Book 2: Chapter Seventy-Six - Amelia Unites With Her Loved Ones
Book 2: Chapter Seventy-Six - Amelia Unites With Her Loved Ones
Carlos’s uncle went inside the heavily guarded place to have a word with the authorities. After a few minutes, he returned with a few officers who led them inside the base. They asked the group to wait in the visitor’s lobby instead while they went to summon Amelia.
“We can’t allow you to the quarters. It’s against the rules. Mrs. Ricci will join you in a few minutes. The meeting will take place in the presence of Officer De Felice.”
“That’s fine. We will wait,” said Carlos’s uncle.
They sat waiting while Nikolas leaned in towards Carlos. “How are you planning to start the investigation?”
“I’ll fit my spies and find out if Matteo is working for Di Salvo. Let’s find out if he is alive. Then we’ll plan the next step.”
“Yes. Five years is a long time. If he was alive, he would have found a way out of this mess,” said Brandon with a sigh.
“Let’s not jump to conclusions. First, let us talk to Amy,” said Nikolas.
The door opened and a haggard Amelia walked into the room, looking puzzled at being summoned so suddenly. She froze on seeing them in front of her.
“Amy!” cried Genelia, rushing towards her older sibling, with tears streaming down her face. Ryan too followed her with his eyes glistening with unshed tears. She disappeared from New York without informing him and he had been going crazy with worry for her.
“Gia! Ryan!” she gasped, as if in a trance.
“Why didn’t you ask for help, Amy?” asked Ryan, hugging her. Gia hugged her too, and the three of them stood in a huddle for a minute or two.
“I didn’t want to endanger your lives,” she mumbled.
"We could do anything for you, Amy!" said Gia.
"I know, Gia. I'm sorry, I couldn't help you in your time of need." They released her, wiping her tears away.
"That's in the past now. I know now what you were going through," said Gia.
Amelia noticed Brooklyn standing beside Nikolas with tears in her eyes.
“Brooks!” she gasped, opening her arms out to her best friend. Brooklyn rushed forward to hug her while Genelia and Ryan composed themselves.
“I was so worried about you, Amy,” said Brooklyn.
“Matteo disappeared, Brooks. I was too busy running from pillar to post looking for him. Then the mafia attacks started, and we had to seek police protection. I lost touch with everyone!”
“If only we knew about it before. We could have helped you find him.”
“How did you know about it? How did you know where I’m living?” she asked in confusion.
“Evita called me last night seeking our help.”
Officer De Felice came into the lobby accompanied by two more officers, and they stopped their discussion. Carlos’s uncle introduced himself and the others to him.
“Shall we discuss the case now? How did Matteo disappear? What exactly happened? Why hasn’t he been found yet?” asked Carlos’s uncle.
Officer De Felice updated them on the facts and figures. He showed them the evidence they had, but all led them to a dead end. “We have evidence that it was Luigi Caffarelli of the former mafia group NSM who shot at Matteo five years ago. However, he left Matteo to die in the warehouse. It was Alphonso di Salvo who took him away with him before the cops arrived. His motive is not clear! He had Matteo treated at Concord Hospital in Cranbury, New Jersey before heading to New York.”
“My friend, Thomas Scott from the US SWAT team, informed me that di Salvo had been last seen in Palermo, Sicily. Why can’t we raid his hideout and rescue Matteo if he’s there?” asked Nikolas impatiently.
“It’s not as easy as it sounds. Di Salvo has formed a new powerful mafia gang, Squadra di Vendetta (SDV) whose main purpose is to take revenge on Luigi Caffarelli, his arch-enemy. They both are at constant war with one another. They change their hideouts every day. It’s impossible to raid their constantly changing hideouts.”
“We can start by raiding their Palermo hideout, at least,” suggested Nikolas.
“We have but found nothing. They had vacated the place before our arrival.” Nikolas looked grim and deep in thought. There has to be some way to get to Matteo.
“Can’t you stop their illegal trades? That would make them desperate and they would commit mistakes. You can nab them when they’re off guard,” suggested Brandon.
“We have confiscated huge drug and weapon consignments from Sicily but haven’t been able to nab the criminals yet,” said Officer De Felice.
“Will you give me permission to seek Matteo out, officer?” asked Carlos at last. The officer gaped at him with surprise.
“How will you do that?” he asked with interest.
“I have a friend who used to work for Di Salvo long ago. Maybe he can help. There’s no harm in trying,” said Carlos. The officer considered his suggestion for a second.
“Fine, but keep us updated. Don’t take matters into your hands. These are very dangerous criminals we’re dealing with.”
For the first time, Amelia gave Carlos a smile of gratitude. His offer of help overwhelmed her.
The officer left, and they got up to leave. It was time to act. They had wasted enough time already.
“Give me 24 hours, Amy. I will get you information on Matteo. We will plan our rescue afterward,” said Carlos. Amelia nodded in gratitude, her throat choked with emotions.
“Take care, Amy. We’ll soon come over to free you from this place,” said Genelia.
“We’ll unite you with Matteo,” promised Ryan. She hugged her siblings and best friend before the officer escorted her back to the quarters. They all left for home except Carlos, who had some important work.
It was time to ask an old friend of his to return a favor. He drove over to Le Piagge where his friend Aldo lived. Although Aldo had left Don’s work because of an injury, his older brother, Dario, still worked for him. If Aldo was alive, it was because of Carlos who saved him from the jaws of death. Maybe he could retrieve some information on Matteo as a favor.
He walked into Aldo’s house and greeted Aldo’s old mother courteously. During his teenage years, he used to visit this house regularly, but for the last few years; he had lost touch with his friend.
“Come stai Carlo? Non vieni in questi giorni. Ci hai dimenticato,” said Aldo’s Mama, giving him a hug. (How are you, Carlos? You don't come over these days. You have forgotten us.)
“Sto bene, zia Anna Maria. Ero impegnato con il ristorante. Era il sogno di mia mamma vedermi fare bene nella vita.” (I'm fine, Aunt Anna Maria. I was busy with the restaurant. It was my Mama's dream to see me do well in life.)
“Sono sicuro che ti sta benedicendo per il tuo duro lavoro, Carlos. Vuoi che chiami Aldo?” (I'm sure she’s blessing you for your hard work, Carlos. Do you want me to call Aldo?)
“Sì, per favore, Zia Anna Maria.” (Yes, please, Aunt Anna Maria.)
Aldo’s Mama went inside to call her son while Carlos waited patiently for him. After a couple of minutes, Aldo emerged from a room, limping slowly towards him with the help of a walking stick. He looked the same as before, but he seemed much happier and healthier now.
“Carlos? So, at last, you remembered me.” Carlos smiled at his friend, pulling him close into a hug.
“I always remember you, bro. It’s just that I was trying to fulfill my Mama’s last wishes. I was trying to prove myself to her and Rosetta,” he said with a sigh. There was a time when the two friends shared every secret with one another.
“I know. You married her without inviting me.”
“It was just a family affair. I’ll treat you, surely.” The two friends caught up over Aunt Anna Maria’s delicious lunch. It was like they were young teenagers again!
“Bro, I need a favor from you,” said Carlos after lunch.
“Just tell me. You know I can do anything for you, Carlos. I owe you my life.”
“No, you don’t owe me anything. You’re my childhood friend and I can do anything for you.”
“So, what help do you need?” asked Aldo curiously.
“My cousin, Matteo Antonio Ricci, had been attacked by Luigi Caffarelli five years ago and left to die in Philadelphia. Di Salvo took him away with him before the cops reached the place. Ever since he is missing, and we have had no news of him. Can you ask Dario if he knows anything about Matteo? His wife and child are still waiting for him.”
“Dario left home after a fight with us. Mama wanted him to leave the mafia circuit but he wouldn’t.” Carlos's heart sank with disappointment.
“Oh, then how do I get some information about my brother? I don’t even know if he is alive or not.”
“I can talk to Dario’s friend Giuseppe. He has just joined Don’s new gang. Wait, I’ll call him,” said Aldo, picking up his phone.
Carlos waited patiently, hoping that this worked. He had promised Amelia he would get information about Matteo within 24 hours. He couldn’t fail her. Aldo went out of the room to talk while Carlos crossed his fingers and waited with bated breath for some news of Matteo.