Applegrove Confidential

Chapter 20

Applegrove confidential

“I ain’t ever getting out of this thing kid, but you, that’s a different story. You got a lot going for you, the looks to seduce the ladies, solid morals and brains to go with it all. Why are you so adamant on ending up like your father?”

His beaten hands rubbed damp fabric together as he washed his clothes. Submerging the clothes in the lukewarm water of the sink. He remained fixated on his task, going from scrubbing to straining and back again. Not once looking at the young man who he shared a cell with him.

“Heavens rest his soul, what he’d say, he didn’t want this for you. I shouldn’t have told you the truth.”

“Maybe so, but in the end that is not his decision to make.”

Lorenzo turned around to face the older man, taking a pull from his cigarette in the process. Finally, the older man looked up from his task, the scent of dried tobacco tickling his nose. A look of disappointment showing through his facial features. Waving his damp garment in the air, he dispersed the excess water and hung it up to dry.

“Don’t you get smart with me, now you tell me, when it’s my time to leave this world how will I face your father.”

The old man dried his hands on his uniform and took the cigarette out of Lorenzo’s hand before the youngster could take another hit. Placing the cigarette to his own lips the old man took a long pull. He exhaled a large cloud of smoke that fogged up the confines of their cell.

“Knowing I had a hand in teaching you about this thing of ours.”

***

He stared off into the distance, standing on a balcony that had a breath-taking view of Busaya Bay. Lorenzo reflected on many things, His father, his mentor and the various shards of his past. His cigarette was burning away, evident from the ash trail that hung from what remained of it. He felt the breeze, he heard the chirping of birds, but was it real? Or was it just as artificial as the sun that hung high in the sky? Returning to the present, Lorenzo flicked his cigarette and watched the ashes descend until they were no longer visible.

Lorenzo, not wanting to waste a good cigarette, took rapid hits from it. Finally crushing the cherry in the ashtray. Stuffing his hands into his pocket, he continued to gaze outward at the setting sphere of light. He heard the glass door behind him slide open; he looked over his shoulder and watched as Roland pushed aside the curtain and walked onto the balcony.

“I wanted to personal thank you Lorenzo, you kept your word, and you got us here.”

He held his hand out to Lorenzo, who took it in return. Roland squeezed a bit, Lorenzo did too.

“Don’t thank me, I was being selfish.”

Lorenzo was being modest, exchanging simple pleasantries with the leader of the rebel cell. Both their eyes met for a moment before breaking off.

“Seth is updating our financial situation as we speak.”

He looked over in Lorenzo’s direction, then looked back out to the bay.

“I told him to throw a little extra onto your passport in return for your hospitality.”

“Kindly appreciated”

he nodded and Saluted Roland, turning his focus back to the spectacular view.

“So, this is it, this is where our paths diverge.”

“It doesn’t have to be, the revolution needs people with your talents Lorenzo.”

Lorenzo smirked, not concerning himself with Roland’s pitch. Instead, he simply enjoyed the view for what it was.

“No thank you, you have your role to play, and I have mine.”

“Fair enough, but if you ever need deathwatch’s services don’t hesitate to seek us out.”

Roland leaned his forearms on the railing of the balcony, watching the people on the street below going about their everyday lives.

“It’s mind-blowing isn’t it, all this I mean.”

He stretched his arm out, waving it across the cityscape in front of the two. Lorenzo turned his head to face Roland who was already looking in his direction. He leaned forward, mimicking Roland with his forearms on the railing. His cheeks creased and his dimples showed, letting Roland stew in the silence a bit.

“I still prefer the outside, always have, always will.”

Roland grinned, pleased with Lorenzo’s answer, he was on the verge of continuing the conversation when Seth wandered out on the balcony. He pushed the curtain aside and said nothing and instead waved for Roland to join him on the inside.

“I’ll take that as my queue.”

He stood up straight and followed behind Roland as he entered the safehouse. The sounds of the city become muffled as he closed the sliding door behind him.

“Just put the blinds down and go to sleep Shima, you been up for too long, you need your rest.”

The sounds of the city were replaced with the sounds of Seth tapping away at his keyboard and Keyon and Shima’s conversation.

“I can’t it’s too weird, let me just work on your tattoo a little. At least till I tire out.”

Lorenzo looked over in Keyon and Shima’s direction; he shifted his line of sight toward Seth and Roland. The two were engaged in a conversation and going over something on Seth’s laptop. Not wanting to interrupt, Roland and Seth, Lorenzo walked over toward Keyon and Shima. The two of them occupied the kitchen area, taking up the bar stools the lined the kitchen’s center island. This worked in his favor, as his travel bag was conveniently placed on the center island’s marble countertop.

“Shima, Keyon it’s been a pleasure.”

He grabbed the strap of his bag and threw it over his shoulder. Shima stopped mid-sentence, looking away from Keyon and faced Lorenzo. Keyon turned his head and took a good look at Lorenzo who stood behind him. Turning on his stool, he stood up and extended his hand.

“Shima told me what happened back there, thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Lorenzo and Keyon exchanged firm handshakes before Shima stood up from her stool and approached Lorenzo. She wrapped her arms around him for a hug and gave the mafioso words of encouragement. He looked over in Keyon’s direction to gauge his reaction. But there was none to be found, So, he wandered over toward Roland and Seth to say his final goodbyes.

He walked out the door of the safehouse, closing the door behind him in the process. He enjoyed the silence of the hallway, as he took a deep breath of relief. His job was done, now it was time to focus on what he really was there for. He walked down the hall, his footsteps muffled by the elaborate carpet he couldn’t take his eyes off. Lorenzo looked up, pressing the button to call the elevator. While he waited, he went into his bag and pulled out a cell phone he had concealed from the others. Flipping the cover open he started punching various numbers on its keypad. Raising it to his ear, Lorenzo listened to it ring, waiting for it to connect. The elevators doors opened, and Lorenzo walked in. He turned, pressing the button for the lobby and watched as its doors closed.

“Luna’s junk and stuff how can I help you?”

“Hey, Luna, it’s me, put your brother on the phone.”

“Lenny! It’s about time you checked in; we were beginning to worry.”

“Sorry, the timing wasn’t right I hope you can understand.”

“Yeah, yeah whatever, he is right here hold on.”

The elevator opened and Lorenzo walked out while other tenants gave him space as he did so. Patiently waiting for their turn to enter the elevator.

“Hey old friend, how you are doing?” I’m in town want to meet up for lunch.”

He talked in code as he walked through the lobby of the tenement. His black dress shoes clicking against the marble tiles of the floor. He wore a freshly ironed white dress shirt. Expertly tailored to fit his dimensions, Avalonian cuffed. Secured with simple, yet elegant silver cuff links, over top he sported a light grey vest made of light weight fabric. Made of the same materials, his slacks matched the vest down to the last thread.

Lorenzo pushed the lobby door open and walked out into the afternoon streets of Busaya. Seamlessly meshing with the moving traffic of the sidewalk. He continued to exchange simple talk with the man on the phone as he diverged from the herd into an alley for a little more privacy.

“How many minutes of encryption do you still have?”

Lorenzo dug into the pocket of his vest, taking out his pack of cigarettes and lighter. Flicking it open, he removed a single stick with nothing more than his lips. He returned the pack to its resting place and raised the lighter, igniting the flint. He listened to the man as he spoke, taking a long drag of his cigarette.

“Thirty minutes? That’s every minute I left you with I told you to have some fun with its Bruno.”

“Shit Lenny, ain’t no fun to be had with this lockdown nonsense.”

“So that’s still going on, it’s almost been a month. I figured things would have died down by now.”

“So….”

There was a moment of silents as Lorenzo took another hit of his cigarette. Out of the view of Busaya’s everyday citizens.

“Stop being paranoid, it went off without a hitch. The information was good, and everybody played their position, even Axel. We are talking black market tech out the wazoo, food vouchers, I even found a case of aged whiskey. You called it right bro, I know you have been planning this for some time. But your decision to pull the trigger now was flawless.”

Lorenzo smirked, enjoying his cigarette, pleased with the information he was receiving. Just hearing the giant’s voice made Lorenzo miss him, and the crew. The way Bruno was talking, Lorenzo could tell he had himself some of that aged whiskey. It bothered him nonetheless, he deserved it, Being the second in command wasn’t an easy task to fulfill.

“How about you? How are things going on your end?”

“Just finished up getting rid of the baggage, shit has been wild. The things I’ve seen you would think that I was off the hooch.”

Lorenzo rubbed his temples with his thumb and index finger. His ring finger and middle finger holding his cigarette.

“People with special powers, people with death wishes and everything in between. But as far as the objective, we are on course, The auction is being held tomorrow, Busaya time.”

“You really think that painting is going to buy you sway with Chairman Ferrazzano?”

“No doubt, he has a weakness for vintage art and the finer things. There is no way that he could pass up an original painting from Smokey Major.”

He took another pull from his cigarette, quickly exhaling the smoke out of his nostrils.

“You are really invested into this painting huh?”

“Bruno, I’ve explained how significant this painting is. It’s over a hundred years old and still in pristine condition. It’s simply perfect, if it didn’t have a purpose in the grander scheme of things I would keep it for myself.”

There was a moment of silence as Lorenzo ashes his cigarette.

“I know it’s late over there so I’m going to let you go, I still have some preparations to make for the events tomorrow. It was good hearing from you, Bruno.”

“Likewise, Lenny, you be careful out there and make it back you heard. We still got a lot moves to make and don’t forget my CD.”

“Yeah, yeah give everyone my best wishes.”

He hung up the phone, flipping it closed and stuffing it back in his vest pocket. He took the last couple of hits from his cigarette, enjoying the harsher pulls as it neared its end. He went to throw the remains to the side, but he hesitated, realizing how clean the alleyway was. Instead, he looked around for a suitable resting place for his cigarette butt.

Crushing the cherry on the inside wall of a nearby dumpster, he discarded his trash. Closing the lid, he dusted his hands and left the seclusion of the alleyway. Standing at the mouth of the alley for a moment he went through his passport. At first, he went over the map, Observing key locations and tourist spots. Finding what he was looking for he activated the passport’s GPS system. He set the location to a safehouse operated by the Snake organization, an apartment complex in the heart of Busaya. But refuge wasn’t all that he desired, he was looking for tools, tools only people connected could get their hands on.

Walking along the sidewalk Lorenzo kept his attention on his passport. Occasionally looking up, Observing his surroundings. A smile crossed his face as he finally glanced over his finances. A seven-figure credit statement, nearly pushing eight. Seth’s work was something to behold. Even with the large amount, it suited Lorenzo’s false persona and wouldn’t raise any red flags.
He put away his passport and walked up a set of stairs toward the transit platform. Catching the first train that arrived Lorenzo traveled along the railway till he arrived at his destination. This part of the city was beginning to come alive. He could tell from the citizens’ attire and the subdued sound of dance music in the background.

He turned down a side street, his eyes darting about, looking for the sign of the Snake Organization. It was subtle, but obvious enough to catch his trained eye. Walking up to the doorman, Lorenzo took a good look at the man’s snakeskin boots.

“Nice ain’t they?”

Lorenzo took a good look at the doorman then to the man’s boots.

“Northern Avalon Python if I’m not mistaken.”

“You would be correct, keen eye my friend what brings you here.”

“I wish to pay my respects to Sister Sidna.”

The doorman smiled

“By all means, welcome.”

He held the door open for Lorenzo as he walked in. Gently closing the door behind him in the process. He returned to his duties as a doorman, his smile still present.

“I got a good feeling about that one. Yes, I do.”

Lorenzo continued through the lobby of the apartment complex. Walking over toward the security desk. He leaned his forearm on the counter; the guard looked up and cocked an eyebrow at Lorenzo before returning to his paperwork.

“Any issues with the first three floors please speak to Jarvis.”

“I have an appointment with Sister Sidna; can you give her a ring.”

The guard looked up again, taking a better look at Lorenzo.

“What’s your name kid?”

“Lorenzo, Lorenzo Ortega.”

He picked up his phone and punched four digits into the keypad. Lorenzo watched closely, memorizing the extension, not knowing if he might need it in the future.

“Yes madam, I’ll let him know.”

The guard hung up the phone and instructed Lorenzo to patiently wait in the lobby. It didn’t bother Lorenzo, having to wait in the lobby. Sidna must be busy working out the final preparations for the festival and the events.

***

“Now coming into the game it’s important that you play your role. Knowing the organizational structure and your place in it will take you a long way. You have your associates, supervisors, managers and finally you have your chairman. That’s your uncle Vincent Ferrazzano, as for the rest of the organization, you will have to piece that together yourself.”

Lorenzo and his mentor walked along the chain-link fence of the rec yard. He watched the old man and hung on his every word. The old man removed the cigarette from his ear and placed it on his lip. Stuffing his hands in the pockets of his jacket, he paused his lecture and observed as Lorenzo scrambled for his matches, lighting the old man cigarette when he had the situation under control.

Taking a long drag to create a good cherry, the old man exhaled his smoke into the crisp winter air. Lorenzo waved the match in the air, extinguishing the flame and tossing the stick to the side. It seemed like yesterday that Savant Senior was saving the young Lorenzo from a mess hall scuffle. But, in fact Lorenzo was already a year into a ten-year stretch for aggravated robbery and a list of other charges.

“Once you find an “in” it is important that you put together a crew. People you can trust, people that share the same vision as you, people who can keep their mouth shut.”

He took another hit from his cigarette, looking over his shoulder, observing the other men in his crew maintaining the perimeter. He flicked his cigarette and took another puff from it.

“That’s enough for today, why don’t you tell me about my son.”

Lorenzo laughed, as Savant passed the young buck the cigarette. Taking the cigarette into his clutches, Lorenzo took a hit and smiled.

“What do you want to know?”

Savant smirked.

“Everything, what are his dislikes, his likes, is he taking care of his sister?”

“You know stuff like that.”

Lorenzo took one last hit of the cigarette before passing it back. Blowing out a cloud of smoke in the process.

“I still think it’s crazy, how you and my pops use to be best friends and now me and Bruno are the same.”

Taking the cigarette from Lorenzo, Savant proceeded to smoke it.

“Hopefully not.”

***

His fingers brushed his chin as he was deep in thought. He could hear the clicking of Sidna’s heels on the floor tiles, He played it off like he was in a daydream. But he was aware of her approach.

“Look what the cat dragged in.”