Keeping Faith

Chapter Ten: Swap Time

   The following morning David met with Tony, Anthony, and Jonathan at Chief Howard's office. Jonathan handed David and Anthony their new identity papers. Anthony was now Zackary Gordon, a highly successful leader in an underground ring of mobsters that smuggled drugs into the country.

David was to take on the identity of Eddie Ferrelli, a high-class guy that was moving to Chicago to open a club. Working under the direction of Sonny Morgan. Sonny hadn't actually ever met Eddie so he wouldn't question the swap. The real Eddie was on ice.

It appears he didn't take to kindly to the fact of being arrested and ended his own life. Their contact with the Chicago PD would be Carlos Diaz; he had been undercover in the organization for over a year, but needed help to bring it down.

Jonathan tossed a couple of files on the desk, "Okay, you both need to memorize these. This is your lifeline. You need to become these guys. Within reason of course." They nodded as Jonathan continued, "David, we have to change you a little bit." "Change me? What do you mean?" "The real Eddie looks like this."

Jonathan handed him a picture. It was almost frightening how much David looked like the hardened criminal. David shook his head, "If I didn't know any better I'd say that was me."

Jonathan nodded, "I know. Other than the tattoo, green eyes, and the blond highlights in his hair, you both could be twins."

"So how are we going to change that?" asked David. Jonathan grinned and popped open his briefcase, "That's another reason that I'm here." Jonathan sat down in front of him and began to change his brothers looks with some set-in makeup that worked like a dye. It would all be a permanent fixture on him until it was removed with a special chemical. Until then, this was the new David.

His brown eyes where changed with color contacts to the shade of emerald green. The tips of his brown spiked hair now had blond highlights and his left shoulder had a scorpion tattoo. Jonathan grinned and nodded as he examined his handiwork, "Have a look."

David walked over to the mirror and stood there in awe. Finally, Jonathan asked, "What do you think?" David shook his head, "I what my old self back."

He turned to his brother and inquired, "When did you learn how to do this?" Jonathan sighed as he closed the case, "Gino taught me. He did a pretty good job, huh?" David nodded, "Yeah, I just hope this will come off. I don't want to look like Eddie Ferrelli forever." Jonathan laughed, "You won't. It will come right off."

Anthony shook his head in disbelief, "David, you look¾" David cut him off by raising a hand, "Anthony, be kind." He grinned, "You look...different." David nodded and sarcastically replied, "Thank you..." Then Tony asked Jonathan, "So does the rookie get a new look too?" Jonathan laughed as he turned to Anthony, "Well not unless he wants one." Anthony took a step back, "No, I'm good thanks."

Jonathan grinned and turned to his brother, "Oh, by the way David, have you brushed up on your Sinatra lately?" A creased formed in David's brow, "No, why?"

"You might want to start. Eddie performs regularly at each of the shows. His specialty is Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin."

David sighed. Although he immensely loved the music of both the signers, he wasn't sure he wanted to risk his life on performing their compositions.

The next several hours were spent learning their new identities and the things that accompanied them. Anthony sighed, "I feel like I'm cramming for an exam...White Buffalo, Angel Dust, Strawberry Quick, Blue Ribbon, Silk¾" He flipped through the pages, "The list goes on and on. This is monotonous."

David nodded, "Yeah, it's not exactly a piece of cake." Jonathan and Tony walked back in carrying two cups of coffee apiece. "We thought you two might like some refreshments." David sighed and eagerly reached for a cup, "Ah...thank you! We've been at this for four hours."

Jonathan nodded, "It's quiz time." Anthony cocked his head, "Quiz time?" David nodded, "Yeah, they want to quiz us to make sure we know the material." He took a drink of coffee and added, "And make sure we don't break." Anthony nodded and tossed the file that he had been going through on the desk, "Okay, so where do we begin?"

Jonathan sat down and began the questions, "Anthony we'll start with you. What is your name?" "My name is Zachary Gordon. I prefer to be called Zack." "How did you become involved in the underground?" "I've been involved since I was born. My family is closely related to the Capone's in downtown Chicago." "And your best seller?"

"Strawberry Quick. Kids are buying it like hotcakes. It's a type of crystal meth that looks like strawberry pop rocks. It also smells like strawberries. It is being handed out to kids in the school yards. They're ingesting it, thinking it is candy. Many times, they get rushed to the hospital in dire condition, because they don't know the power of the drug. It also comes in different favors, like chocolate, peanut butter, cola, cherry, grape, and orange."

Jonathan nodded, "That's good, Anthony, but one thing you need to remember. Never give any more information than needed to answer the question. If you say too much you can give them something to ask that you were not prepared for."

Anthony nodded, "Yes, sir. I do have one question though." Jonathan nodded, "Alright." Anthony glanced at David then back at Jonathan, "What happens if one or both of us are asked to participate in illegal activities?" "Like doing drugs and commenting felonies?" Jonathan asked.

Anthony nodded, "Yeah." Jonathan took a deep breath and sighed, "Well if that happens you do what you have to do to preserve your cover. If there is a way to get out of it do it, but if not, then when in Rome¾" "Do as the Romans do..." Anthony said finishing Jonathan's statement.

David then added, "See Anthony, unfortunately there is this thing called 'braking the law to enforce the law'. Sometimes we have to do things we don't want to do in order to survive and make sure justice is served." Anthony shook his head, "I don't know, it just seems a little like we're riding a fine line here." David nodded, "Sadly we are."

After another hour of drilling Anthony, they finally turned to David. "David, state your name." "Eddie Ferrelli." And so, it continued.