Remington Kane [Kane - Tanner- Year Two

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Tanner met with Sam Giacconi the following afternoon inside the funeral parlor the mob boss owned. Giacconi was in his seventies but still retained his vitality. Tanner had found him to be wise as well as smart. He also liked Giacconi personally, as the man was a straight shooter.

The two of them settled across from each other at Sams desk.

This is no easy hit, Tanner. The guy has a damn fortress out in the Mojave Desert. Its a small place but well-guarded. The problem is that theres no way to sneak up on them because theres nothing else around for miles.

Whats the targets name?

Eli Ippolito, and they say hes a mean bastard. He killed a bunch of smaller rivals and took over their turf. Now, hes stupid enough to go up against my people out there. A guy like this has to be made an example of.

Is there any information about whos running his security?

I dont have a name but hes some sort of ex-military type. He organized Ippolitos street punks and has them working like a unit.

Street punks? Are you talking gang members?

Yeah, Ippolito was once part of some South American gang, but he came up to the states through Mexico to start his own thing.

Id like to have more details about the people guarding him. They must have a weakness; once I figure out what it is, Ill use it against them and get to the target.

The guys in California have all that, not that it did the other hitters any good.

Im better than they are.

Sam nodded. From what Ive seen so far, I dont doubt youll kill Ippolito. You were the one guy I thought of when the word went out that California had a problem.

Im guessing theres no money up front on this, hmm?

Sam laughed. When the first two hitters disappeared, the up-front money they were paid went with them. Dont worry though, I guarantee youll get paid once you kill Ippolito. I wouldnt be surprised if they give you a bonus too. They really want this guy dead.

Okay, Im in. Let me know who to see out there and Ill leave in two days.

Giacconi sat back in his seat and studied Tanner. Youre a young guy, but youve been doing this for a while, havent you?

I started young, yeah.

It shows, and youve got a lot of guts. In some ways, you remind me of Joey.

Now thats a compliment; Joe Pullo is the real deal.

Hes like a son to me, and someday hell probably be running the Family.

Joe would be a good leader. Hes not a hothead and hes smart.

Giacconi sighed wistfully at Tanner. Its too bad youre not Italian, youd be a great goombah.

Nobodys perfect, Tanner said.

Tanner arrived in California, settled in a hotel, then called the contact number Sam Giacconi had supplied him with.

The man on the other end of the line was glad to hear from him and they made plans to meet in the parking lot of a bowling alley in Palmdale.

The contact from the California mob was a guy named Giovanni Russo. He was in his forties, looked fit, and wore his dark hair long. He was dressed in loose white linen slacks and a yellow shirt which was untucked; instead of shoes, Russo was wearing a pair of sandals. The car hed arrived in was an old black Corvette. The vehicle gleamed in the sun with the San Gabriel Mountains as a backdrop.

Tanner wore a white dress shirt with a black suit and black boots. There was no tie and the collar of the shirt was unbuttoned.

When Russo saw how young Tanner was, the mobster pursed his lips and gave voice to his doubt about Tanners chances of success.

The other three mechanics we hired were all more experienced than you, kid. What makes you think you can handle Ippolito when they couldnt?