Chapter One

Out of Retirement

The sun set on a beautiful lake. The cool breeze blew through the trees and around the fancy log cabin Tommy owned a few miles outside of the city. Tommy struck a match and lit up the cigar in his mouth as he stood on his back porch looking out over the water and his boat at the small pier down below. He took a long drag then slowly exhaled, followed by a deep breath of the fresh air he loved so much now that he was retired.

It had been a couple years now since he had worked and he very much liked the serenity and quietness of where he lived now. He walked along his deck and down the stairs and past the long driveway that wrapped around his rather large cabin. Making his way down to the water, as he often did in the mornings just enjoying the outdoors when he heard the sound of tires on the gravel road that lead to his private retreat in the distance. He maintained his gaze on the water as he took another puff of his cigar as the a fancy black car came around his cabin along the driveway pulling up behind him. 

Still Tommy didn't turn around as he heard two car doors slam behind him, followed by the foot steps of two men coming up behind him. He wasn't worried. Only a few people knew where to find him and those people would never be a threat. He smirked a grin of expectation mixed with slight frustration as he knew what this visit might mean. 

"Ex.. excuse me.. Mr. Tucci?"

A voice spoke up behind him, the footfalls stopping a few feet behind him. 

"Yes?"

Tommy replied slowly turning only his head to the side to half face them. The cigar still burning between his lips as he glared back at the two men out of the corner of his eye. Even this was enough to startle the men as they took a step back nervously. 

"Well? What is it?"

Tommy snarled this time making the men almost jump as one of them stammered out some words.

"So sorry sir. It's.. just that.. Mr. Scaletta.. he would like to have a word with you."

The almost trembling man said as he motioned back toward the still running car. Tommy slowly turned his body around to face the men, his eyes landing on the car seeing a driver still inside along with someone in the back. He sighed and cracked a partial grin as he started walking forward toward the car. The two men stepping aside and following beside him. The smoke from his cigar blowing away in the breeze as they approached the car where one of the men opened the door for him to enter. 

Tommy wrapped his robe around his body and climbed into the car, taking his seat. The inside was rather roomy with two rows of seat facing each other with the back of the driver in front. Bringing his eyes up to see his old boss Mr. Angelo Scaletta sitting before him. They stared at each other for a tense moment, enough to make the driver in the front nervous. 

A smile crept across Tommy's face first then his former boss Mr. Scaletta followed, both of them smiling and chuckling. 

"How've you been Tommy?"

Mr. Scaletta asked, his face more relaxed now as Tommy answers.

"It's been quiet. I like quiet." 

Tommy simply said. Looking out the window at his serene retreat before looking back at Mr. Scaletta who chuckled at his response before sighing. His voice turning apologetic almost. 

"I know, but I need your help with something... For old times sake." 

Mr. Scaletta said looking Tommy squarely in the eyes. Expressing the seriousness but with the utmost respect as these two men had become good friends over their very long criminal career. 

Tommy sat back, his face blank and not changing as he thought for a moment. Silence filling the car before he finally spoke up. 

"Angelo.."

He started, taking another drag from his cigar creating a second of pause in his words. 

"You're one of my best friends.. and I've known you a long time. You already know.."

He continued, his eyes still locked on Mr. Scaletta's. 

"Anytime you need me... I'm here."

Tommy said as he began to crack a smile. Angelo was his closest friend after all and he knew he would be well compensated and there's no such thing as too much money. Mr. Scaletta smiled sitting back into his seat before continuing and giving Tommy the details, pulling out a folded paper from his pocket and handing it to him. 

"I lost two guys the other day trying to get this very important package.. and now I've managed to find out where it's at now. I need you to get it for me." 

Mr. Scaletta said as Tommy read and memorized the address on the paper before tucking away into his robe pocket. Tommy nodded as he opened his door and put one foot out the car. His bare foot hitting the ground as he leaned and stepped out of the car as Mr. Scaletta moved to the window as it rolled down. The door closing as Tommy turned around, his former boss and friend smiling up at him from inside the car. 

"You've got three days before it's moved again." 

He said as the two men previously outside now open doors and climb back into the car. Tommy taking another drag from his cigar and nodding to Mr. Scaletta in acknowledgment as the car rolled backwards and turned around to head away from the cabin. 

He took a deep breath and tossed his slightly more than half used cigar down to the ground. Turning and slowly walking back to his cabin to get dressed, taking in the fresh air and sounds of nature one last time before he has to head back into the city.

"Well.. So much for retirement.."

He chuckled to himself as he walked up the steps to his back deck and up to the back door to his cabin...