Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Hide and Seek (08/07/08)
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TITLE: Family Secrets | Previous Challenge Entry
By Matt McClay
08/14/08 -
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Tony repositioned himself and watched a pair of headlights bounce weird shadows across the near empty lot. The vehicle turned toward an exit and entered the traffic below.
He glanced at his wrist in the half light, and brushed the back of his hand against an empty pocket. His gum was beginning to annoy him; he needed a cigarette.
"Hey wise guy."
Tony cringed inwardly, and gripped the cold steel behind his belt a little tighter. His ears strained to hear.
"It's jus' me." A figure appeared out of the blacker black, and the glow of a cigarette lit a familiar face, his brother in law, Vinny Salvione. Vinny the Bear.
Tony relaxed his grip a little.
"My father knows." Vinny exhaled. "He made you." He shifted his large frame. "You gotta hide."
The news shook Tony. Ol’ Sal, didn’t miss a thing.
Vinny kicked at a discarded candy wrapper. "He talked with the boys today. Piano Fingers and Slim Jim. They don't like it." The Bear looked down at Tony.
"You gotta run. Get outta Chicago."
If Old Man Salvione had put Piano Fingers on this, Vinnie was right. Tony had to hide.
They stood in awkward silence, two friends, thrust together by circumstance, business and family. Neither spoke, and Vinny took a quick drag, flicked the butt of his cigarette on the ground and rubbed it in with his boot heel.
“You have to go,” He whispered. “You’re not safe.”
With that, the Bear turned quickly, disappearing into the darkness. Tony waited and listened to the traffic noise below.
He followed the weak glow of an exit sign, entered a stairwell and made his way down to street level. He half ran, half walked through the rain.
He didn’t bother with his car. One of Salvione’s men may have been there first.
Tony paused at a corner. Lord what’s next? Show me the next step…It had been Tony’s prayer since the academy nine years ago.
Footsteps approached. He ducked inside a doorway. Conversation. Laughter. A false alarm.
After his first assignment, they said, “consider Salvione.” If anyone could get in tight, Tony could. He was dating Michelle at the time, practically family. She didn’t know he was a rookie cop. He hated keeping that secret. But it came with the job. Nine years of doing what comes next and letting God take care of the rest.
Tony headed home. It was part of the plan. And He wanted to see Michelle. He needed to hold her, tell her everything.
Tony stepped into the heavy rain. He made his way into a familiar alley and scaled the fire escape.
He crossed the asphalt to the tarpaulin and uncovered a metal box. Inside lay a cell phone, an extra handgun, handcuffs, a half dozen roadside flares and his badge.
After a quick call, Tony set the flares, gathered his cuffs and badge and palmed the handgun. He checked it unconsciously and pushed it past his belt.
The trap was set.
Okay God, lets do this thing. Tony entered his building from the roof and descended two flights of stairs to his floor.
He tried the door. It was unlocked. He slipped inside quietly and found Michelle on the sofa. She looked distraught, concerned. Tony caught her eye and she rose to greet him.
“Papa’s coming for you,” she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion.
They heard voices in the hallway. The front door suddenly swung open. Piano Fingers followed Salvione and Slim Jim.
Michelle pushed Tony toward the open bathroom window.
“You need to leave. Now!” She pleaded.
But Tony could hear helicopters approaching.
“Whatever happens, stay in here.”
Tony lifted a gun from his belt and left the bathroom to face the three men.
But in the small space between the bathroom and the kitchen Tony found Salvione in handcuffs on the floor, his face pressed into the carpet. Slim Jim held him down.
Piano Fingers was waiting for Tony.
“Put the piece down, son” He said. You’re under arrest.”
The command confused Tony. He stared blankly at Piano who promptly hit him. One swift kick and Tony was on his knees, coughing blood. Piano quickly placed him in cuffs, and leaned him back.
“We still need you inside,” Piano whispered and hit him again.
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