Chapter 40 – Vito's "Just Delivery": Birthday Party Express Line, Sean's Special Price—As Long as There's Friendship
Why didn't you come to me first before you looked for everyone else?
After listening to Vito finish recounting what had happened, Sean asked a question that struck at the heart of the matter: he was Vito's last resort. In other words, Vito didn't want to have any relationship with him other than that of a clothing client.
"What do you want from me? A price? Just name your price, as long as you grant my request!"
Giovanni and Leonard stood behind Sean, like silent sentinels, their faces showing only serious expressions, revealing no emotion or opinion.
In any situation, especially when outsiders are present, subordinates should not utter a single word, not even what they consider a suggestion. Otherwise, it gives the impression that the team isn't unified.
"What request?"
Sean asked what he wanted him to do, and as for Vito asking him to quote a price, Sean didn't care about money.
If you'd do anything just for cash, you might as well bet on sports upsets with 8-to-1 odds!
Vito glanced at Sean and his associates, then lowered his head, walked to Sean's side, and whispered in his ear:
"Kill these two!"
Vito then took a few steps back and stood in front of Sean, waiting for his reply.
Sean shook his head and said:
"Sorry, I can't do that!"
"I can do anything for you, or you can name a price. I'd sell my shop and everything I own to make this right."
Sean offered his own explanation:
"I've known you for nine years, since I first came to LA. This is the first time you've come to me for help; I can't even remember the last time you invited me to your house. Even though my father in Arizona has a suit you made that I gave him."
"To be honest, you never wanted my friendship; you were afraid of getting involved with a police officer like me with a complicated reputation."
Sean's tone and demeanor made him seem like a mob boss, not a police officer at all.
"I don't want trouble!"
For a businessman who adheres to his principles, Vito's approach was indeed understandable. Any normal person, knowing someone with a shady reputation, would instinctively keep their distance; no one would actively seek them out.
Sean expressed his understanding of Vito's position:
"I understand that you are an honest man; you have the protection of the police and the law in your neighborhood, and you don't need someone like me as a friend; but now you come to me and say: Mr. Sean, please help me get justice."
"You didn't treat me as a friend, you even treated me as a contract killer. You asked me to kill someone at my niece's birthday party."
"I just want justice!"
Vito defended himself in the face of Sean's pointed observation.
"No! This isn't justice—your son is still alive."
Vito's expression shifted subtly. Hearing Sean's words, Vito knew that the other man was still willing to help him get justice, so he compromised and said:
"Then let them suffer what my son suffered. How much do I owe you?"
Sean shook his head, exhaled deeply, and slowly stood up:
"Vito... Vito! What have I done to deserve such disrespect? You came to me seeking justice, yet you still treat me like a hired gun who works for money, using cash to insult me," Sean said, waving his hand.
Sean pointed at Vito with his index finger:
"If you consider me a friend and accept my friendship, then the criminals who harmed your son will be punished immediately; because the enemy of an honest, law-abiding citizen like you is my enemy."
Vito swallowed hard, unable to believe that he could get justice for his child without paying any price, simply by accepting the other man's friendship.
"As your friend?"
Vito couldn't believe his ears, so he asked again to confirm.
He then received an affirmative reply from Sean.
Vito opened his arms and embraced Sean, indicating that he accepted the friendship. Now Vito couldn't wait to get home and share this 'good news' with his wife.
After the embrace, Sean put his arm around Vito's shoulder and said earnestly:
"Perhaps one day I will need your help, or perhaps that day will never come, but until then, please accept this justice as a gift of friendship between friends."
Having agreed to the request, and with Vito wanting to go home and share the good news with his wife, Leonard opened the door for him, acting like an assistant, completely unlike his usual boss demeanor. Vito left Sean's room with gratitude.
"Thank you, Mr. Sean!"
After seeing him off, Sean looked at Leonard, who had been standing in the background, and said:
"Let Jeffrey handle this. We're not murderers. We need to be careful and have someone with a cool head do it. Make sure it happens in South Central."
South Central LA has never been very safe. Even shootings and homicides are quite common. The overall crime clearance rate is only 20%.
Where would they find the time, manpower, and resources to investigate a case of assault in a high-crime neighborhood, where the victims have criminal records?
They'll just hastily define it as 'gang retaliation' and close the case!
Society would love to have fewer of these criminals who commit serious crimes like armed robbery!
You're saying that Officer Sean ordered gang members to assault someone?
Sorry!
The world operates on evidence. If you have none, it's slander, and Officer Sean's personal attorney, Giovanni, will sue you for defamation!
It's clear that Sean simply wanted to seek justice for Vito and had no intention of killing anyone.
After all, if anyone could come to Sean asking him to kill someone, he might as well just start his own assassination service.
Furthermore, if Vito wanted Sean to kill someone without any reason or justification, but simply because of a business dispute or commercial disagreement, then Sean would simply 'politely' show him the door.
As for why Sean has operatives who handle dirty work?
As a civil servant in America, Sean has dealt with the justice system many times over the years and knows its flaws intimately!
Sean would bet his badge that there's corruption in America's justice system!
As for Sean's view on current American law:
When faced with injustice, leaving it to the law is a sign of respect for the legal system and an opportunity for justice to be served.
It's not that I have to make you do it; I'm respecting you and letting you handle it!
You won't do it right?
Then I have the ability to solve the problem myself.
Why not?
'Knock knock knock!'
When Vito left the room, Vanessa, having finished organizing, knocked on the door to signal that it was time to cut the cake and that Uncle Sean needed to be there and say a few words.
"OK! I'll be right there!"
The air was filled with sweet, pleasant aromas:
The rich scent of freshly baked chocolate cake, the tempting savory smell of grilled hot dogs and mini burgers, the sweetness of colorful candy, and the fresh grass smell from children running around.
Under a huge rainbow-striped canopy, a long dining table was covered with a tablecloth printed with cartoon unicorns.
Vanessa moved among the guests, a satisfied yet slightly tired smile on her face, as she greeted Sophia's little playmates and their parents.
The two caterers she hired were busy behind the makeshift grill and food station, ensuring a constant supply of food.
The background music was cheerful kids' pop songs, the volume just barely covering the adults' somewhat polite small talk.
The guests were roughly divided into two groups. On the lounge chairs on one side of the lawn sat Sophia's friends' parents, mostly well-dressed middle-class people, holding paper cups of coffee or juice, their eyes following their children, occasionally exchanging parenting tips or neighborhood gossip, in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
In the shade of the patio leading to the backyard, Vanessa's friends and Sean's "special" guests gathered.
Leonard tried to make his large frame less conspicuous, carrying a plate piled high with food and attempting to force a friendly smile at a mother, but the effect was somewhat awkward.
Giovanni, on the other hand, seemed much more at ease. He had taken off his suit jacket, leaving him in just a dress shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up, and was talking quietly with one of Vanessa's close friends, a doctor, with a professional smile on his lips.
Sean himself, like a perfect mediator, stood near the sliding glass door connecting the house and the backyard, holding a glass of ice water, and began his 'speech':
"Thank you all for coming to celebrate Sophia's birthday today. Your presence makes this day special. Vanessa and I are very grateful for everyone taking the time to share this joy. Sophia is also thrilled to play with her friends."
Sean then raised the ice water in his hand:
"With children present, we as adults should set a good example! Let's toast everyone for coming with water instead of wine."
A soft chuckle rippled through the crowd, the glassware glinting in the sunlight. Vanessa was the first to raise her lemonade, the mint leaf on the rim swaying slightly.
"Sean is right—here's to being responsible adults!"
She winked, and the children immediately giggled and imitated the grown-ups, raising their juice boxes high, their colorful straws standing up like little flags.
"Click!"
The photographer quietly pressed the camera shutter.
In the viewfinder, more than thirty raised arms formed a forest, with Sophia's pink dress blooming like a flower in the center.
As the last toast faded into the summer breeze, the excited shouts of children opening party favor bags surged like waves from the other end of the backyard.
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