Bloodshed

Start of the Truth

Joe and I, wow where do I start? We go way back. We trained together to get into the police department. Every case I was ever on, he was on too. I had known him for almost 10 years when it all happened. We had worked on hundreds of cases with each other. And today, March 10th 1977 was just another day in the field, we thought it was going to be a um.... what do you Americans call it ah yes, 'a piece of cake' that's right. But we didn't know the guy who is known today as Martin Mendilevi. We made the mistake of thinking that he was just another...y'know druggy. We couldn't have been more wrong. Turns out, having encountered him several times over the past 25 years, that he was a full on drug lord and he was very skilled in the art of ass kicking in general. He didn't start out that way but he adapted and became a little better after every meeting. This was only the first. He was doing a deal down by the old marina, and our assignment was to shut him down and take him in for questioning, and his cash and drugs in as evidence.

'Antonio, get round the back.'

He was whispering to not draw any undue attention to himself.

'I'll stay on the ground, your job is to go up top and neutralize the sniper keeping watch over the meeting'.

'But you know I have a thing with heights Joe, can't you do it?' I said attempting to make excuses for being a lazy asshole. But as usual, he saw straight through me.

'No I can't. Now get up that light house, Carzolo, before I kick your fat ass up there. And don't forget the drill, flash your light 3 times to tell me that you haven't completely screwed up.'That was Joe Marone for you, a stubborn son of a bitch and I loved him for it.

'(Sarcastically) Yes sir!' He gave me the eyes after that.

Surprisingly though, I didn't completely screw up. It just took one blow to the back of head with my pistol and he was out. 'Poor bastard' I found myself saying. He was just a pawn in the bigger picture, probably the type of guy who was just trying to make ends meet for his family. Nevertheless, I flashed my torch 3 times to signify that I wasn't a complete and utter fuck up. Suddenly something came up on the radio, it was Joe.

'Alright I'm in position, pick up the sniper and watch my back.' He said.

'You got it.' I replied. And that was when he moved in. I watched everything as it took place through the scope, making sure that if things did go south, I would be ready. And if you haven't figured it out by now, they did.

He pulled his gun out and told them to 'put your hands up' and all that shit. At first they complied but then I realised that Joe was horribly outnumbered and if they did decide to make a move it would be a 4 on 1 situation on the ground. I couldn't call out to him or even radio him without risking compromising the assignment. That is exactly what happened. Three of the guys pulled out there guns, including the buyer. Joe panicked and shot him point blank in the face. That brought new meaning to the term 'bad for business'. Mendilevi started to make run for it, presumably for a boat. That presumption was correct. I turned my aim to him, seeing as Joe had the other two under control. I was about to snipe his feet out from under him when I took a crushing punch to the back of the head. It was one of Mendiveli's junkies and he had obviously been expecting me. He was alone, but by no means was he a small man.

'Don't you dumbass cops ever learn?' He said. 'Stay out of Mr Mendilevi's business of he'll get up in yours!'

I took I few shots at him and they landed, but he was not phased, he just laughed at me and threw me onto the ground. At this point I realised I was losing time. He ran at me, I side stepped and watched him fall over the lighthouse rail and to his demise. As I looked down to make sure, I saw Joe staring up at me beside two other dead bodies, which were layed out on the floor. I couldn't see the expression on his face because of the darkness, but I knew by his voice that he was pissed.

'Fucking hell, he's gone. Mendilevi got away. GOD DAMMIT'. He shouted 'Antonio, regroup at the bottom. We are going to have to go an tell the rest of the guys at the precinct, that we are now both officially fuck ups.'