A wiseguy

With a chill you recognise Tony D'agostino. Tony Dogs. A soldier in the Tortella crime family. The one run by Vincent Maglio, better known in crime circles as Vinnie Mags. Vincent Maglio, who you'd bet anything is related to the Theresa Maglio you just met.

You'd met Tony a few times in New York, paying him a street tax to operate there, a tribute to the Tortella family. You had no real reason to fear him, but seeing someone who knew you here, in what you had thought of as a refuge, is jarring.

With his attention on you there's **** but to continue to approach him.

"Hey Mikey, how's it going?" he grins. "You got something working here?"

While his use of your New York street name surprises you had an answer ready.

"Sure Dogs, I got something working. Nothing big, but enough to put three squares on the table. And I'm Darnell Sharp here. A teacher."

Tony looks thoughtful, letting his eyes drift over the campus. "Lotta money here Mikey. A guy like you could make out. There's just a couple of things," he says, bringing his suddenly cold eyes back to you. "First, whatever you got going, you keep Theresa out of it. If she even gets close to whatever you're doing Mr. Maglio will be very unhappy. Capisce?"

"Sure Dogs, no problem. I'm not dumb enough to mess with Vinnie Mags."

"You fuckin' better not be. Second thing is that since you're working, there's a tax. Two yards a week."

"Come on Dogs, I just got here today. I haven't had time to get anything going. Give me a break. Besides, this ain't New York."

"I am givin' you a break. Otherwise the tax would be five. And its New York because Mr. Maglio's favourite granddaughter is here."

You nod, trying not to show relief at getting off lighter than you expected. "Ok Dogs we're cool. Friday good for the two?"

"And every Friday after," he nods. "And you keep an eye on Theresa. You see anything funny you let me or Frank know right away." He nods towards the car where you see a man sitting in the passenger seat.

"Sure," you agree. "What kind of funny?"

"Any kind. Last year the kid got in with some bad people here. They tricked her into doing some stuff that messed her up. Mr. Maglio sent me and Frank and some of his other people in to look into it. Turns out some of the older girls and a few of the teachers had a thing going. Well, none of those people are here anymore," he says with a smile that doesn't reach his eyes.

"I heard some people got fired and expelled."

"Yeah. Well yeah and no. One of them, she didn't get fired. Me and Frank picked her up and got a few other boys and ran a train on her," he tells you with a cruel grin. "She's workin' the street now in Brooklyn. Pretty good earner I hear. See you Friday Mikey. Take care of yourself." He gets into the car and drives away, leaving you standing and worrying.