Gina Fahy, The Virgin Assassin

Gina Fahy, the Virgin Assassin

C. Albert Parente

Copyright 2011 by C.Albert Parente

Smashwords Edition

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Acknowledgements

The authoring of a novel is a difficult undertaking. This is my second novel and it would not be in print but for the help and guidance of many special persons.

First and foremost I extend my appreciation and thanks to my superb Editor Mike Valentino. Mike’s skillful and incisive editing was an essential key to improving the text and format of my manuscript. Mike’s constructive criticism caused me to rewrite and amend certain passages of the novel for the better. I deem myself fortunate indeed to have had Mike Valentino’s acute editorial insight in improving, my novel The Virgin Assassin.

My typing and computer skills are to say the least almost nil. I spoke about my problem with, Dennis Klein my accountant and friend of many years. Dennis recommended that I speak to Michele Morales, an employee at his accounting firm to assist me. Michele spent time after work and on weekends, performing the essential element of typing my manuscript. Moreover her valued encouragement and helpful computer instructions were of vital assistance. I hereby extend and record my gratitude, affection and many thanks. Michele I could not have done it but for you. Thanks also come with this acknowledgement to Dennis Klein for introducing Michele to me, and for his support and interest in promoting my first Novel Are You a Fool Benucio?, and now my second novel The Virgin Assassin

I have been blessed with a wonderful family. It is with love and affection that I acknowledge their support and encouragement that energized me in writing my first and second novel. I convey to my dear sister in law, Lorraine Palma my thanks and warm affection for her unstinting, steadfast support and encouragement. Last but certainly not least to my loving wife Judy, thank you.

Prologue

The Virgin Assassin is my second novel. Its genesis derives in part from the many favorable comments from readers of my first novel, Are You a Fool; Benucio? A few examples: I love the book, I didn’t want the story to end; Are you going to write a sequel?; The colorful gangster characters reminded me of the Godfather books"; I have included some of the same members of crime, in the narrative of the Virgin Assassin.

The storyline of the Virgin Assassin begins joyfully. Twelve year old Gina is a happy and excited spectator at the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, along with her parents Tom and Teresa Fahy. The joy changes to fear and concern when Tom Fahy, the Deputy Commissioner of the new Waterfront Commission is confronted by Ed Byrne and Cockeye Dunne, the boss and under boss of the Westies. Tom refuses to do their bidding to impede the Commission’s ongoing investigation of the Westies’, illicit control of the luxury piers of New York City. Tom is warned that he would be found floating in the river with the fishes, joined by his wife and half-breed Wop daughter, if he did not cooperate. The Westies retreat when John Taylor, the security chief of the Waterfront Commission intervenes. Two evenings later Frank Grimes, a hit man known as the Iceman, appears at the door of the Fahy house. He murders Tom and rapes his wife. Gina, attempts to help her mother by striking Grimes with her fists and yelling at him. Grimes picks, Gina up by her hair and pulls down her pajama bottom. He makes lewd remarks about Gina’s immature lower anatomy. Gina holds back her tears and swears at him saying someday, somehow, I will kill you. Frank Grimes scoffs at Gina’s threat.

Gina’s maternal grandfather, Don Calogero Orazio was the powerful Mafia Chief of Western Sicily. He brings Gina and Teresa his daughter and only offspring to Sicily. The Don had suffered an accident. The trauma made it impossible to for him to sire children. His deep-rooted yearning that someone of his blood would become his successor was unshakable. Gina was his only hope. She was tall and very athletic. He noticed that she ran faster, swam better and was as strong if not stronger than girls and boys of her age and some older. He decided to train her to become the Virgin Assassin. The Don spoke to Gina with her mother Teresa at his side. Gina you often say that you will kill Frank Grimes and those bastards, the Westies, who hired him. Yes, Nonno You are too young to go against them now. Are you willing to undergo tough training for about five years to be able to kill those bastards as a trained Assassin? You must also make a vow to remain a virgin, until you succeed in avenging your father’s murder and the rape of your mother. Nonno, I am anxious to start my training. The Don introduced Gina to Toto and Rico. Toto and Rico will be your trainers, helping you to acquire the strength and skills of a Mafiosi Assassin. After years of rigorous preparation, Gina at the age of eighteen was able to hold her own, even beating Toto or Rico acting as her antagonists. Don Orazio met with his granddaughter and said, I am convinced that you have mastered all of the essential skills of an Assassin, and you are now capable of killing those sons of bitches, who put a stain on our family honor. Gina, you will leave soon for America with Toto and Rico. They will be your companions and bodyguards. I have also made arrangements with my friend and American associate, Don Frank Genuto and his under boss, Tomaso (Fats Elevator) Gato to protect you and help you if needed, to kill those bastardi. You will be staying in one of Frank Genuto’s safe houses. Nonno I am ready to go. Gina left for America and her destiny.

Gina succeeds in exacting her vengeance but she pays a deep and devastating price of misery, and grief, along with a tragic lost love, as a result of her role as a vigilanti and assassin

1

She walks in Beauty like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies; and all that’s best of dark and bright meet in her aspect and her eyes: Thus mellowed to that tender light which Heaven to gaudy day denies.

Lord Byron: She walks in Beauty

The Saint Patrick’s Day parade of March 17, 1977 was the 216th parade celebrating Irish pride in New York City. The cortege had a long and proud history. The first Saint Patrick’s Day parade took place in 1761 well before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Irish were residing in America before it became the United States of America. During the War for Independence many Irishmen served in George Washington’s Colonial army.

Tom Fahy, his wife Teresa and their 12 year old daughter Gina one month shy of her 13th birthday were going to the parade. Teresa, Gina, we have to leave soon to find a good spot in front of the reviewing stand.Yes, Dad I’m ready and can’t wait to go!" Gina shouted.

And so am I! Tom’s wife, Teresa joined in.

Great let’s get going.

The Fahy family left for the parade at eight o’clock in the morning from their home in Glen Cove, New York, on the North Shore of Long Island.

Tom drove his family to the parking lot of the Long Island Glen Street railroad station. He parked the car and they boarded the train to Penn Station at 34th Street in New York City. The trip took approximately one hour.

To Gina it seemed like forever. She kept asking her parents, Are we almost there?Be patient, Gina we’ll get there soon.

I hope so, Daddy.

From Penn Station they took the subway to 50th Street and Fifth Avenue and arrived early enough to put them in the first line of spectators, with a clear view of the parade.

Mama, the Saint Patrick’s Day parade and the Columbus Day parade are my favorites.Mine too, Gina," her mother said.

It was a bright, sunny and unusually mild day for the middle of March. Luck of the Irish! Tom exclaimed. The weather Gods have smiled and taken on the festive Emerald spirit of the parade.Teresa and Gina nodded in agreement.

Yes thank heavens it’s a beautiful day for the parade, they chorused.

Tom was wearing a green beret and a bright green tie. A bit over six feet, he was well built with wide shoulders and a square jaw. His blue eyes, light complexion and reddish blonde mop of hair were telltale signs of his Irish heritage.

Teresa, on the other hand, was of average height. Her complexion was golden olive, darker than Tom’s. Her beautiful, thick ebony mane framed her attractive face. Dark, almond shaped eyes, mesmerizing and alluring added to her beauty, and depicted her Sicilian ancestry. Teresa wore a long green scarf in honor of the day.

Gina, was tall for her age. She favored her mother, but traces of her father’s genes were clearly visible in some of her facial features and ruddy complexion. She was decked out in green from her socks to her neck and wore a green paper derby.

At the parade route they managed to find a place across the street from the V.I.P Stand. They were joined by thousands of Irish Americans and other ethnics, all, gladly Irish for the day. Gina was anxious for the parade to begin. It always started at ten a.m. sharp. The route stretched 1.5 miles along New York’s famous Fifth Avenue.

At the first shrill of trumpets and the rumble and roll of drums Gina broke out in a loud cheer. Now came the illustrious Fighting 69th Infantry Regiment swinging down the avenue to the lilting tune of Gary Owen and leading the parade.

A roar went up and cheers filled the air as the crowd welcomed the soldiers. It was an acknowledgment to honor the brave soldiers of the 69th New York Regiment. The waving of the orange, green and white flag of Ireland greeted the band and marchers. Fifth Avenue was ablaze in panoply of orange, white and green. Gina was smiling and waving her flag and excitedly shouting hooray as the soldiers marched by. Gina, look there is Governor Hugh Carey and Ed Koch our mayor.

Yes, Dad, I see them. Did you notice that Mayor Koch is wearing a Tam O’Shanter and a Killarny sweater?

I did, Gina, at every Saint Patrick’s Day parade Mayor Koch proclaims himself as Ed O’Koch. He loves the Irish and the parade. Many other politicians and dignitaries including the distinguished grandmaster of the parade, James McGowan were marching behind the 69th. Most of the politicians and other notables first went to pay their respects to Cardinal Spellman standing in front of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral before they took their place in the V.I.P. stand.

A large band of lassies from Ireland, dressed in colorful costumes, came into view, playing Irish folk music and singing the Saint Patrick’s anthem. The crowd broke out in lusty cheers and applause. Gina had a large smile upon hearing the squealing bagpipes. She craned her neck to see one of her favorite bands in the parade. The colorful bagpipers in their traditional uniforms were indeed outstanding and memorable. They were resplendent in their pleated and patterned tartan kilts, with double-breasted doublets. A black chromatic sporran pouch hung down from the kilt belts. Their brogues were covered with high white spats. The ensemble played Irish tunes of old on their highland bagpipes. Cheers rang out as the band was passing by. It was indeed a joyful day. Many beautiful floats, with various Irish themes passed by. Firemen and police bands and marchers were among the many groups in the parade, during the five hour time line of the procession. Tom waved at his boss and good friend Brian Crossley, the new Waterfront Commissioner when he spotted him sitting in the V.I.P. stand along with other dignitaries.

Tom said, Teresa and Gina at one o’clock we’ll leave the parade and go to lunch at Patsy’s Restaurant.

That’s great, remarked Teresa. They say that it’s Frank Sinatra’s favorite Italian restaurant in New York City. Dad is Maureen and Dennis going to be there?

Yes of course Gina, Tom replied. Maureen was the same age as Gina and Dennis was fourteen years old. Gina’s eyes brightened when she thought of the good looking Dennis Crossley. Gina had a crush on Dennis. The parents of both children smiled at the budding puppy love relationship..

A new Waterfront Commission had been appointed to replace the previous Commission, which was rife with a pervasive corruptive culture of racketeering. The former Commissioner and virtually his entire executive staff were ousted and replaced.

Brian Crossley, was named as the new Commissioner, John Visconti, Judge Ben Visconti’s son, was appointed legal counsel. He was on a temporary leave from his position as the head of the United States anti crime task force for the Eastern District of New York. Tom Fahy took over as Deputy Commissioner; Ray Galucci became the chief investigator and John Taylor was appointed as the new Head of Security. The succeeding Commission was charged with breaking the mob’s illicit grip on the docks. The waterfront had become the mob’s own bastion of lawlessness. The Westies mob had infiltrated the Commission. They in essence were the masters of the New York docks. The stevedores and insurance companies were also under their control

The Westies, ruled the luxury piers of Manhattan with an iron fist. Every type of racketeering was rampant. The notorious daily shape up procedure was a travesty. Apprehensive longshoremen gathered in front of the mob controlled union hiring boss hoping to be selected to unload a vessel. The docks became the breeding ground for extortion, theft, threats, beatings and murder by the thugs to feed their rackets and greed at the expense of the rank and file workers. Those longshoremen who agreed to kick back part of their salary or who fed the mob by drinking and gambling or borrowing money from mob loan sharks were invariably chosen to work by the mob’s hiring foreman. The workers’ wives and children were victimized and often went hungry when their fathers gambled or drank away their salaries.

The new Commission that replaced the former incumbents began an on going investigation to root out the mob and take on the role of an honest watch dog of the waterfronts of New York and New Jersey. The docks of Brooklyn and New Jersey were controlled by the Genovese and the Gambi mobs. The Genovese and Gambi mob’s efforts to oust the Westies from the luxury piers were met with violent resistance. At a later time a truce was arranged between the Westies and the other mobsters. They stopped killing each other. No other attempt was made to take over the Westie’s control of the lucrative New York piers. It was close to lunch time and the Fahy family was going to meet soon with Commissioner Crossley and his family.

Ed Byrne and Cockeye Dunne, the boss and under boss of the Westies mob were approaching Tom Fahy. Tom saw them coming towards him. He walked away from his family and the crowd to meet them. Tom faced the two mobsters. Ed Byrne said, Fahy we expect you as the new Deputy Commissioner to cooperate with us to stump and reduce the effectiveness of the Commission’s probe of the waterfront. As you know, Tom your father was one of us and we took good care of him. If you cooperate we will do the same for you.

Forget it, Byrne. I am not my father. I took an oath to uphold the law and I will. Now get the fuck out of my face.

Byrne, in a rage said, Okay if that’s your choice and if you decide not to cooperate with us, tough guy, then it’ll be your funeral.

You’ll be found floating in the bay with the fishes.

Cockeye added, Your father must be turning in his grave. You’re a poor excuse for an Irishman. Maybe your wife and that half breed wop brat of yours will keep you company in the water.

The threat to his family enraged Tom. He leaped at Cockeye ready to punch the thug in the mouth, but before he got to him Byrne pulled out his pistol. As Byrne raised his gun to strike Tom, a strong black arm and hand grabbed Byrne and tore the pistol away. The two gangsters made a hasty retreat and disappeared in the crowd. Tom turned towards John Taylor and said, Thanks, John.

No problem, Tom. Commissioner Crossley had seen the confrontation taking place between you and those miserable bastards and he sent me to help you.

I’m glad he did. John Taylor was a tall, elegant handsome black man, in charge of the new Waterfront Commission’s Security division. John was a graduate of Harvard and had played professional football for the Chicago Bears as a wide receiver, under the famous football coach, George Halas.

Tom Fahy, his wife and daughter had watched the parade for three hours. Teresa and Gina we must leave now for lunch. Patsy’s Italian restaurant is close by on West 56th Street.

Good, Tom, Teresa said. We can walk it.

Tom said, The restaurant, a noted landmark is family owned and features a delicious Neapolitan cuisine.

Teresa said, Yes, Tom I have heard that it is Frank Sinatra’s favorite Italian restaurant in New York.

That’s true, Teresa.

They arrived at the restaurant. It was as usual crowded, but they had reservations in the preferred second floor dining room. Brian Crossley and his family were seated at the reserved table. They welcomed the Fahys. Greetings were exchanged. Gina sat between Maureen and Dennis. The food and service were excellent, the piped in music of Frank Sinatra was pleasing.

Gina flirted with Dennis and Maureen giggled. After the delicious lunch the families said their goodbyes and left. Before leaving Brian and Tom discussed the incident with the Westies. "Tom you know as well as I do that Byrne and Cockeye Dunne are vicious psychopathic killers. You may be in danger. I’ve called Joe Condon your Chief of Police in Glen Cove about the situation. He said that you were a good friend of his and that he’ll have a surveillance team in squad cars regularly patrolling by your house.

Thanks, Brian.

Teresa gazed at her handsome husband and recalled how they met. Tom was serving as a Marine guard at the American Embassy in Rome. It was love at first sight for the seventeen year old Sicilian beauty. She had applied for a visa to enter the United States as an exchange student. While she was waiting for her visa to be granted she managed to frequent the café where Tom and others from the Embassy usually went for lunch.

One day Teresa was sitting by herself at a table when Tom asked to join her. Teresa did not show her elation but nonchalantly said, Yes, please sit down.

The romance began and it flourished, but it was interrupted when Teresa received her visa and left for the United States where she became an exchange student at St. John’s University.

Tom had learned that Teresa was the daughter of Don Calogero Orazio, a powerful Mafia Don. That didn’t cool his ardor and dream of seeing Teresa again. Before Teresa left she and Tom made plans to meet in the United States. Tom had three months left on his Marine hitch.

Upon his discharge he told Teresa that he too would enroll at St. John’sUniversity .The couple met and renewed their romance. Teresa accepted Tom’s marriage proposal with joy, although she did worry about her father’s anger in her marrying an American without his permission. However, her love for Tom was fierce and since she had grown up headstrong and independent and often defied her father’s wishes.Three years after their marriage Teresa gave birth to Gina.

For the first time since his daughter’s marriage Don Orazio telephoned Teresa. In his most demanding tone he said, You must bring my granddaughter to Sicily to see her grandfather. Then I may consider forgiving you for defying me. Maybe I will even accept your marriage to a stranieri.

Papa as soon as Gina is old enough to travel we will bring her to PalermoGood, I can’t wait to see my grandchild.

A year later Tom and Teresa took their child, Gina to see her grandfather in Palermo.

The Don blessed the marriage and forgave his daughter. He was delighted with Gina when she gurgled and smiled. The proud grandfather said, You see she recognizes me as her nonno. You must bring her to visit me and stay here with me at least once a year.

The Fahys did visit often. It afforded them a great thrifty vacation. They usually stayed in Don Orazio’s beautiful seaside villa close to the ancient fishing village of Porticello and the town of Casteldeca. Tom Fahy was enthralled with the sights and sounds of Porticello. He spoke often to the fishermen as they repaired or built new fishing boats. The one and only restaurant in Porticello served fresh fish as it came off the boats. The simple preparation of the food was delicious and mouth watering.

The family often sat on the shoreline watching the man in a small boat picking up jars from the sea and harvesting live octopus. The first time Tom saw the fisherman pull a live octopus out of the jar and proceed to bite the bottom of its head, he exclaimed, Teresa is he going to eat it raw?

No, Tom he is biting the ambulatory nerve ending of the octopus to prevent it from moving back into the water.

They hated to leave Sicily but Tom’s job required his presence and participation in the ongoing effort to eliminate the mob’s dominance and oppression on the waterfront.

The new Commission had issued and served hundreds of subpoenas upon the entire motley crew consisting of the gangsters, union officials, stevedore companies and all other affiliates. It sent a clear message to the leaders of the longshoremen’s union that the Commission meant to