The Reluctant Godfather

By Dr. Verdun Trione

The Reluctant Godfather is a chilling and suspenseful tale of a mild professor who inherits his uncle's Mafia empire. A power struggle ensues and the inexperienced Florio finds himself in the middle of a dilemma—he must protect his birthright or be killed.
Mafia life is drawn from characters the author knew as a child in the Sonoma Valley of California. Others were drawn on relatives in San Francisco, Berkeley, Petaluma, and Pittsburg, California; including the Northern California Coast. Having spent thirty-five years in Las Vegas and other parts of Nevada, he became familiar with the settings and people of that unique state to write this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books for Pleasure
• Release date: Sep 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781553490906

Book preview

THE RELUCTANT GODFATHER

(The Legacy of Uncle Quattro)

By

Dr. Verdun Trione

Copyright Verdun Trione 2001

All rights reserved

ISBN # 978-1-55349-090-6

Published by Books for Pleasure at Smashwords

To Ethel,

Who never forgot commitment and loyalty

Acknowledgments

The author drew on characters he knew as a child in the Sonoma Valley of California. Others were drawn on relatives in San Francisco, Berkeley, Petaluma, and Pittsburg, California; including the Northern California Coast.

Having spent thirty-five years in Las Vegas and other parts of Nevada, he became familiar with the settings and people of that unique state to write this book.

He wishes to thank his wife, Ethel, a former librarian, for her careful reading of the manuscript. His thanks to daughter, Jill, and her husband, Richard, for their thoughtful suggestions.

He thanks authors Bayard Stockton for editing; and Duane Unkefer for encouragement to complete the manuscript.

The Reluctant Godfather

List of Characters

Protagonists

Dr. Florio Treponte:

Professor of Social Psychology,

Nevada Southern University.

Reluctantly cajoled into taking over the Mafia empire of his deceased Uncle Quattro.

…

Ethel Treponte:

Wife of Florio. Active in the community.

…

Jilliana:

Daughter; age 24. Executive with a cable company.

…

Aldo:

Son; age 26. Doctoral student at U.C. Berkeley.

…

Dominic Vagliente:

Consiglieri. Member of Board of Directors of Treponte Enterprises.

…

Sol Lewen:

Controller; Board of Directors member for Treponte Enterprises.

…

Conor O’Reilly:

Member Board of Directors for Treponte Enterprises.

Liaison for overseas companies. In charge of security with companies including hotels and casinos in Las Vegas and Reno. Also a pilot.

…

Bart Bain:

Member Board of Directors for Treponte Enterprises. In charge of construction, maintenance and transportation for Treponte Enterprises.

…

Mario and Nello:

Gay bodyguards for Florio Treponte

…

Huicksi Pavati:

Hopi; Executive Aide to Florio Treponte

…

Paco and Paloma Garcia:

Caretakers of the Villa

…

Antonio Pescadero:

Driver/Guard for Dr. Treponte

…

Morrie Berman:

Lobbyist at Nevada Legislature for Treponte Enterprises

…

Fermi Giusti:

Electronics computer wizard for Treponte Enterprises

…

Ilya Zorya:

Attorney; marries Jilliana

…

Philomena (Mena) Vencal:

Married Aldo

…

Tonia Vagliente:

Dominic Vagliente’s daughter. Vice President in charge of mining and oil interests for Treponte Enterprises

…

Otto Hagel:

Librarian at the Villa

…

Emelio Barsi and Elda Barsi:

Pilots for Treponte Enterprises; helicopters and jets

…

Gilcooley and Eco LoPinto:

Pilots

…

Andrea Vagliente, Teresa O’Reilly, Lori Bain, Helen Lewen:

Wives of Directors

…

Lorenzo Modena:

Philadelphia Don

…

Marco Cagliare:

New Orleans Don

…

Lucio Tasso:

St. Louis Don

…

Tony Leone:

University President; later Governor

…

Geraldo Ventura:

Superintendent of Mitchell Mines for the Treponte’s

…

Dario Gambogi:

Superintendent of Planned Youth Center, called Sipapumi

…

Dino Traverso:

Sheriff Nye County where Youth Center is located

…

Charles Gampa:

Contact in Spokane for Signorelli, Don of Vancouver

Antagonists

Vitale Geno:

Don of Seattle and Spokane. Bitter enemy of Trepontes. Controls Lenzis and DeVitos; also Doge

…

Vito Lupo:

Nephew of Geno. Lives in Italy

…

Joe Lenzi Family:

Kansas City Don. Constant quarreling with Trepontes over oil rights in Kansas and Oklahoma.

…

Calvino Doge:

Nevada State Senator. Corrupt and desires Youth Center for visibility when he runs for state governor.

Others

John Logan:

Assistant to Gambogi while building the Sipapuni Youth Center.

…

Legislators:

Aiupa, Green, Callahan and Diaz

(Nevada)

…

Michael Stuhff:

Attorney for the Trepontes

CHAPTER ONE

A RELUCTANT GODFATHER

April 1975

Florio Treponte, Ph.D., hurled the door open and snarled at his empty office, Why do I deal with these illiterate bastards? He slammed his briefcase on the desk and crumbled into his chair.

The President’s Advisory Board at Nevada Southern University had just informed the Chairman of the Social Psychology Department, flatly, that his proposal for a Youth Rehabilitation project would not fly. This was despite a Federal offer to fund the project for the second and third years. They added insult to injury by accusing him, Dr. Florio Treponte, of using the university to further his interests.

In the past, Florio had brought grants amounting to several million dollars into Nevada Southern University. He had shared it with other departments on joint projects. Now the Advisory Committee had the chutzpa to recommend any further projects of his be assessed thirty-seven percent for administrative costs. Quite a jump from nineteen to thirty-seven percent.

What kind of idiocy? In fifteen years he had built a well regarded Department of Social Psychology from two to nine professors.

He scowled at his degrees on the wall from Roosevelt, DePaul and California Universities, including the many awards he had won for his scholarly contributions.

Treponte’s phone dragged him out of his fury. It rang again. Probably one of his graduate students.

Treponte.

A practiced baritone came over the telephone. My name is Dominic Vagliente. I am an attorney. I am calling at the request of Quattro Treponte, your uncle, now deceased. You are the heir to his will.

What!? What is this--?

The voice overrode him; Your Uncle Quattro passed away three weeks ago. He left instructions for us to find you.

But – I was seventeen the last time I saw Uncle Quattro!

Vagliente cut in, This is a delicate matter. We need to meet with you, urgently! About your inheritance. What time may we be at your house?

Florio blurted, Seven’s okay.

There will be myself and three other gentlemen from your uncle’s organization. We know the way. Click.

Inheritance? Florio lapsed into shock. His thoughts echoed to his earlier meeting with the Advisory Board. They had rejected his youth project. Was this a way out? What else could it be?

He drove the twenty minutes to his New England-style home deep in thought. He smiled briefly at the house’s shingled walls and French windows laced with Algerian Ivy. Mesquite, Cottonwood and Live Oak trees surrounded the home.

Florio loved the house. Occasionally he had seminars with his graduate students before a huge fireplace, surrounded by the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.

The professor ran the car into the garage. He could only speculate. He had learned to postpone judgments when information was lacking. If you believe in something too much, he often told his students, you close your mind to what really may be.

Treponte stared at an olive tree from a French window. His thin-lipped mouth and strong chin twisted in a brief grin which lifted his cheekbones.

Florio stretched his five-foot, eight-inch stocky frame to work out the cramps of tension and lay down on the sofa. He had over an hour before his visitors arrived. Florio dozed.

Twenty minutes later, Ethel arrived home from a club meeting. He watched her enter the room. Florio thought fondly of his wife of twenty-six years. The redheaded, green-eyed daughter of Lithuanian immigrants; five foot, three-inches, and still had her figure! She was a bright, pragmatic person. Together they had reared a son and daughter, now both adult and successful.

Florio stared at her for several seconds. Sit down. You have to hear what’s happening to me—to us.

What? frowning.

You recall I once told you about an Uncle Quattro?

Wasn’t he the Mafia Don?

Florio nodded. Within the hour we will have four visitors from Treponte Enterprises to tell me I am the heir Uncle Quattro designated in his will. They will be here to tell me I am to take over his corporation.

He completed the statement with a stricken face.

Ethel sensed his agony. Is this what you want? Do you need this after all these years?

The doorbell interrupted them. Opening the front door, four men dressed with expensive casualness stood before them.

I am Dominic Vagliente. He looked over Florio’s shoulder, and you must be Ethel Treponte?

Mute, Ethel and Florio drew them into the living room. They sat facing them inquiringly.

Vagliente introduced a short, stocky ‘everyman’, smiling pleasantly at everyone, named Sol Lewen. Florio immediately liked the man.

Conor O’Reilly, a young, tall black with intense gray eyes, blinked humorously, sensing Florio’s questioning look over his name.

My father was Black Irish and Italian. My mother was a product of the slaves who intermarried with the Seminole Indians.

A man for all seasons, murmured Florio.

Next was a young man whom the professor had known when he was a graduate student ten years before.

Bart? queried Ethel and Florio simultaneously.

Bart Bain smiled broadly at them, then swept up Ethel in a huge hug. It’s great to see you again. I remember your kindness to me as a student, referring to the many visits he had made to their home.

Vagliente cleared his throat. Bart joined our staff when Don Quattro learned of Dr. Treponte’s support of Bart for his master’s degree. He leaned toward Florio. As I told you, you are the sole heir of your Uncle, Don Quattro. You were his choice eight years ago.

Florio Treponte shook his head in confusion. I know nothing about running an organization. I’m an academic. Have been for years. I’m well known in my profession. I can’t give that up. How would I start?

How can we change? asked Ethel, trying to grasp what she was hearing.

Sol Lewen held up a hand. Think, Professor. We are talking about a billion-dollar corporation. Treponte Enterprises hires over two thousand people; artisans, professionals, technicians and managers. We have holdings in California, Nevada, Montana, Kansas and Washington. Out of the U.S., we have holdings in Canada, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Chili, Italy, Gibraltar and Africa. Lewen turned and said sympathetically to Ethel, I am sorry this is such a shock to you.

Ethel could only nod.

Vagliente continued patiently. Florio, Don Quattro followed tradition. You are the eldest of his brother; your father, Octavio. He recognized you as a modern Renaissance Man. He reverently drew from his briefcase a portfolio.

Don Quattro kept a scrapbook of all your activities; the awards you won; your erudite books and journal publications; the projects you brought to the University, and the brilliance of your consultancies. He handed the portfolio to Florio. He wanted you to have this."

Dominic explained further. Don Quattro chose each of us, and trained us to the ways of the Mafia and the jobs we presently hold. We are the Board of Directors. We are the administrative heads of Treponte Enterprises. It’s a family corporation. We each received ten percent of the Treponte holdings. You own sixty percent.

Florio heard Ethel gasp. With her experience as a Financial Planner, it didn’t take her long to grasp the enormity of the fortune they were asked to assume.

You are the new Godfather. The Don! informed Bart.

My God! Florio! exclaimed Ethel, half rising from her seat. Florio rose from his seat and motioned gently to her chair. He paced before the visitors. He stopped abruptly in front of them, his eyes searching those of each man.

This is Mafia, he declared.

What you do is illegal, echoed Ethel’s indignation.

The four men smiled benignly.

Lewen explained. Don Quattro broke loose from the Cosa Nostra years ago. He wanted nothing to do with the old ways—drugs, prostitution, larceny. Because of his honesty, the Las Vegas hotels and clubs hire his truck and security services. He has a reputation among most of the Dons in the country as well as in Europe. He ran a straight business.

Florio returned to his chair. Ethel grasped his hand, worry marking her face.

O’Reilly added, In the early days there were efforts to assassinate the Don. He outwitted them at every turn. This is not a dishonest situation he has left you.

Florio gave Ethel a reassuring shake of her hand.

What’s the present relationship with the Families? Who and where are the ones that pose a threat? I don’t understand how a man can pull out of the Mafia and survive.

Lewen sidestepped the question. Don Quattro desired that you and your wife, Ethel, live in the Villa Treponte. It’s located on a hundred acres adjacent to the Red Rock State Park, eleven miles west of here.

I know the park well, answered Florio, but I never saw a villa in that area.

You no doubt saw only trees chuckled Lewen. Don Quattro spared no expense establishing it. I am certain you and your wife will be pleased with it.

Ethel looked indignant, pressing Florio’s arm with her hand.

Christ, Florio thought. They’re already assuming I’ll take the job. This will be a tough one to turn down.

Dominic Vagliente gestured with another portfolio he had just drawn from his briefcase.

In this portfolio you will find a request from the Don that you build a rehabilitation center for delinquent youth. This stipulation also was in his will.

Florio looked intensely at the lawyer.Did he really know I had such a wish?

Bart Bain shook a playful finger. "Dr. Treponte, I recall you telling your graduate students about the proposal you sent to the Ford Foundation. The foundation agreed your plan was exemplary. They objected to the desert location. They wanted the kids near their families. You disagreed.

The attorney added, Don Quattro knew he was running out of time. Hearing this from Bart, he arranged for your wish to be fulfilled.

Florio Treponte was hooked.

Expense? he inquired.

No object, assured Lewen. The Don made me put twenty-five million as a contribution from Treponte Enterprises. The funds are in a non-profit account.

O’Conor, of the dark skin and gray eyes, inserted Don Quattro understood the need to build in the desert for such a project. Presently, we are inspecting an old deserted mining town a hundred miles northeast of here. It may serve your purpose.

What are the conditions?

None, replied Dominic. You have the total resources of Treponte Enterprises behind you. Don Quattro’s only stipulation was that you live at the Villa.

May I suggest, offered Lewen with a benevolent smile, that you think about this.

Vagliente, the attorney, summed up. The first three months will require that you visit our holdings around the world. That would allow time for the youth center to be built.

Overwhelmed, Florio could only nod. Ethel looked stunned.

Continued Vagliente, I am aware all this is a shock to you. We are anxious for your answer. To invoke an old cliché, it’s an offer you cannot refuse.

Florio took Ethel’s hand. He realized she felt her world was falling apart. He recognized the cliché. He recalled stories from his grandfather and father about their hometowns in Italy. He knew he was facing the subtle feudalism that pervaded Italian families.

Began Florio, This requires strong leadership. I doubt if I can---.

Lewen interrupted to show detailed familiarity with Florio’s background. He mentioned two consultancies and several of his former outstanding graduate students. You are well qualified.

Florio was stunned by their intimate knowledge of him.

O’Reilly waved a hand. There is a problem. Whether you accept this proposal or not. You, your wife, your children, and a brother in California are in danger. We have had all of you under protective surveillance for two years.

Florio’s mouth dropped open. What the hell is this?

Dominic looked steadily at Florio and Ethel. As Consiglieri, I made that decision. It was my respect for the Don. You and your family had to be protected. The Don’s worst enemies, Geno and the Lenzis, had contracts on you.

In fact, O’Reilly added, I was in charge of your shadows. It took a twenty-four hour schedule to keep all of you covered. He grinned, eyes sparkling, We had a devil of a time covering you in Reno when that drunk tried to get into the University car you were driving.

Protested Florio, He was harmless.

Yeah, sure. The 9 millimeter Beretto we took off him wasn’t a peanut whistle.

Florio’s heart raced, a chill invading his spine.

Who—who was he?

Massa, El Mato—the crazy killer. One of Geno’s top hit men, grimly finished Vagliente.

For the next several seconds, silence pounded his senses.

I don’t have the guts for this, pleaded Florio.

Dominic leaned over towards Florio; his hand gently squeezed Florio’s arm. Florio, should you refuse this offer, we are instructed to sell off Treponte Enterprises. Over two thousand people will lose their jobs.

Florio turned to his wife, who looked helplessly at him. Ethel found her voice.

Why my husband? He’s a scholar. A fine professor with an unblemished reputation. We like our life. We don’t need this, she hissed at the men.

Lewen riposted succinctly. We need a man of intelligence. As to courage? The Army didn’t decorate Florio on a whim. He turned to Florio. If you don’t have guts, how did you get those nine ambulances through the German lines at Bastogne?

Florio was overwhelmed, trapped with the knowledge they had of him.

Vagliente, ever the historian, said gravely, It’s well known the number of Roman Generals who were scholars.

We need to keep you under surveillance; no matter what, Bart told Ethel gently. He put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Florio looked tiredly at the four men. He hoped he was beginning to understand the logic of Uncle Quattro.

Will Geno try again?, looking at Vagliente.

I am certain he will. He’s tried to take our ships that dock in Seattle. Most of all, he wants to wipe out the Treponte Family. The law can’t help us. We are like two feudal families at war with each other. Don Quattro knew what he was doing? The attorney drew a folder from his ever-present briefcase. Don Quattro had us prepare this journal of Treponte Enterprises. It will be useful for you to understand the history and structure of the organization."

He stood; the other men followed suit. Each gave Florio an engraved card.

Think it over. Discuss it and talk to your son and daughter about the proposal. Then call us.

As they stepped outside, two men walked, two yards apart, from the stretch limo in the parkway.

These are your regular bodyguards, Mario and Nello. They have taken care of you for the past two years, reported Bart. I suggest you get used to them. They are bright, well-read and well-trained.

The two men bowed slightly, murmuring, Don Florio, and walked to a sturdy pickup truck, dim in the dusk in the street.

Florio waved vaguely after the vehicles and walked into the house. Were there guards lurking in the bushes? What was he being trapped into?

He wandered into the kitchen where Ethel was poring over the journals the men had given them. Power? Money? Is this what it is about? he asked aloud. Was this his future, he wondered? He debated the pros and cons. He was well established, respected, a scholar; popular with his students. Taking this offer meant his dropping everything he had ever created. He would be forging into an unmarked wilderness.

And then, the most anxious thought: Was he being set up? How legitimate was Treponte Enterprises?

* * *

Is there no other way? inquired Ethel, anxiously lifting her head from the journals on the table.

Like what? I turn it down, I put two thousand people out of work, and we are in danger.

Ethel looked at her husband. He had worked so hard at the university, and now this. Should she laugh or cry? I don’t like it. Shouldn’t we go to the police?

Florio shook his head. Dear Ethel, she had such faith in the American system. It was no match for the feudal Mafiosi. What do I do about those two thousand people?

He flipped through the Quattro journals. I don’t understand why, after his twenty-five years in Las Vegas, that he never contacted me?

Ethel lifted two of the journals she had been reading. One of these he kept on you since you were seventeen. The other one is devoted to me and the children. She held up another. This one is a meticulous account of the companies he owned around the world.

As meticulous as the Medicis, observed Florio dryly.

He sat at the table with Ethel, flipping pages. He threw in a lure. There’s the Villa west of here. The Villa Treponte, on a hundred acres next to the Red Rock State Park. We’re expected to live on it.

Why must we live under the threat of this man, Geno? asked Ethel tearfully. She wiped her eyes and straightened. "May as