War Against the Mafia by Don Pendleton Read Free Book Online Page B

because it was a
mass
movement."
    "No, I didn't know that," Bolan admitted.
    "I'll bet you didn't know that 'Mafia' translates back to mean 'Matthew.' Matthew means 'brave, bold.' It had to be a secret society because it was going up against the establishment, see, the establishment of those olden times. There was tyranny, see, and all the money was divided up between the rich bastards, the noblemen, the aristocracy. All the laws were rigged to keep the poor people poor and the rich people rich. See? That's how all laws got started. Everywhere, not just in Italy and Sicily. Laws were written to protect the rich bastards, see. So these bold, brave guys got together in a resistance movement. They set up the Mafia, and it's been nip and tuck ever since." "Hippies," Bolan grunted. "What?"
    "Early Italian hippies," Bolan said, grinning. "What were they demonstrating for-a pizza in every pot?"
    Turrin's face clouded. "I don't think I like your sense of humor. I'm being serious. The Mafia is a very democratic idea."
    "Okay, I'll be serious," Bolan replied. "But-uh-what's the moral of the thing, Leo? I mean, maybe a hundred years ago, in Italy or Sicily or wherever it was-okay, I can see the picture. But not over here. Not now. I mean, there
is
a democracy in this country. A
legal
democracy."
    Turrin laughed lustily. "Shit!" he guffawed. "Don't let yourself get brainwashed. Things haven't changed that much. The rich still get richer while the poor get poorer. There's still a place here for the bold and the brave."
    "Don't get me wrong," Bolan said. "I'm not arguing against the organization-hell, I'm part of it now. I just like to see things like they really are."
    "Then see them like they really are. Don't get to feeling like a lousy criminal. You're the guy said you didn't have a dime to your name. Over there getting your ass shot off to protect the rich bastard's riches. See it like it is, Sarge. Didn't Seymour say he was starting you at two-fifty a week? Hell-does that sound like the poor getting poorer?"
    The sergeant grinned. "Just call me Bolan the Bold, Captain."
    Turrin turned him a warm gaze. "By Jesus, you'n me are gonna get along all right, Sarge-yes sir,
all
right."
    "What is your operation, Leo?" Bolan wanted to know.
    "Girls." He grinned delightedly.
    Bolan felt suddenly light-headed. "Girls?" he echoed.
    "Girls. All kinds'f girls. Hostess girls, party girls, call girls, house girls, street girls. Name your price range and I got just the girl for you."
    "And they're all bold and brave too, eh?" Bolan asked, his tongue feeling strange and thick in his mouth.
    "Betcher ass they are. You work for the organization, the organization works for you. We're spreading the riches around, see."
    Bolan relaxed into the soft upholstery and closed his eyes. "Well, I guess that's one way of looking at it," he said quietly. He was thinking of another Bolan, and wondering just how brave she'd been, in there among the bold.

7 - The Girl Watchers
    Bolan was being worked into the routine that Turrin called "girl-watching." He had been outfitted in expensive civilian clothes and provided with a snub-nosed.32 calibre pistol, a license to carry same, and a shoulder-holster with a snap-out feature to carry it in. The clothing and the hardware had come from Bolan's future earnings; the gun license had appeared through some magical means wholly unknown to Bolan.
    "It's legal, it's legal," Turrin assured him. "It ain't broadcasted, but it's legal, and if the question is ever raised about you carrying a gun, they'll find your license all duly recorded and all that jazz. So don't worry about it. We take care of those little details. Nobody gets nothing on the organization."
    Turrin was operating behind a front called "Escorts Unlimited." The offices were swank and convincing and the "social" rooms of the "clubhouse" beyond reproach. He had a genuine computer match-making service, complete with certified programmer and staff.
    "We make a little off