Book 1 of the H&K Series : Path of Knowledge

Chapter 17

Sal Milan sat at the poolside table drinking a double scotch. He watched the scantily clad bikini females as they frolicked in the pool, playing pool volleyball. He was shocked as two men in suits sat down, bookending him at the table. Sal's face went pale.

"Sal, Sal, Sal. Why did you leave without saying goodbye?" A voice came from behind Sal.

Sal sat frozen as Vincent Castilian walked around from behind him and took the seat opposite of Sal at the table.

"Vinny. I didn't know you were in Cancun."

"You didn't answer the question," Vinny said as he smoothed out his light blue tie. "The last we heard from you was that the Shade was back. Then you took a plane to Mexico. Why did you do that, Sal?"

"I've seen the aftermath when the Shade is involved. No one wanted to believe me that he existed and now you know. He made his demands known and you ignored them. You're still ignoring them. I was not about to stick around to be caught up in his vengeance. I've been there and I don't want to be there again. When that guy shows up, the body count rises and not in your favor," Sal explained.

"So, you're scared of this Shade? You should be more afraid of me. The Family doesn't like it when an employee skips out on them like a little bitch, especially at a time like this." Vinny said.

"Damn right, I'm scared," Sal replied. "I was sent to pick up a package at the waterfront warehouse where an informant for the Philadelphia DA's office was being held. The Shade sent word to release the informant alive and unharmed. But one of the bosses' sons, Jimmy D'Angelo was in charge and wanted to make a name for himself. Jimmy took the call and told the Shade to go screw himself. After I got the package, Jimmy wanted me to pick up a box of cigars for him. While I was gone, the Shade showed up at the warehouse. He killed everyone, fifteen of Jimmy's most trusted friends, but left Jimmy alive, trussed up in razor wire for the police. The cargo container filled with the family's laundered money was gone. Jimmy couldn't even describe who killed his men, just that it was one man dressed in black tactical gear. The informant testified and sent Jimmy to prison. You know Jimmy was acquitted because a young brand-new Assistant DA by the name of Craig threw the case. The night he was released, Jimmy and the informant vanished. Jimmy hasn't been seen since. But I know Jimmy is dead and the Shade did it," Sal elaborated.

"You are a coward," Vinny glared at Sal.

A cell phone began to ring in the pocket of one of the men bookending Sal. Vinny stared at him with a hateful glare.

"It's not mine. I left my phone in Philly as you told us," The man told Vinny as he fished the phone out of his pocket.

"Answer it," Vinny ordered.

"Hello?"

"Give the phone to Castilian," a female voice ordered.

"A woman demands to speak to you," the man told Vinny.

"Give me the phone." Vinny held out his hand and roughly took the phone.

"I have a message from the one you call the Shade. Get up from the table and leave Milan alone, unharmed. Return to Philadelphia and tell your employer to follow the Shade's orders or you won't walk away from this alive. You might keep that pretty blue tie from getting messed up."

"Go to hell, bitch!" Vinny shouted into the phone, jumping to his feet, flipping his chair over, and looking all about.

The two men bookending Sal suddenly slumped back in their chairs simultaneously. Twin holes appeared over the hearts of both men. Blood began to stain their suit jackets. Vinny froze, and the hand holding the cell phone dropped to his side. The phone began to ring again.