He'd been driving for 24 hours, stopping only for fuel and coffee. The coupe blasted along the whole time with not so much as a backfire. It was a good car. The trip from Detroit to Los Angeles was much quicker by air but he was not going to an open city without a reliable and fast set of wheels. These kind of things were always iffy. As he threaded his way through the city to the docks he took out the letter.

Come to the docks of The Angels. A friend.

That was all, and here he was. A man had to be pretty damn bored to come all this way based on that, no matter the friend. The docks of LA were known for what arrived in the various containers, so Al figured it had something to do with some sort of merchandise arriving from overseas. He didn't really know though. That was the best part, not knowing. The siren startled him out of his reverie. A local cop pulling him over was not what Al had in mind, seeing 2 of them in the car just pissed him off. Al didn't like cops in general, but he hated the ones who weren't on the payroll. They were traveling down an ill used road in a run down industrial area, Al pulled over just past an empty warehouse, shut down the car, and waited while the officers walked up to the Deuce Coupe.

Good morning officers, names Al, what seems to be the problem?

The cop next to the drivers door was about 50 and hadn't seen a meal get passed him in all those years. His partner was about 21 and leaning on the passenger door admiring the interior of the hot rod. The youngster spoke up.

Nice car Al. She looks real fast, sounds even faster, we heard you coming a mile away. Which is why we pulled you over. We got a sound ordinance around here.

And a speed limit. This from the veteran cop.

Al looked at both men. A sound ordinance you say? Well I'll be. Tell you boys what, law and order all the way, that's Al. Soon as I find a place I'll have some quieter pipes put on the old girl. Alright? And, I'll slow her down a notch or two. Ok boys? I really need to get going

Hold on mister! You don't call the shots I do, the greenhorn may be impressed with your car but I ain't so easily distracted. You got a look about you says you aren't nearly as pleasant as you want me to think you are. You'll be getting a ticket for speeding and the car will be impounded for noise violations. You can send a tow truck to pick it up later.

Hold on a minute! Al pleaded as he stepped out of the car. Have the kid start her up at least, hell from the inside you can hardly hear a thing.

The rookie jumped into the drivers seat and the engine sprang to life. He revved her up and yelled out. Hell mister I can't hear a thing either!

The old cop shook his head and turned to his patrol car. I'm calling for a tow truck!

Al's .45 barked 3 times. The plan was perfect, the old cop died instantly, crashing onto the hood of his own patrol car and the kid never heard the shots. Unfortunately for Al the rookie saw his mentor in the mirror of the coupe. The young cop came out of the car firing. Al turned and drilled a slug into the kids head. Then he felt the searing pain in his chest, the rookie's bullet had found it's mark. Al reached into his jacket and felt around, nothing. He pulled out his other .45 and there found the cops .38 slug buried in the grip. The gun was useless, worse still, it held clear evidence of a gun battle. Al re-holstered the gun and pulled the coupe up. He carried the rookie to the patrol car and threw him in the back. He hoisted the old one up onto the hood so his feet wouldn't drag. He pulled the car into the alley behind a dumpster. They would spot it eventually but not right away. Al jumped into the coupe and headed off once again for the seaside. He arrived 20 minutes later and found a ship at a little used dock. He could see a group of people looking at him as he walked over.

One of the men stepped forward, sizing Al up.

"Got a hole in your linen, buddy," he said as he gestured toward Al's damaged suit coat. "You didn't, by any chance, bring the heat with you? 'Cuz that would be a real shame," the man said, resting his palm on the butt of his holstered weapon. "Nope. That would be bad for business. And anything bad for business should be...taken care of, real quick-like."

Al looked down at his jacket then back up to the man with the itchy finger.

That hole represents good luck and bad luck. Good luck for Al and bad luck for the guy who made it. I assure you that pulling your gun on me would be real bad luck for one of us. And, extremely bad for business. Now, I have an invitation. Al pulled out the letter and opened it up. Your no friend of mine, so show me your invitation, real quick-like.

The man smiled. "What, you don't see the family resemblance?" he asked, turning his head slightly to expose a better view of his profile. "Seems my sister had a bit of a crush on you, Big Al," he smirked. "She sent the note just prior to her untimely death. There's a small cargo ship coming in tonight. It's carrying very small, very valuable things. You know, the kind of things created under intense...pressure." The man stepped closer to Al and smiled once more. "Name's Alan." he said, extending a hand. "Now, unless you've got the heat on your tail, we just might be able to create a little pressure of our own, and walk away tonight as very rich men. What do you say?" 

Al raised his eyebrows. You'll forgive me for not shaking hands. He took out a cigarette, lit up, and blew out a long stream of smoke. So she had a crush huh? She sure had a funny way of showing it. Then again, I tend to be all business. He looked over his shoulder. Tell you what, maybe you are her brother and maybe you aren't. What really matters is the cargo and time is of the essence. You see, the heat just might be on my tail, but you don't get to worry about that. You get to worry about getting Don Anastasia his payday. Al crossed his arms and rested his hand upon the good .45 in the shoulder holster. He smiled that catlike smile.

Carlotta stood hesitantly at the boarding rail, not sure where the person who was supposed to meet her was.  She leaned heavily on her ebony cane, the golden rose clasped firmly around her neck, showing her for whom she was.  She looked across the dock looking for Don Anastasia, but he was obscured by the thugs who stood in front of him.  But finally, she spotted him and began to deboard from the ship.  The gangplank was not steady, and keeping her feet was a chore, but she managed to get to the small throng of people without landing in the drink. 

Don Anastasia, I believe I have something for you.  My kin in the old country were nice enough to make introductions.  She leaned on her cane a bit harder.  We should go some place safe and then I may produce that which I have.

"Well Alan, it would appear that your sisters influence reached far and wide." He looked from one to the other, then around the docks. "Lets step into that office over there, it looks safe enough." As they walked to the office another mobster ran up behind them. "Mind if I join you?" "Yeah you can stand guard outside the door." Al said without so much a look back. The door was unlocked so they stepped inside. He looked back at the appointed guard. "Keep an eye out for trouble." He closed the door and looked over his companions. "So we know who brought us here, now I want the why." Al lit another cigarette and patiently waited for an answer.

Carlotta smiled and with a small flourish brought her cane even with the table and with a peculiar tap-twist and pull, separated out the hidden segment.  This is a chinee puzzle box.  She tapped the cane smartly on the desk and a black roll dislodged.  She unrolled it to reveal diamonds.  I am, in effect both the bank agent, and the security for these diamonds.  I am to stay with them until they are sold or put in a safe and you take full possesion of them.  Furthermore, my contacts can offer more of the same.  The diamonds are worth a hundred times what they are bought for from the locals.

After allowing everyone a good look the black roll returned to the cane, the hidden compartment so cunningly hidden that there was no outward indication of it.

At that moment, a heavy thud sounded at the door. Alan stepped quietly towards a window to the left of it and leaned over just enough to glimpse the outside. He could just barely make out the form of the mafioso guard, now slumped against the door with a pool of blood quickly spreading around him. Alan's eyes scanned the dock area, but no movement could be detected. He turned back towards the others in the room, stepping clear of the window.

"Looks like we've got company, but I'll be damned if I can see who it is. That boy outside one of yours?" he asked, looking from one to the other.

Carlotta shook her head.  The dead man isn't one of mine, but my man Sal should be here somewhere.  She put two fingers between her teeth and whistled.  A moment later another shrill whistle responded from the right.  

A voice spoke out of the darkness,

Onore, lealtà,

famiglia, rispetto Carlotta replied.  A figure stepped out from the shadow he had been hiding in.    His hands were in front of him, holding a gun, but the rifle was carried so that it was easily brought to bear but not threatneing. 

Sal's with me.  My family sent him to protect me.  Sal approached, taking in the scene with an even glance. 

Sal spoke again, but only in italian.  Tre di più seguono, noi hanno ma i minuti, se se li fidate di, dicono loro che, se non, dica loro che ogni cosa è tutto il di destra.

There are three more behind, he will lead us to safety, or kill you all if he has to.

Sal smiled and gestured for them to follow before turning away from the building and heading for a vehicle on the far end of the quay.

Al didn't fully understand Italian but he knew Sal was in a hurry and trigger happy. He only hesitated a moment. Fuck it, I didn't drive all this way to leave empty handed. He looked at Alan as he followed Carlotta and Sal. You coming?

Curious as to how this might all play out, and more willing to trust a bodyguard that he could see, rather than an assailant that he couldn't, Alan drew is piece and followed the others out the door. He spared a last glance towards the dead man slumped near the door and shook his head.

Carlotta and Sal stopped near a military truck.  The green drab vehicle could easily hold all of them.  With difficulty Carlotta jumped up into the bed as two military officers jumped out of the front to help everyone in.  One of the military officers helping don Anastasia up into the vehicle spoke quietly, We will take you as far as the base, there is a green Packard near the gates, the keys are in it.  It belongs to a friend of a Friend.  There are police up and down the city looking for you.  Someone tipped them off that you were coming so we decided this was a way to make sure that they don't see you until we are away from the dock.

The military vehicle pulled out of the docks just as the police cars pulled in surrounding Don Anastasia's car.  The two military officers seated in the back of the vehicle with them obscure the view.  We'll send someone for your car later.

Al leaned back and tried to relax. Her words did nothing to reassure him. "Don't bother, I'll be back for it soon enough." He eyeballed the officers. "Never worked with military types before. You guys corporals or what?" Al laughed but the humor did reach his eyes. The officers were even less amused as they locked eyes with him. A sudden lurch and shift of the well used truck broke the optical standoff. "Hey relax guys, I won't make you salute me." He grinned and lit up another cigarette as they rumbled down the road.

At the Base, they are led out of the truck and pointed through a side gate to where a car waits.  I wouldn't go back to the dock for a day or so.

Carlotta nodded as they got into the car, Well Don Anastasia, where to now?  And, I would like to know who tipped the cops that you were coming.  Carlotta smiled but it was a slow, sinister sort of smile.  I would like to know if you have any idea who might have heard where you were going or why.

The smile bothered him, he had missed something earlier and she knew it. Why had the cops pulled him over anyway? Then try and impound the car? It wasn't chance, it was a set up. They tried to slow him down. So the cops, or at least some of them, knew he was coming. You could bet they were already looking for him. There was only one person who knew anything about Al's plans in LA. "Tony Sperio." "Who's that?" they said in unison. Al hadn't realized he spoke the name rather than think it. "He's a guy from New York, recently come into a little power. He is the only one who knew anything about AL and LA." He put emphasis on his own name to try and take back some control of the conversation. "What Tony does best makes him the most likely, obstacle. And there is something else." He looked from one the other. "That fucking fuck tried to have my car impounded. That points right at him. He won't shoot us, most likely anyway, but the bastard has his own ways of getting what he wants. I bet he is in LA right now!"

Al sat back contemplating the whereabouts of one Tony Sperio.

Before their car could pull away, the gate suddenly shut. Al, Alan,Carlotta, got out of the car as they saw the long black coupe pull up beside. They stood nervously as the driver of the coupe got out came to the back and opened the door. Al quickly recognized the man that stepped out, the other two were still a little nervous looking as the man approached Al.

"Well, my old friend, I see you made it. Sorry about the guy at the door. A shame when an innocent victim gets caught in business.My men have cleared the dock area, and found the rest of the people who mean to do you harm." Tony turned to look at Carlotta and Alan, then back to Al. "Al, Some one was told of your arrival, and wanted you dead at the docks. If I had not arranged your little delay you would be dead now." Tony turned back to look at the two still unknown people..."How well do you these two Al?"

Carlotta stepped forward.  Carlotta DiAmbrosi, a friend of the late Mr Steele, as to me turning them in, I was not even told who was meeting me, but rather that I would know them when I saw them.  It just chanced that Don Anastasia and I have connections in common, I assure you, the only one who knew I was coming are in the Old Country.  And Sal was aboard with me.

Sal nods and then says quietly to Carlotta, Non mi fido di un uomo che parli così rapidamente.

Tony stepped forward to greet Carlotta. Well, dear lady of honor, no one accused you of anything, but you offering an assurance of your inosense does strike me as......how to say this.....comforting. A cold steely glare came over Tony's face as he looked deply into the eyes of  Carlotta. You may be exactly who you say you are, but all I know for sure is someone wanted Big Al dead, and you were there.

Carlotta backs up.  Don Anastasia and I have some business to attend to.  With due respect, I don't know you, and you are no Friend of Mine, so if you will excuse me. 

Carlotta puts her fingers in her mouth and whistles for a passing cab.  Don Anastasia, when you are ready to take delivery, you can contact me at this number.  If they want you to speak easy, then the way to pass is the Secret of the Rose.  She and sal get into the cab and drive away.