act21side

Gambino... If, and I mean if, Lappland has really decided to leave us alone, and let us fend for ourselves...

Would you still stay in Siracusa?

What, do you miss your Lungmen that bad?

Hmph. Forget it, not like you'd ever understand anyway.

Let's talk about something more practical. You really plan on switching employers?

Looking at the news, the guy we tried to off today was Don Bellone's son. Seems like someone real important died at the same time.

Which sounds to me an awful lot like some unknown famiglia has been using us as their weapons.

Might as well go make that relationship formal, then.

Better than taking on odd jobs and begging for scraps.

That's right. As soon as you're back in Siracusa, you participate in an attempted assassination of one of the Dodici dons. You two sure have grown.

Guess the good ol' days are over...

Lappland...

Oh? Today's breakfast is looking pretty good.

Pay for your own.

Aw, is that any way to treat your boss?

So, what've you been up to all this time?

I went to say hi to the folks, and got to enjoy some sorely-missed family time. Simple as that.

Haah, what a relief that despicable old mug back home is just as punchable as it's always been.

You with a famiglia?

Oh, did I never mention it? My last name is Saluzzo.

Saluzzo?

You're a Saluzzo?

Capone, do you know what the thing I hate the third most is?

Capone feels a chill course through his body, but the sensation is so fleeting that he has to wonder if it was his imagination.

When people start wailing and moaning once they hear the name of my famiglia.

Ah, come to think of it, the way you do things really does remind me of that one famiglia.

What about the other two things? If I'm gonna die, might as well die knowing.

Haha. Seems like you've picked up on how to get along with me.

Actually, I just came up with that line on the spot.

Tch.

Alright, talk to me. So why'd the two of you decide to do a hit on Famiglia Bellone?

Come in.

Sorry for bothering you, Signor Segretario.

No, no, Your Honor, the pleasure is mine.

Your office is... quite impressive.

Haha, I frequently have distinguished guests here, and this is the sort of decor they prefer, so I figured I'd go along with it.

So, did you need me for something?

I wanted to talk to you about Carracci's death.

Hmm? I believe I already made a statement about that.

I know.

But I wanted to have a chat with you, for more personal reasons.

Oh right... I heard you swore you'd find Carracci's murderer and bring them to justice.

Good, good. Young folks ought to have that kind of drive.

So have you made any progress?

Unfortunately, not yet.

Sorry to hear that.

I heard you'd always been on good terms with him personally, so...

That's true. Carracci was greatly concerned with the citizenry's well being, things such as food, water, and sanitation.

But I don't think there's anything I can do to assist you.

I never actually mingled my way into his innermost circle.

So while I'd love to help, there's nothing I can do.

Anything you can give me is fine. A place you think is suspicious, or anyone in the government I should keep an eye on.

You're asking too much. You understand what I'm saying, don't you?

Your Honor... several other Ministri dei Lavori Pubblici died before Carracci. Do you remember them?

Seven? Or maybe eight?

The people in those positions were just puppets. Each famiglia was trying to push their own people up there.

But in the end, they were all taken out by other famiglie.

When it came to a position as important as il Ministro dei Lavori Pubblici, though, I'll be blunt here, it was clear as day why the famiglie filled the position with a man as spotless as Carracci instead of installing one of their cronies.

For one simple reason: if the killing continued, the construction of the city would grind to a halt.

'If our people can't get in, then we'll at least make sure yours can't either.' That is why Carracci occupied that seat.

Make no mistake, he had close ties with the Bellones. The Don's son even sat beside him as his secretary. But, in one way or another, he was just as close with every other famiglia.

There's an ancient Yan saying to the effect of 'he who walks oft along the river, inevitably finds his shoes wet,' yes? I have always trusted in Carracci's integrity, but so what? Others did not see it that way.

The way Siracusans think, you either choose to be one famiglia's pet, or you choose to be another's.

In other words, Carracci's death was inevitable. He wasn't part of any of famiglia's vision for the future. Do you think he was oblivious to that fact?

In the end, it doesn't matter whether he died today, a month ago, or a month from now.

You know how much hard work he put in.

And what did he get for it in the end?

Actually, let's assume he was as selfless a person as you say. What did the people he worked so hard for, those whom he so eloquently claimed as 'his dear citizens,' give him in the end?

Your Honor, I've also heard a great many rumors about you.

You undeniably have a fair number of accomplishments under your belt.

But among them, how many were due solely to your own hard work, and how many were influenced by the people behind your back? You already know the answer, don't you?

You—

If I may be frank, Your Honor, are you really not here to test me on behalf of Bellone?

That is not my intention, I swear.

...I'd prefer it were.

Then please heed this word of caution, Your Honor.

Let those who've died stay dead.

We already have too much to worry about without overly concerning ourselves with the deceased.

And... this is the attitude of someone who was on good terms with him?

If you want to have a slightly longer lease on life in Volsinii's government, I'd suggest you learn this lesson well.

Oh, hello sweetheart. Ah, I'm still at work right now. Are you ready to go?

Mm, alright. I'll get ready to head over then.

Okay, okay.

That was my daughter. Now, a newly-opened restaurant has invited me to inspect their ingredients tonight.

We'll have to set aside our discussion for later.

Oh right, please let Master Leontuzzo know that he is welcome to talk to me if he's interested in the gourmet experience.

...I'll remember to pass it on.

Now then, please see yourself out.

...*sigh*.

What did you say? You found someone unconscious and tied up? The leader of the bunch that attacked the restaurant?

Understood. I'll be there right away.

I'm telling you, the two of us just happened to be involved in that hit. We don't know nothing.

As for the guy who handed out the orders, we don't know which famiglia he belongs to, but he sure was generous with the cash.

They were clearly looking for hitmen with murky backgrounds like you two, so when you die, there'd be no trail back to who hired you.

You might think you ran into them by chance, but it wouldn't surprise me if they had their eyes on you a long time ago.

I'm not saying they didn't.

So, want to take a crack at who your employer is?

Probably... the Rossatis or the Saluzzos. Of the Dodici who've been fighting over this city all this time, and with the Bellones out of the picture, they're the only two famiglie with enough power left.

Right, I'm sure most people would think the same.

But now you know the Saluzzos were never planning anything like that.