Family Honor

Quest For The Truth

Chapter 1

Early on Saturday morning the family of Special Agent Thomas Paine was just waking up for breakfast. His wife was still dressed in the slinky silk miniskirt-like robe she draped herself in after wishing her husband a hot, passionate farewell as he was about to leave for work.

“Baby, I’ll see you and the kids later. I won’t be in the office long today. It’s going to be too pretty of a day to waste chasing the ills of society.”

They both half laughed in a manner that seemed to make light of Agent Paine’s highly stressful job dealing with the criminal element. He took a step toward his wife, reaching out for one last loving embrace.

“You know I would much rather be here with you and the kids.”

They shared another, even longer passionate kiss.

“Baby, do you really have to go in? I would much rather have you here. Why do you have to go in today anyway? I can give you a hundred and one reasons to stay home today. All of which I know you would love.”

Agent Paine stopped dead in his tracks. He actually started blushing. This was further enhanced by the fact that his wife was once again showing him what was under her robe.

“Come on baby, you know it’s impossible for me to leave with you trying to seduce me all over again.”

“Oh…okay, since I can’t seem to change your mind.”

As Agent Paine opened the front door with his wife, Janice by his side, they were greeted by what seemed to be the beginning of a beautiful Saturday morning. Even at such an early hour, the neighborhood was still very much alive. His next-door neighbors, the Jackson’s, were out for their morning jog and the paperboy had just finished his route. It was the very first day of spring and the air had that special springtime freshness, the one that seemed to resemble the smell of rain, but the morning was too beautiful for those thoughts. The sun was just beginning to rise; everything seemed to be telling Agent Paine to stay home, but it was to no avail. So, finally he kissed his wife and left for work. She watched him walk to his car and then went on about her morning routine.

Chapter 2

“Momma, I’m hungry.”

“Me too.”

Drew and Rachel, the two youngest Paine children were expressing their desire for breakfast. Rachel, their youngest child was the temperamental one of the bunch, but even with her moods swings she was still daddy’s little girl. She could do no wrong in her daddy’s eyes.

Drew, the middle child, was very timid and often withdrawn from anyone other than close family members. His personality was one of obvious shyness, but this morning his shyness was surpassed by his hunger.

“Okay. What do my two angels want to eat this morning?”

Her youngest answered with an emphatic, “Fruit Loops.”

“Me too,” echoed Drew.

“Fruit Loops, coming right up. Please go wake your brother.”

They turned and raced down the hall trying to be the first to get to his room.

“Stop running! Stop running before someone falls,” yelled their mother.

They both arrived at the door to their brother’s room at the same time. They began to argue over who got there first. The commotion was so loud that they did not have to wake Thomas Jr., because the noise woke him up immediately.

“Momma, tell Drew and Rachel to stop making all that noise,” insisted Jr.

“Boy, it’s time for you to get your butt up anyway.”

“But Momma, I want to sleep some more.”

“Boy, get up now.”

Jr. slowly worked his way out of bed. He sluggishly headed down the hall toward the living room. His siblings had already made their way back to the living room and were watching a Bugs Bunny cartoon. Since Jr. was the oldest, he quickly enforced his authority by taking over the television. He spent the majority of his time watching action adventure shows. He usually put himself in the role of the hero. He knew what his dad did for a living and dreamed of being just like him.

“Momma, tell Thomas to leave the T.V. alone.”

Right before his mother could answer, there a knock at the door.

“Who is it?” Janice asked.

“The telephone repair men. We have a report of a problem with the lines in this area. Have you noticed any such problem?”

“Just a minute, please.”

Being the wife of an FBI agent had given her a distrusting nature. She walked over to the nearest phone, checked the line, and realized it was indeed out of service. She went back to the door and took one last look out the peephole and hesitated for a brief moment. Then she opened the door.

On the other side of the door were two men dressed in matching uniforms. Janice noticed that they were two very good-looking men. That small, suspicious voice in the back of her head began to nag at her. She wondered how these two men ever became blue-collar workers, yet looked as though they had never done even one day of hard work. They both stood about 6”2’ and were clean cut, well groomed, and both had athletic builds. It was more than obvious that these men spent hours working out in the gym and primping in the mirror. Their look was more befitting a couple of Wall Street brokers or even runway fashion models. Maybe it was just her female intuition getting the best of her, but for some reason she felt she could not trust the two men. However, against her better judgment, she let the two men enter her home.

“Hi, Ma’am. We’re sorry for the inconvenience this morning, but this outage is affecting most of the neighborhood and we want to take care of it immediately.”

“Oh, it’s no problem.”

“We need to check the phone jacks inside your home. This will only take a minute.”

“Okay.”

“We just need you to point out the location of the jacks. Then we will be out of your way before you know it.”

“Well, we have five in the house. There is one in the kitchen, then another in den, living room, my husband’s office, and in the master bedroom.”

“Ma’am, we only need to check the main outlet. Perhaps it is the one in the den.”

“Right this way, and excuse the mess.”

She showed the two men the way to the den and they proceeded to make the necessary repairs to the line.

“Why are there two of you?” She curiously asked.

“Well, ma’am, I’m in training today.”

“Oh, so this is your first day on the job.”

“Yes ma’am.”

“You like it so far?”

“It’s pretty cool,” replied the trainee.

Two voices in harmony rang out throughout the house.

“Momma, we’re still hungry.”

Caught up in the interruption of the repairmen, Mrs. Paine momentarily forgot about her two hungry kids. By the time she remembered, her oldest son, Thomas Jr. was also complaining about being hungry.

“Momma is coming, sweethearts.”

She did not feel good about leaving the two men alone in the den, but feeling the pressures of motherhood, the kids won out. She hurried into the kitchen to feed the children, but reminded herself to periodically check on the two men.

 

Chapter 3

Special Agent Paine was caught in a traffic jam, which was unusual considering it was so early on a Saturday morning. He was in no particular hurry, so it was no big deal. The radio was on 107.5 the Oasis a hot radio station for the thirty and older age group. They played a mix of Jazz and Contemporary R&B. The R&B gave Agent Paine a feeling of being in touch with the younger crowd. Even though he was stuck in the bumper-to-bumper traffic he somehow managed to find peace of mind, which was a rarity in his profession

Agent Paine derived a sense of peace and happiness from the people he truly loved--his family. Paine’s current case was keeping him away from his family more than he wanted. He loved his wife and kids more than life itself and he was completely devoted to them When he was not working, he made sure that his family had all the love they needed, but sometimes, he felt, that was not enough. He always had a feeling that they needed more, but the reality was, even with the tremendous stress of his job, he found a way to put his kids first. He seemed to have the answer to their questions before they could even ask them. He seldom missed any of their extracurricular activities. He went out of his way to make sure his children had the things they needed and wanted. His wife always went out of her way to reassure him of her faith in his ability as a husband and father. She was the other bright spot in his life.

Thomas first noticed Janice as a freshman at O.D. Wyatt High School. When Thomas saw her, it was love at first sight. She was a beautiful young lady and time revealed that beauty was not limited to her outer appearance. She had a heart of gold as well. Janice was very active in school activities; running for and winning class president during their senior year. Janice was also head cheerleader, which was perfect since Thomas was captain of the varsity football team. While Thomas was typically very outgoing and sociable, he found himself at a loss for words around Janice. Even during Biology class when their eyes would meet, he would quickly look away. His teammates would often tease him about his inability to approach Janice and strike up a conversation, but even their relentless taunting did not faze him.

One day he decided to ask his parents for advice, particularly since he knew they met during their high school years. His parents smiled and told him that when the time was right, his would muster up the courage and the words would come to him. Thomas left the conversation with his parents even more exasperated than before, but he knew their advice had always helped him in the past. A couple of days later, he ran into Janice in the library. He knew she was probably working on the Biology project, and felt that it was now or never. Before he could say anything, she smiled and invited him to sit down. They spent the rest of fourth period whispering and laughing. Thomas knew that this conversation would change his life forever. They dated the rest of their senior year and even went on to attend the University of Texas in Arlington together. During their college years they found that their souls were intertwined, and that it was meant for them to spend the rest of their lives together.

“Bupp-bupp.”

Agent Paine’s moment of daydreaming was interrupted by the car horn of a very impatient driver.

“Damn, hold your horses,” as he reacted to the blaring of the horn.

“Bupp-bupp.”

“I’m going! I’m going!”

He slowly started to drive forward while, simultaneously picking up his cell phone and calling into the office.

“Jill, I’m stuck in traffic. I’ll be there in about twenty minutes. If anyone needs me just transfer them to my cell.”

“Alright, Agent Paine. I’ll see you when you get here.”

 

Chapter 4

“Ring. Ring.”

“Yeah!”

“This is Two Times, it’s done. Tell Tony he can make the call now.”

“Alright, I’ll be in touch with you guys.”

“Hey Tony.”

“Yeah!”

“Jimmy Carbone and Anthony Two Times have done what you asked. They said you can make the call now. You want me to get the cocksucker on the line?”

“No! I want to enjoy every second of this. That cocksucker has fucked with Tony Carlotto for the last time. I hate that motherfucker with a passion. No, this is one call I’ll make myself.”

Tony left the room and headed toward his office. His office was very eloquently decorated, but not in a fashion that one would associate with his thuggish exterior. He spent a lot of time buying his way into the elite class of society. He went from an unemployed street thug to wearing Versace custom made suits and platinum Rolex watches engraved with the words “Wise Guy”-- all in a span of ten years.

Tony had been so productive in business dealings for the Southside Mob that after Freddie “No Nose Giordano” died, he was promoted from “wise guy” to leader. Being the leader of an organized crime family was a position befitting Tony Carlotto. He did not have much of a traditional education. He dropped out of school and started running numbers for a mobster named Fat Andy when he was only fifteen. His old man used to say to him, “Boy, if you have to get by on your book smarts, you’ll always be unemployed.” If only his old man could see him now was a thought that often crept into the mind of Tony. Tony may not have been very smart when it came to the books, but there was no doubting the fact that he was a natural-born criminal genius. That criminal genius got the attention of the organized crime families and was also the main reason the Southside Mob was under such an extensive investigation by the FBI.

Tony lit a big fat Cuban cigar and took a very big drag. He sat down at his marble desk, propped his legs up and relaxed. He looked into the deep blue water that filled his giant-sized wall aquarium, and for the first time in a long time he smiled. He picked up a cell phone and dialed the number of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“You have reached the Fort Worth branch of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. If you know your party’s extension you may dial it now. If not, please remain on the line and an operator will be with you momentarily.”

“What a fucking joke. Never a cop around when you need one.”

“Federal Bureau of Investigation, may I help you?”

“Yeah, I need to speak with Special Agent Thomas Paine.”

“I’ll transfer you to his office. Please hold.” There was a click followed by a brief moment of silence and then. A females voice came over the line.

“Special Agent Paine’s office, may I help you?”

“Let me speak to Agent Paine.”

“He’s not here at the moment, sir. May I take a message?”

“I really need to speak with him this is a matter of life and death. Can you put him on the phone?”

“Sir, he is on his way to the office so if you leave your number I’ll have him call you as soon as he gets in.”

“Lady, put him on the damn phone,” demanded Tony.

“Sir, I would appreciate if you did not use…”

“And I would fucking appreciate if you would let me speak with Agent Paine. I have some important information that I will only share with him.”

“Okay, okay, sir. I can patch you through to his cell phone.”

“Fine, fine whatever.”

“Sir, you may hear a few clicks and then the phone will start ringing on the other line. Please don’t hang up. He should answer momentarily.

“I don’t fucking believe this. You have to threaten to kill a motherfucker before they’ll let you speak to them,” Tony exclaimed out loud to no one in particular.

“Hello, Agent Paine here.”

“Hello, you fucking cocksucker. How the fuck have you been? How’s the fucking wife and kids.”

“Who is this? And what do you mean how are my wife and kids?”

“I’m someone you will never forget. You will from this day on, feel the same pain that you’ve caused me to feel, you fucking cocksucker.”

Before any possible response from Agent Paine, the anonymous caller hung up. Paine’s mind began to wonder for a moment, and then it hit him. Hmmm, how’s your wife and kids? He immediately slammed on the brakes, almost causing an accident. He quickly dialed his home number. The phone rang, but there was no answer. He started to get a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. The phone rang a second time and still no answer. He took a deep, almost bitter tasting breath. It was a breath that was bone chilling. In all his years of service he had never experienced a more paralyzing fear than the one he was experiencing at that very moment. The tenth of a second between each ring was like a lifetime. Agent Paine found himself thinking of a million different things that could have been wrong. Then came the third ring and still no answer. His heart stopped and suddenly someone answered the line.

“Hello, Paine residence.”

“Baby, what took you so long to answer the phone? Is everything okay?”

“What are you talking about? Why wouldn’t we be alright?”

“I don’t know maybe I was just tripping. I’m just glad you’re ok. I seem to have been the butt of someone’s joke today. I’ll tell you about it later. Right now I need to hurry up because I am late enough as it is. Tell the kids good morning for me.”

“Okay, sweetheart. And Baby, don’t be in the office all day. You and I have some unfinished business from this morning,” his wife said in that seductive tone that always drove him crazy.

“I can’t wait. I love you and I’ll talk to you later baby.”

Chapter 5

The Southside Mob had been under investigation by the FBI for the past three years. The agent in charge was Thomas Paine. He was really starting to become a thorn in their side. Over the past three years his actions cost the mob over 45 million dollars in various underground transactions.

Tony Carlotto was starting to get fed up. The final line was drawn when his two sons were killed during an FBI raid at one of the Carlotto’s riverside warehouse properties. To make matters worse, Tony was facing a prison sentence of ninety-nine years on various counts of counterfeiting and drug trafficking. The FBI had built a major case against the Carlotto family. The FBI had them pegged as the biggest drug traffickers north of the equator. The Southside Mob was starting to feel as if their backs were against the wall. Tony, with his impending prosecution and the death of his sons, felt it was time to fight back. The success of the District Attorney’s case hinged on the crucial testimonies of both Mike Chillian and Vinnie Madison. Tony’s mission was to take both of them out to end any possible case against him; however, that was not his only agenda. He also wanted to get back at Agent Thomas Paine, the man responsible for his impending conviction and most importantly, the man who killed his two sons.

Tony got everything started by putting a one million dollar bounty out on the head of each of the DA’s two best witnesses. Such a large bounty drew the attention of two of the Mafia’s top hit men, Anthony Two Times and Jimmy Carbone. They were considered two of the very best. They were hired mercenaries and both were former Navy Seals. At one point they were the best in the Armed Services, but they were dishonorably discharged due to their inability to follow orders.

They gladly accepted the job, for the two million dollar payday, and as an added bonus agreed to solve the problem Tony was having with Agent Paine. They assured Tony that he would really enjoy what they had in store for Agent Paine. Tony smiled and gave them a briefcase with one million dollars inside. This was a down payment for the jobs. They would receive the other half upon completion of their task.

The money was great, but one could sense that these two got pleasure out of the actual slaughter. Their souls seemed to be lost in a place comparable to Dante Alighieri’s lower levels of Hell; however, their souls were not trapped. They were more than willing to serve a hellish master: they actually preferred it that way.

Mike Chillian was a two-bit hoodlum, turned witness for the Prosecution. He had never done anything major until Tony Carlotto personally asked him to pick up a package at one of his warehouses. It was the very same warehouse where Tony’s sons were killed. The Feds picked him up during the raid on the warehouse. He had in his possession two million dollars’ worth of counterfeit bills.

When Mike Chillian was caught he was more than happy to try and make a deal with the District Attorney. The mere thought of spending the next 10 years in prison absolutely terrified him. The Feds put him in the Witness Protection Program. They had him stashed in a rural community outside of Dallas County.

The second witness Vinnie Madison was at one time considered the best accountant on Wall Street; until it became known that he had a half-million dollar a year gambling habit. His gambling was believed to be the cause of his conviction on felony embellishment charge. His conviction meant that he would never be able to get another high-powered job making six figures like he previously he earned working on Wall Street.

While Vinnie Madison was in prison, he made friends with some people who knew other people who had money they needed laundered. After serving thirty-six months of a five-year sentence, Vinnie Madison was ready to get back to the life of the jet setters. He started working for Tony Carlotto as a bookkeeper. Tony let Madison into the heart of his operation. It seemed like a perfect fit, because the Southside Mob afforded Madison all his heart’s wishes. That greed gave Madison and Carlotto a type of ironic common ground. He became a trusted employee and most importantly he became something Tony never had, a friend. Madison soon learned all the inner workings of the Southside Mob. He was, in a sense, becoming the most dangerous man in the Southside Mob organization.

The District Attorney convinced Madison that they may not have enough proof to be able to get Tony, but they did have enough evidence to send him back to prison. He also promised him that this time it would not be some cushy low security prison. They wanted him to tell everything he knew about Tony. Madison agreed to testify against Tony, but only if he was granted total immunity from prosecution and if they let him walk away with whatever money he could embezzle. The DA agreed that his office would look the other way. He also offered Madison protection in one of the local safe houses because he knew his life would be in danger. “I can manage my own safety,” proclaimed Madison after the DA made the offer.

“It’s not only for your protection it’s also to insure you don’t get any ideas of fleeing before the trial.”

Madison was taken into custody and stashed in a little community called Stop Six. Tony Carlotto was furious when he found out that his best friend and the man that knew as much about his organization as he did would soon be testifying against him.

Tony wanted him dead in the worst way. Madison was the strongest link in the chain, also known as, the DA’s case against Tony. He wanted Madison to suffer and feel the same pain that he felt from the betrayal of their friendship.

The final act of vengeance for Tony was to inflict the same pain he suffered each and every day on the man responsible for the death of his sons. Killing Agent Thomas Paine’s family would force him to feel that same tragic pain each day also. Agent Paine had to pay!