Free Atavus by S. W. Frank

Dichenzo had killed the foreign banker for seeking to defraud a local merchant of his life savings. There are many who say the Dichenzo’s provided protection from other Mafiosi who relentlessly exacted money from struggling small businesses for doing nothing. Had Carlo not intervened the unfair ‘pizzo’ or tax to merchants would remain in effect throughout the provinces. Many Palermites revere the Dichenzos. The rumor is they are descendants of Italy’s King.
    Signore Rosa wiped sweat from his brow. Whispers of a mafia war were on the lips eversince the murders of many of the Peglesi family. Some believe the killers were foreign factions from the cartels seeking a stronghold on Italian soil, thus targeting the most influential families. If that is true, Don Giuseppe was undoubtedly preoccupied with more pressing matters than hauling trash.
    Giuseppe stood. The idiota got the point. The city received the money instead of the person who failed to provide the services he promised. “I have an urgent meeting. Arriverderci Signore Rosa. Perhaps, we will talk again in a few months when you come to inspect the facility.”
    Signore Rosa leaped to his feet. “Si, I will do the inspection personally.”
    Giuseppe nodded and watched the inspector’s hasty exit with bored relief. He waited for the door to close before summoning his secretary to prepare a memo that any employee caught improperly discarding hazardous materials or contaminants after pickups from medical facility routes, will result in immediate termination. He then requested his car. If his moglie believed she could dismiss a Don with a word, she would find he was not a Harold but Giuseppe Dichenzo, her husband!
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Five
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    The corner market with the vibrant flowers on one of many similar side streets of an old city caught Alfonzo’s attention. Discovering quaint plazas or hidden jewels among rustic roads occurred frequently during the alternating routes home. Predictability is a killer. His cell rang which occurred all too frequently now since Giuseppe learned he was having another child.
    He stared at the number for a second, told the driver to pull over and answered as he leaned toward the door with his eyes on the plaza.
    “Hola, Jessica, que paso?”
    “Alfonzo, Emilio hasn’t come home in two days. Did he sneak over there primo?”
    The narrow street ahead with the grey stones that blended with structures and brightened by colorful flowerpots near the entry were a renaissance master’s subject. His eyes settled there as a rider on a scooter traveled along the gutter, before disappearing from view.
    “Nah,” he said, motioning the driver to continue. He decided to buy Selange flowers another day. “Did you have an argument or something?”
    Jessica began cursing in Spanish. “Fucking A. He forgets I have a business to run just as he does and it’s not fair I have to be the one to arrange childcare. I swear, if Domingo was alive he’d find Emilio and put his ass in check.”
    Alfonzo stiffened at the hard punch to his chest when she mentioned Domingo. Jessica always threatened everybody with her brother, even Alfonzo. Domingo never won any of their childhood fights or the adult brawls. The weed smoking and eating fast food had slowed him down. A gun is how he won fights.
    “Tranquilo, I’ll try to find out where he is, but if you hear from him, ask him to call me, alright?”
    “Okay. How are doing anyway primo? How’s la familia?”
    “Bien. Listen, I’ll make some calls but if he returns you let me know, comprende?”
    “I’m going to the memorial, are you guys going to be there tomorrow?”
    Alfonzo couldn’t dodge the question. “Prima, you know I want to, but shit’s crazy here. Domingo’s in my heart chica, besides now I have to do what he would’ve done and find Emilio and put him in check, right?”
    “Damn right, umwah, te amo primo!”
    “Te amo, tambien,” he said and then