Don't Shoot the Messenger

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Mr Macello

I had called representatives of both Mafia organisations to meet with me in person. We needed to keep some separation between the groups that would split in about 40-50 years or so. It would take the boys a while to grow up.... then add at least 30 years of experience before one of them would be ready to take over the Baradili Family. We still had to sort out organisational issues to better work together long term. I was certain that we would be done by the end of the year. The bulk of the issues should be settled within the next four to six months.

I was annoyed when the phone vibrated on my desk; glancing down  it was Security.   Weatherman – head of the detail keeping an eye on 'Rainbow'.  I picked up immediately. "She's gone." My heart stopped. "Someone took her, tossed her phone and purse in an alley behind the shop she was in."   "Everyone out." With a bow of respect, they made a dignified escape from my office. 

I clicked to connect with my head of security as part of a group call... I closed the open tabs on my laptop, pulling up another program. I hesitate to activate it yet. If they check for transmitters... "How long since she was taken?"  "She went into the store half an hour ago. The owner claims that she went into the changing area between 10 and 15 min ago."  "Get your team ready to go." I tell Vitto.

I pull open a cabinet and slide out of my suit jacket. My bulletproof vest, weapons, a bag of extra ammunition and other supplies are all here. "She still has a tracker on her. If they swept for bugs they would miss it, it doesn't transmit until activated. I'm pulling it up now. The location will be loaded and updated in the ipads your team leaders are using, and my phone." I hit a few keys and in moments cell towers across the country broadcast a signal. The coded transmission would wake the 'ghost' that had not alerted the towers to its presence. A 'global' search was initiated and it took over a minute for us to receive a location.

"...Load up for hostage rescue. Try to intercept, but I am calling the local Don for help. He has more people and they may be better positioned."  On my way out the door I dialed up Don Romano. "You said we would be safe visiting in your territory. My- Claire has been taken, within the last 20 min or so. I need a helicopter in the air with a sniper aboard. I can send coordinates to the pilot from her tracker. I need eyes in the sky and someone to put a bullet where necessary. I have a security team, but I didn't bring an army for this trip. You have one here; I need your best."

"...Done. Give me a moment and I will have my pilot's number for you, and put him at your disposal." ...."Here..***-****-*** , I'm texting you the number for my head of security as well. I will notify him to give you full assistance. ....She seemed a lovely young woman."   "Is, not was."   "I'm sorry, I was about to add that I hope she is unharmed, but I did not want to agitate you further. You are worried enough."   "Yes." 

I add the security chief's number to the group link on Claire's current whereabouts. "You have my people at your disposal, and I sent my security chief the selfie I took with your woman. He will pass it to his team.... Where are they now?" I check the map, zooming in on the moving dot... "They are traveling down Viale Tiziano." I continued coordinating with Don Romano as I made my way to the parking garage and tossed my bag into the trunk.