been able to do in a very long time. This kid Frank must not be that important.

During the week, Frank walked around the neighborhood, meeting and greeting all the old neighbors and some of his old friends who were still around. He could feel eyes watching him as he took his walks but did nothing to show that he was ill at ease. He noticed pictures being taken of him through car windows as he walked and was sure that his parents' house was under surveillance.

On Wednesday morning, Frank was picked up by a military sedan and taken to the veteran's hospital in Queens for his "Final Checkup and Military Discharge." Both he and the driver immediately noticed the car tailing them. While he was in the bowels of the building, he briefed his handlers on what he had accomplished to date and what was going to be going on in the near future.

They couldn't believe his luck. Gaining access to the inside of Anthony Caruso's house was like a dream come true. Wiretaps had never worked because Tony always used throwaway cell phones, and getting a court order had become impossible. Tony's windows were wired with sound, disrupting any attempts at listening to conversations from long-range microphones, and now they had unfettered access to the inside of the Don's house.

As Frank stepped out of the hospital, he headed towards the parking lot, hoping to catch a ride home. Suddenly, he heard a horn honking. He glanced to his right and spotted Anthony in a fancy limo, waving at him. Frank waved back with a smile.

"Hey, Frank, need a lift home?" Anthony called out.

"Sure thing! Just gotta let my usual driver know I'm not riding with him today. Mind holding onto these papers for me until I get back?" Frank replied, handing Anthony the papers.

"Of course, take your time," Anthony said with a nod.

Frank hobbled over to the parking lot, while Tony did what he had planned all along. He carefully examined each piece of paper, snapping photos of them. Then, he neatly put everything back together just as Frank returned.

Settling into the plush seats of the limo, Frank chuckled, "My regular driver wanted to thank me with a twenty-dollar tip for sparing him the trip to Brooklyn. He's got a hot date tonight, and he wouldn't have made it back in time to meet her if he had to drive me."

Tony laughed along, then noticed Frank's mood shift. His once cheerful expression turned serious.

"What's on your mind, Frank?" Tony inquired.

"Tony, I'm still not sure if I'm the right guy to protect your daughter. I might let you down when it matters most. The shrapnel from my injury has shifted, getting closer to my spine. Even though there's still some space before it hits a nerve, I don't know if it's worth risking her safety with someone who might not be able to deliver when needed."

"Frank, my daughter's really looking forward to that movie on Friday. If you don't take her, I can promise you one thing - you won't have to worry about paralysis, because she'll do the job herself."

"Sir, I wanted to be upfront with you about this. I don't want to hide anything. I'm not the same guy I used to be when I joined the force. I never will be again."

"I get it, Frank. Let's talk more about it tomorrow."

"Sounds good, sir."

The next morning at seven, Phil Gennaro answered the kitchen phone. "Hello?"

"Hey Phil, it's Tony Caruso. Is Frank awake?"

"Frank said if you ever called, I should fetch him, no matter where he is."

"Good. Tell him I need him at my place, pronto."

Phil hurried upstairs to Frank's room and shook him awake. "Anthony needs you at his house, like, right now!"

Frank slept without clothes. He quickly threw on some running shorts, grabbed his gun and a T-shirt, and did his best to make it look like he was running with a limp as he hurried to Tony's house.

Tony was waiting for him on the porch, chuckling as Frank approached. "What's up, sir? What do you need?"

"I need you, Frank. Come with me. Oh, and give me the gun; nice thinking though."

"Thanks. Just so you know, there's one in the chamber, sir," Frank replied, handing over the gun.

Tony led Frank down to the basement of his house, where they found two men and two very attractive women wearing not much at all.

Looking around, Frank asked, "What's going on, boss?"

"Frank, I know everything about you, from high school to yesterday. There's not a thing you've done that I don't know about. You're an open book, and now I'm about to entrust my daughter's safety to you. Even though it's written on paper, I need to see for myself if it's true. These two women work for me. They're here to confirm what the doctors have written in your medical records. If you pass the test, you'll live. If you fail, well, you get the idea. It's that simple, Frank. Strip!"

Frank grinned and replied, "I wish I knew this was coming, sir. I would've put on more clothes."

Tony chuckled as he watched Frank pull down his shorts. He studied the scar running up Frank's leg from his knee to his groin. Frank's limp was impressive, but it lacked any sign of life. Tony glanced at the two women and instructed, "Get to work."

The two women knelt before Frank. One focused on his balls while the other used her mouth to try and rouse his sleeping member. They were both pros and did their job diligently, but nothing stirred. Frank guided them with his hands, doing his best to assist. Even after five minutes of their efforts, his member remained flaccid.

"I remember when I'd have had to pay for this. I'd give anything to have that chance again now," Frank remarked.

Tony nodded and signaled the women to stop. "Frank, you get to live. But I have a feeling it's going to be tough."

"I've thought about going back to school, maybe becoming a priest. But being a good one means putting more than just that thing between my legs out of your mind. I've still got some thinking to do before I decide," Frank explained.

"Maybe God's trying to tell you something. Don't ignore it," Tony added.

"Thanks, Tony. Can I go back to sleep now, or is there something else you need?"

"You never asked me how much I'm paying you," Tony pointed out.

"Sir, I've known you since I was a kid. I knew you'd pay me whatever was right. This neighborhood respects you, and you've looked out for it longer than I can remember. I wouldn't dare ask you about money," Frank replied.

Tony glanced at the two men in the background, their heads bowed, and addressed them, "You guys get what respect means now?"

"Frank, I'm starting you off at two grand a week. My daughter won't have to reach into her own pocket when she's with you. You cover everything. If she wants to go shopping, just come to me, and I'll throw in an extra grand or two. Got it?"

"Yes sir."

Top of Form

Top of Form

Top of Form