Why I Hated The Guy From The FBI Ch. 10

"Fuck! Thank you sir, will be in touch."

Appleby called the main trunk line operator, and told her to get a line to Interpol immediately. Within seconds her phone rang and she gave the inspector on the other side a rundown of what was going on with Anthony Caruso, and his supposedly drug-related enterprise. They were watching his every move, and now his aircraft had been diverted to Shannon. They needed eyes on him, when the aircraft landed, and to make sure that he got back on it when it departed.

The inspector told her that he would see what he could do, but there was very little time to get people in place.

When Antonia walked in the door she saw Frank standing by the kitchen table and immediately said, "What is wrong?"

Frank replied, "What could possibly be wrong?"

"Frank, you lying sack of shit, you could not hide anything from me if your life depended on it. Your face is an open book. You have fear written all over it. Tell me before I come over there and rip your head off."

"Antonia we are getting married next Saturday. Everything is all arranged for us. The church is ready; the flowers are ready; the banquet hall is ready. The caterer assures us everything is ready. What could possibly go wrong?"

"10, 9, 8, 7, 6,

"Your parent's flight was diverted to Shannon, Ireland, because it has a bad engine."

"Is that all? That is what you were keeping from me? Come over here you dummy, kiss me."

Frank felt much better that she had taken it like a real adult. He approached her with his arms outstretched, cuddled her and kissed her neck, until he felt every hair on the back of his head being pulled out by its root.

In a voice that seemed to come from the devil himself, she screamed, "Did you call the airline to see what arrangements have been made for the passengers? Did you call to find out when the passengers would be here? Did you call to find out if the passengers were okay? Did you call to find out, why they sent a defective airplane, on a long trip, with my parents on it? Did you tell them you are going to kill each one of them, if my father and mother are hurt? Did you do anything at all?

A calm voice behind her said, "Yes, he called me."

Antonia turned and saw Celeste standing there in a sunshine bright yellow dress, yellow shoes, and a yellow scarf tied in her hair. She looked as radiant as the sun.

"What are you going to do, since you are here, and my parents are in Ireland?"

"Your parents will be in Ireland for possibly one hour or less."

"How are you going to pull that off, little miss sunshine? Are you going to call Capt. John luc Picard and the Starship Enterprise and beam them up?"

"If you are going to be nasty I am not going to tell you, midget."

"If you start with me today I will cut your body off at the hips just so I can bloody your nose."

"Did you ever check your schedule, so we could go to the gym and duke it out?"

"Let me get it right now."

"Are your parents more important than your schedule?"

"Yes they are, but you are here, and you are pissing me off, more than they are right now."

"Frank, why don't we leave, and let shorty stew, in her own juices."

"Celeste, I swear, by all that I hold holy, that I will take you apart, limb by limb, if you do not stop it."

"I will stop it, the day you stop lying to me."

"Come on Celeste, I do that so well."

"Yes tiny, I know. It is up to you little person. You can grow up or you can stay a little girl for the rest of your life."

"Celeste, you are no fun."

"Okay my microscopic wonder, you are getting married on Saturday as a child, and you are going to descend into babyhood, instead of growing up into womanhood."

"Bitch!"

"Come on Frank let us go to a bar, children, under 18, are not allowed in there."

"I am 19 years old."

"Yes, but you are acting like a 12-year-old."

"I will not lie to you anymore, I promise, cross my heart and hope to die."

Celeste walked over to Antonia and hugged her. She asked her, "How much did that hurt you little one?"

"You said you would stop that Celeste."

"You are right, I did, but I had to get that last one in. Now would you like me to tell you about your parents; and your brother and sister-in-law?"

"Okay, yes I would like to know how you are getting them here, without the use of your witch's broom."

"Smart ass."

"You deserved that one."

"This morning at 12 o'clock Pacific time, Ann and Charlie took off on one of my private jets, to come to your wedding. Your parent's jet took off at 6:30PM Eastern Time. With the time difference, it put my jet, one hour behind the American Airlines jet. Your dad called Frank; told him the problem. Frank called me; and I called my airplane to see where he was. My airplane will land about 45 minutes after the American Airlines plane. By the time the passengers deplane, and get everything settled, my pilot will inform American Airlines, that he is taking four of their passengers with him, and leaving the luggage on their aircraft to be delivered here, after they land. If they have a problem with that, they can unload the luggage and find the bags, and we will put them on our airplane. It is just that simple."

Antonia put her head against Celeste chest and said, "I love you Celeste."

Celeste replied, "I know you do Antonia, and I love you too. Why don't you and I get something to eat, and let the men to forage for themselves?"

"They will starve."

"That is okay. It will show them who has the real power in the family."

"I will get my coat. Maybe they can find a Burger King or a McDonald's somewhere."

Frank replied, "We are on the college campus. I know where the cafeteria is, shorty," as he started running for his life.

Celeste laughed, as she grabbed Antonia by the neck of her coat. "Baby, his legs are too long for you to catch him. Wait until he is in bed with you, and make him pay dearly for that remark."

"You are right, Celeste. I am marrying him Saturday. There is no law that says he has to 'Walk down the Aisle with Me.' I think a wheelchair would be a nice touch."

Celeste walked out of the Villa, holding Antonia's hand, laughing along with her.

"Shannon Approach Control, This is American Airlines 51547, Flight level 140. We have one engine out, requesting straight in approach, over."

"American 51547, Shannon Approach Control, Cleared Straight-in ILS Approach Runway Zero Six. Descend and Maintain Flight Level 50, over."

"American 51547 Roger. Runway Zero Six, Five Thousand Feet. Be advised, Engine number two is running hot."

American 51547, emergency crews will be standing by. Report the outer marker, over."

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the captain, again. We are on approach to Shannon airport, about 20 miles out. Please tighten your seat belts. We have one engine out and our second engine is running hot. We will make it to Shannon, but I am not going to slow down until the wheels touch the ground. It will be a very rough landing, but it is better than landing in the water. Listen to the flight attendants carefully, follow their instructions to the letter, and everything will be over in seven minutes. Thank you very much for your cooperation."

There was no panic, in the back of the aircraft, however there was one very frightened young mother in the front of it.

"Vincent, I want my baby."

"Donna, she is our baby, and we will watch her grow up, get married and give us grandchildren to be proud of. This is just a bump in the road of our lives together. We have not even had our first good fight yet. No couple dies before that happens. Hold my hand and we will be landing safely in three minutes, or a little more."

Rose said to Tony, "When did he grow up?"

"I have no idea, sweetheart, but he did an excellent job just now."

There was a loud thump outside the aircraft and the flight attendant went on the speaker system immediately and said, "The landing gear is now down. Prepare to land. Brace yourselves."

Within seconds, the aircraft hit the ground hard, bounced and hit the ground, again. The sound of the engine reversing came, and everyone could feel the aircraft shuddering to a stop. As the strain of the seatbelts relaxed, the people started to applaud the flight crew's efforts on their behalf. The plane taxied off the runway and shut down the working engine.

The ground crew attached a tow tug to the front wheel and pulled the aircraft to its assigned gate. The passengers were deplane, and awaited further instructions in the waiting area. The first class passengers were sent to the British Airways Empire Club Lounge to wait.

"Anthony Caruso, please pick up a green courtesy telephone. Anthony Caruso, a Green courtesy telephone please."

"Hello, this is Anthony Caruso."

"Mister Caruso, my name is Steve Reeves. I am a pilot for Celeste Mesner. She is a friend of your daughter, Antonia. Your wife, Rose may be more familiar with Miss Mesner's name."

"Rose, do you know a Celeste Mesner?"

"Yes, she is a friend of Antonia's, why?"

"I will tell you in one minute."

"Okay Mr. Reeve's what can I do for you?"

"No sir, it is what your daughter and Ms. Mesner wants me to do for you. I am to put you on my aircraft, with your wife, daughter-in-law and son, and take you to Milan, now."

"How did you know we were here?"

"Sir, I can tell you do not know Ms. Mesner. She has put me on a time table. If I do not have you in Milan within two hours of your scheduled arrival time, she is going to fire me. So if you would kindly meet me at the American Airline desk in the security area, I will make all the arrangements to get you and your family out of here, and on your way to Milan."

"Okay Mr. Reeves, we are on our way."

After thirty minutes of negotiation, the Caruso's were allowed to depart, without their bags. They climbed into the Gulfstream jet, where they were introduced to Ann and Charlie and strapped in for take-off.

Once airborne Rose asked, "Are you the famous Charlie, that my future son-in-law sent to the Amazon Jungle to find Celeste?"

"That would be me, I am afraid, Rose. He sent me to the wrong place, with the wrong name and spelled the entire city wrong also."

"Did he do anything right?"

"Yes, his check did not bounce."

Everyone in the aircraft laughed, but Ann hit him so he continued. I also found the love of my life on that journey. Ann and I are going to get married on April 8th of next year. Antonia and Frank are going to be invited. I have only 30 people coming from my side, because I have no living relatives. I would be honored if all of you could attend. Ann is going to have 450 people on her side of the church; I would like to make it close."

Tony laughed, "I could bring my family and all of Rose's family from Italy and it still would not be close."

As fate would have it, there was a shift change at Shannon Airport twenty-five minutes after the Gulfstream carrying the Caruso's departed. Thirty minutes later, 6 screaming police cars pulled up in front of the International Terminal looking for the passengers from American Airlines Flight 51547. The police ran down the corridors to the assigned gate and found several hundred people, sitting, or milling around, unattended.

The police asked, "Where is the gate agent?"

Several people turned as one, and responded, "If you find him, would you remind him we are still here, waiting for information."

Taking a chance, the lead detective asked, "Is there an Anthony Caruso here?"

There was no answer.

A ray of sunshine came through the clouds, when a young woman said, "Maybe he is in the 'First Class Lounge' sir."

The detective wanted to kiss her, but had to rush off to see if his quarry was there. Then he realized he did not know which first class lounge to look in. He had to find that American Airline Gate Agent. He picked up a green telephone an announced "This is Detective Sergeant Finch. Find me someone from American Airlines, now."

A polite voice spoke over the public address system. "Would anyone from American Airline, who would like to speak to a Detective Sergeant Finch, please pick up a green courtesy telephone, thank you.

The phone did not ring. Apparently, no one from American Airlines desired to have a conversation with the detective, either now, or anytime in the future. Detective Finch picked up the green telephone and said, "This is Detective Sergeant Finch. Either someone from American Airlines calls me, or I am going to impound the aircraft from New York."

The telephone rang immediately. "This is Steve. What can I do for you?

"What Lounge did you put the first class customers from flight 51547."

"How would I know sir, I am a mechanic. Speak to someone in customer service."

The detective was at his wits end, when he saw a beverage cart being brought out of a service alley and headed towards the gate areas. He asked the attendant, "Who are these beverages for, sir?"

"These are for the people from flight 51547."

"First class and coach?"

"Yes sir."

"Would you mind if we follow you to the First Class lounge?"

"No sir, not at all. It is the British Airways Empire Club, just up ahead on the left, sir."

"Thank you my friend you are a life safer."

The detectives ran ahead only to find a velvet rope strung across the opening with a sign saying, "Closed."

"What now chief?"

"Go to the aircraft, close the door, if you can and put a crime scene sticker on it. You two go to the American Airlines ticket desks and arrest any employee that is there. You four go to the gate area for flight 51547, and find the Caruso's; they could not have vanished into thin air. I am going to get a cup of tea. Then I am going to call the station, and wait for all hell to break loose."

It did! A telex was sent to New York stating that the Caruso's were not in Ireland. No one remembers talking to them on the aircraft. No one had seen them get off the aircraft.

Ed Cross was notified, while he was in the Pocono's. He said two words, "He's gone."

Susan Appleby had not cursed this much, at one human being, in her entire life. She had dealt with criminals worse than Caruso. She hated him, because he had tried to play the nice guy. Then, he fucked them, as soon as he had a chance. How the hell he got two jet engines to fail was beyond her. She was pissed, beyond reason.

Celeste's aircraft touched down at the Lineata Airport, a few miles outside the old city of Milan. There were no FBI agents here for several reasons: 1.They expected him to land at the larger international airport at Malpensa. 2. They had been sent home, because his aircraft was going to be delayed indefinitely, due to engine trouble. 3. They had no idea where Anthony Caruso was. For all the FBI knew now, Anthony Caruso could be the new head of the Irish Republican Party. Some of the FBI agents would not mind the switch, because he would then become a problem for the British Government, and Agent 007.

Antonia ran into her mother's arms, as her feet hit the ground. "I was never worried mama; I knew you would be safe. I just knew it."

"If you knew it baby, why are you crying?"

"I could not live if I had lost you now. I need you too much."

"Hello daddy, I missed you, I really did. I did not miss the restrictions, but I did miss you."

"Hello, little one; it is wonderful to see you, also. My how you have grown."

"Daddy you are not going to live to see my wedding day."

"Still my little girl, Antonia. Frank has not broken your spirit, I am happy to see. Give your father a kiss, before you kill him."

Antonia passed by Vincent and hugged Donna. "Hello Donna. How is my niece? Show me some pictures; pictures, pictures, pictures!

Two stretch Limousines quickly took them, from the city to Philips estate, in short order. As they reassembled on the gigantic patio area,

Charlie said to Anthony, "Shy little thing, isn't she?"

"Charlie, just a word of warning, if you use a word indicating small, in reference to my daughter, the next thing you will get is either a knee to the balls or a right cross that you will remember for the remainder of your life, after you wake up."

Frank came up behind the two men and patted them on their backs and said, "Hello." Then he pointed to Philip, who was standing with Rose, Celeste, and Ann.

He said, "Charlie, Philip did not know that rule, and one evening he, jokingly, said something about Antonia's height. She laid him out for almost 40 seconds, and needed another moment, before he attempted to stand-up. So my friend, consider yourself warned. I will tell her Ann has dibs on your lower parts. Hopefully, she will not take them away from you permanently. However, my future wife has a fuse that is so short; some people say she does not have one, and she must combust spontaneously. I suppose it is a possibility, but I am not convinced, because I have seen steam come out of her ears, before she attacks me.

"You are getting married to her on Saturday, correct?"

"Absolutely, Charlie, only God could keep us apart."

"That is the same way I feel about Ann, Frank."

"That is what I have been told Frank. Congratulations, when do you intend to do the introductions?"

"Everyone here knows Ann, except you and tiny. (Charlie said 'Tiny' very loud, so it could be heard over all the other conversations.)

Antonia's head popped up, and her eyes turned as red as a rabid dog, looking for the person, who dared call her "tiny." She saw her father and Frank back away from a man she did not know, and she zeroed in on him as the perpetrator.

Donna watched her get up as if she were in a trance.

Ann saw Antonia looking at Charlie, like he was lunch, but Celeste was keeping her from moving.

Rose and Vincent watched the oncoming storm, from a safe distance, but decided to move closer to Tony and Frank.

Antonia asked Charlie, "Do you have a problem with me?"

"No, not really. I just did not know the circus let the dwarfs out to play by themselves."

"You are correct they do not let us out to play by ourselves. We come in packs of three and more. Get him guys!"

Charlie bought it. He looked around for one split second, and Antonia was on him, like stink on shit. She was on his back, pulling his hair, biting neck and ears, choking and kicking him, until Frank and Philip pulled her off him. She was still in fight mode until Frank threatened to put her into an ice bath, if she continued with this behavior.

Charlie was laughing his ass off and applauding. So was everyone else, who had watched Antonia in action. He walked over to Antonia, with one hand in the air, as a sign of surrender and the other to shake her hand.

He said, "I was told so much about you, and how you handle yourself, I had to see it for myself. I could have defeated you easily, because I am an expert in many forms of martial arts. However, that was not my purpose here tonight. I wanted to watch raw talent in action. With proper training you could be one of the best ever women fighters, in your weight group. You are amazing, Antonia, absolutely amazing. Antonia was stunned. No one had ever told her that she had talent in her fighting, just that she fought like the devil was in her. Maybe it was the same thing.

"Thank you Charlie, but my life is going in another direction. I am studying economics and investment counseling, so I can take control of Celeste's portfolio, after the crash. Then I will be able to make her money, and make some for myself at the same time."

Charlie said, "While I have your undivided attention, I would like to introduce you to my fiancé. Antonia Caruso Gennaro, please meet my future bride, Ann Michaels Gomes."

Antonia and Ann hugged for the very first time, but not the last. Antonia said, "Charlie has a weird way of doing things, doesn't he?" Ann laughed and replied, "I have only known him for a little more than a month, but I have enough stories to keep you up at night, for a few years."