Better to Die a Hero by Michael Van Dagger Read Free Book Online

entertaining Uncle George with a dead on impersonation of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bryan closed that same door behind him and walked to his car, a used hatchback his mom had given him on his fifteenth birthday. He hopped in, pulled a pill bottle from his pocket, and popped the top. Judging from the amount of powder Nora had mixed in the water, this would last him all summer. The Internet was going to have a new gaming champion. By the time he left for college, he would be a legend.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 5
     
     
    N ew York Journal:
     
    “Hello, I’m Michelle O’Donnell and welcome to tonight's edition of New York Journal. All of New York is intrigued by the person who is the focus of tonight’s top story. Last Monday, that person, John Savini, appeared before a grand jury to answer questions in connection with FBI racketeering allegations. The Journal learned today that the grand jury did not find sufficient evidence to bring formal charges against Mr. Savini. New York Journal was there when the big man descended the steps at Federal Hall.”
    Recorded earlier:
    “Jeff Talbot here on the steps of Federal Hall and any second now John Savini will be coming down these steps to the limousine parked below. Take a look at this crowd will you. A lot of common New Yorkers have turned out to get a glimpse of the man.”
    “And here he comes. He is well surrounded by his own people, as big as he is it's hard to get a good look, but I see he's wearing his signature fedora and sunglasses. Will you listen to that cheering. The crowd seems to love him. You can hear a few of the questions reporters are shouting out, but his people are having none of that. They've made it to the limousine. The show is just about over. Let me ask this young man a question. Sir, I noticed you cheering. Why are you cheering for a suspected criminal?”
    “That is one cool fat guy. More power to him.”
    “And you ma'am. What is your opinion of Mr. Savini?”
    “I think he's wonderfully interesting. He's so big and white. His hair looks so soft and fluffy.”
    “What do think of his hat?”
    “Well, I don't usually like hats on men, but I guess he needs it to keep his scalp from burning.”
    “It appears to this reporter that the characteristics of John Savini, his obesity, his albinism, and his alleged Mafia ties spark the insatiable interest of New Yorkers.”
    Live in the studio:
    “John Savini is certainly an intriguing character. With us in the studio, we have Harold Jones, a law professor at New York State Law School. Professor, maybe you can shed some light as to why the grand jury chose not to bring charges.”
    “First, let me thank you for having me on your show Michelle. Now to answer your question. I believe prosecutors knew they didn't have the evidence for an indictment in the first place. There is a much larger strategy at work here.”
    “And what would that strategy be?”
    “The federal government's plan is to give the top of the mob pyramid as many legal headaches as possible. If you hit the bosses with legal actions as often as possible it disrupts the serenity of the operation and mistakes start being made.”
    “A lot of people believe that the government has their sights on the wrong person.”
    “Well, Michelle, all I can say is that the men and women who devote their careers to disabling organized crime don't put forth this degree of effort without good cause. Obviously they think Savini is a danger that needs to be targeted.”
    “Very good. Thank you for your time and insight Professor Jones.”
     
    *          *          *
     
    Steve watched Bryan from across the cafeteria table and sulked. It was corndog day and that usually carried with it the ritual they’d named “shucking the dog”. It consisted of peeling the bread from the corndog and making jokes about the quality of wiener underneath. Steve peeled one earlier and expose the thinnest, grayest, most wrinkled wiener he