Vincent Morelli #1: Proofs of Crimes: Vincent Morelli, #1

Chapter 1

A Good Life

Vincent or Vinnie to his friends placed the deck of cards he had previously shuffled before in the kitchen table which was covered in a dark green table cloth. He had chosen the color to give the aura to him and his friends that they were seriously playing a game of poker.

He stood up, opened  a small wooden cabinet and took out a bag of chips as well as a bag of peanuts. He opened both and combined them in a big bowl. Next, he went to the living room and took out a box of cigars from his humidor. He placed them on the kitchen table. He made one more look at the preparations he made in the kitchen table and finally decided that he was satisfied with what he has done.

He went back to the living room and exited it via the front door. Outside, in the front of their house, it was already dark. Several tables were scattered and being occupied by his and his family’s guests. They were an odd lot of relatives, friends and clients whom they have close relationships with. It would have been a quiet party if not for the karaoke music that played in the background while a few of his guests sang. Besides this, his father and friends sometimes loudly spoke to each other as they laughed just as loud. But everyone didn’t mind. It was Vincent’s birthday and everyone wanted the party to be a success.

He made his way to a table where two young men were sitting. As he made his way to them, he greeted the guests he passed by who in turn greeted him as well. Ultimately, he reached the two young men who smiled at him as he finally stood in front of them.

There goes the golden boy, grinned the slightly fat Jonathan or Jona as he is called by people close to him.

I see you’ve put on more weight, smiled Vincent as he sat in an empty chair, it doesn’t look good on you, especially since you’re a cop. Why don’t you try to look like Rod, the perfect example of how a cop should look like: well built, immaculately clean, neat, well shaven and smartly dressed?

You’re giving me too much praise, man, smiled Rodney or Rod as he is more commonly known to by close friends, it is you whom we should be talking about. How long has it’s been? Only five years and now you stand to become a very rich man thanks to your business genius. I would gladly trade places with you anytime. I don’t need this stinkin’ badge. I need money, and lots of it.

And why did you and Jona decide to become cops?, laughed Vincent, You should have taken business school just like me. If you have done so, we would have become buddies in university back then.

We don’t have the smarts just like you, smiled Jonathan, you have always known how to make money even when we were still kids.

That’s right, said Rodney as he sipped his beer, you’re a born businessman just like your father. While me and Jona were born to be just workers.

That’s not true, protested Vincent, anyone can become a businessman. There’s no such thing as being born a natural businessman. It is something learned.

Well, you learned it from your father, smiled Rodney, and we learned to be just workers from our fathers. I think you are just one lucky bastard, Vinnie.

Vincent laughed, Nonsense you two, if I’m lucky, so you two shall be.

What the hell do you mean, man?

It just so happens that my business partner and me had just bagged a very big client, although he’s a bit eccentric. He’s asian and prefers doing business the old way. You know, with handshakes and cash.

Hmm, I like the sound of that: cash, grinned Jonathan, but I still don’t see the reason why Rod and I would benefit from all of this.

Shut up, Jona, let Vinnie speak, said Rod to Jonathan before quickly leaning much closer to Vincent.

Well, he’s about to order five million dollars worth of Tuna. He plans to sell them wholesale to the Japanese.

Whoa! Five mil? That’s a lot of money, man. You really did hit pay dirt, Vinnie. But tell me, how are we also gonna hit pay dirt with your client?

Well..., before Vincent can finish his words, he heard the loud words from a microphone, it was his father speaking:

This party would soon be over, folks. But don’t let it finish without us wishing our birthday celebrant a happy birthday. Vinnie my son, where are you?

Vincent abruptly left Rodney and Jonathan and made his way to where the karaoke machine and his father was waiting for him.

He was about a feet away from his father when their guests and his family started singing the Happy Birthday song. The words happy birthday was sung in unison and said over and over again that it made Vincent blush.

Thank you, Thank you everyone. You all made me very happy tonight, not because of your gifts, but with your presence. It fills my heart that you took the time to come celebrate my birthday with me...

Before Vincent can even finish his words, almost everyone in the party clapped non-stop for about a half a minute.

Thank you, Thank you, I know you want to show your appreciation of me, but your claps are making me fuzzy all over, he smiled, now please continue on and enjoy the party before I start kissing you all.

Almost everyone laughed at his joke.

His father hugged him and within a few seconds, his mother and sister had joined them and hugged him as well. Then his heart skipped a beat as a woman approached him. It was  Amanda, his fiancee. She kissed him which made everyone clap once more and holler.

My birthday is complete, he smiled, I have my family, friends, clients and you, Amanda. Nothing can ruin this night for me with you around.

Hush, smooth talker. You’re always in business mode, smiled Amanda, you’re treating me as if I was one of your clients.

I’m not smoothtalking you, love. I’m telling the truth. I know that you’re the kind of woman who can’t be fooled.

Better believe it, Vin. I’m not just one of your clients whom you can run rings around anytime.

The only ring I want around you is a ring around your finger when we get married.

Oh, are you proposing to me, Mr. Morelli?

And what if I am?

You know that we made a promise to each other first that we would first establish our careers before we even think about settling down.

I know, I know, but you’ll be surprised by how my business is going.

I know that you’re making good money with your business, Vin. But are you ready for married life and business?

Okay, Okay, I’ll back down for now, Amanda. But if you must know, I’m ready to take you to the altar anytime anywhere you wish it, especially now that I’ve landed a very big client.

There you go again with your business talk, Vin. Let’s just celebrate your birthday first.

The couple joined his family in their table. Within minutes, they were happily talking with each other while enjoying their delicious food and refreshing drinks. They were still happily talking when Amanda accidentally gazed at the table where Rodney and Jonathan were at. Vincent noticed the sudden change of expression in his fiancee’s face. He looked at the direction where Rodney and Jonathan were sitting.

Rodney still giving you the looks?, he frowned, Has he said anything to you at all?

Nothing as always, he would just give me a quick gaze and then face the other way, said Amanda as she forced a smile, it’s not like I don’t understand him. You know that we were a thing before you and I.

Don’t worry, smiled Vincent, I understand the situation. He still has feelings for you. Otherwise, he would have gotten another woman already. I know that since you, he had already a string of other women, but none lasted long. I guess, deep in his mind, he’s still looking for someone just like you.

That’s what I like about you, love. You have always been an understanding and caring person, especially to your family and friends.

And don’t forget with my love too, laughed Vincent suddenly, don’t forget I’m always understanding to you.

Both of them laughed.

Then Amanda suddenly became serious, But seriously honey, I would have never considered Rodney over you. I just couldn’t imagine being married to someone who works in such a dangerous occupation. He, himself doesn’t like being a cop. When we were together before, he would always complain how badly cops are being paid for such a dangerous job. I’m not into money, myself, but I believe I earn more than Rodney or Jonathan. So, in a way, I understand him.

Well, I believe that at least, Rod and Jona have a more prestigious job, contested Vincent, people respect and fear the police.

You mean hate and disrespect the police, said Amanda seriously, the police these days have such a bad public image that sometimes they are even feared worst than criminals themselves.

Poor Rod and Jona, but at least I’ll be able to help them earn extra, gleefully smiled Vincent.

How so?

Well, I landed a big client, he’s going to pay me millions for my tuna contracts. If everything goes through, I’ll become a certified millionaire soon.

You arrogant bastard, you, she laughed, you mean that your fish business would actually make you a millionaire?

Don’t call it fish business, honey. I’m in the tuna business. Tunas are the Rolls Royce of fishes. Some tunas have sold for over a million dollars overseas, like in Japan.

Really? I never guessed that your fishes... sorry, tuna are worth that much kind of money. Who would have guessed that smelly fishes can cost a lot of money.

That’s where you’re wrong, honey. I don’t really deal with the actual tuna. I just deal with the contracts.

I know that you’ve explained it to me for a million times already, but I still don’t get your business.

Okay, honey. I’ll explain it one more time and hope that you’ll finally understand it and don’t forget it.

Okay, love, I’m listening, said Amanda as she sipped her glass of wine.

Tuna fishermen catches the fish and the buyers buy it from them. These buyers then sell it to the final consumers of the tuna which could be restaurant owners or tuna meat sellers. Well, me and my partner are one of these tuna buyers who buy it from other tuna buyers. The only difference between us and them is the fact that we also know of other buyers who are willing to pay a much higher price but don’t want to deal direct with other lower level buyers.

Amanda smiled, So, it’s levels after levels of buyers who all take a percentage off the final price of the tuna. Am I correct?

Precisely, you’re correct. I and my buyer are so high in the totem pole of buyers that we get to resell the tuna to the really rich buyers. Other lower level buyers don’t have access or know of our rich clients. This is our business advantage.

Simple, but highly profitable, that’s how I see your business, you’re like a banker only with fishes.

Both of them laughed.

Both of them continued talking and enjoying their food and drinks. Sometimes guests would approach Vincent and after some pleasantries, would exchange calling cards with him. The party went on and everyone continued to celebrate. After a few hours, the party started to wind down and the guests started leaving. Amanda also left but not before giving her goodbye kiss to Vincent and saying her goodbyes to his family. After sometime, there were just so few guests left and it was so late at night that everyone decided to continue on with the party in the living room. The few guests that remained were mostly relatives and friends of the family who talked to each other while drinking. They were also entertained by the Netflix movies showing in the big television.

After a while, the doorbell rang and he let in three people. One was an asian looking short man, a tall and slightly fat asian man and a well dressed man. The well dressed man was his business partner, Rupert, who looked out of place in the party because everyone in the party was dressed casually including the two asian men, while he looked like an investment banker who just had a formal contract signing with other bankers. But Rupert doesn’t seem to mind himself being out of place for the occasion. It was as if he savored every moment that everyone’s attention was focused on him.

He straightened his expensive tie, Sorry for being so late, Vincent, but I just showed Mr. Cheng some of the investment properties I was selling.

Oh my god, Rupert, I hope you didn’t inconvenience Mr. Cheng, frowned Vincent.

Oh no, not at all, smiled the short man as he waved his hand to signal his protest, Rupert was just showing me other businesses that he’s involved with. He’s a hardworker just like me, I like that.

Thank you, Mr. Cheng. Please come in to our humble house. This is actually not my house. It’s my parent’s house. I hope you would enjoy it here.

Why are you still living with your parents, Vincent? Don’t you have your own house?

Well, if I get married, I’ll definitely stay in my own house. But right now, I just want to be with my parents and sister so I can look after them.

You’re a good son and brother, Vincent. I never expected that from you. Although I assumed it long ago that you are a respectable person.

Vincent doesn’t know how his family guessed that Mr. Cheng was an important person, but maybe through his bodyguard which means that he was either a person of importance or of tremendous wealth. But his family introduced themselves to Mr. Cheng and offered to serve him food and drinks. In just a short time, Mr. Cheng, him, his family, and Rupert were all happily dining in the center of the living room which other guests vacated out of courtesy.

Are you enjoying your food, Mr. Cheng?, said Vincent in a slightly worried tone.

Yes, Vincent, smiled Mr. Cheng, can I assume that it was your mother’s cooking?

How did you guess, Mr. Cheng?

It was easy, I know of a lot of restaurants and food businesses in the area, but I have never tasted anything quite like your mother’s cooking. You’re a lucky man who has a mother that cooks great.

Rupert interrupted, I also know of other great restaurants in the city, Mr. Cheng. Perhaps you might want me to take you there sometime?

No need to, Rupert. I’m in the food business and I’ve tasted almost all the food in the city. What I want to taste is home cooking like what Vincent’s mother does. Perhaps, she can also give me her recipes and cooking secrets.

No problem, Mr. Cheng, smiled Vincent, my mother would be more than happy to grant your wish.

They talked and dined for an hour or so before Mr. Cheng prepared to depart:

I’m sorry, Vincent, thanks for the excellent meal but I have to go. I have other business to attend to.

Want me to come with you on your way to business, Mr. Cheng?, interrupted Rupert.

I’m sorry, Rupert, but here is where we part ways. I’ve seen and heard what I wanted to know and I’m satisfied already, I think Vincent is a honorable businessperson and I’m happy to do business with him.

After Mr. Cheng left together with his bodyguard, Vincent, Rupert, and Vincent’s family sighed with relief.

I never knew how thorough your client can be, said Vincent’s father, he even asked questions about my past life as a businessperson. I’m just lucky I have nothing to hide. But just how rich is this Mr. Cheng, Vincent?

Well, he is an immigrant from China, first generation, said Vincent, I believe he was already rich in China but wanted his family to be here in America, so he brought his family and all his businesses here in the US. He has a diversified food business and is rumored to be a multimillionaire. He might be driving around in a Toyota SUV, but he can definitely afford to pay for bodyguards.

Well, if he can afford a bodyguard, son, I’ll guess he’s rich enough to be your client, laughed his father, besides, he looks like a decent person and a good businessman.

Well, father, if he becomes our client, we’ll be very rich too.

He and his father laughed. After sometime, his mother and sister understood what he meant and giggled.

After a few more minutes, all their guests have left except for Rupert, Rodney and Jonathan. But his family already expected this, it was a Saturday night after all and Vincent, Rupert, Rodney and Jonathan usually always spent their Saturday nights playing poker in the kitchen of Vincent’s parents.

All of them helped Vincent’s family clean up and after the house has been cleaned, Vincent’s family retired for the night. Vincent and his group then went to the kitchen, grabbed beers from the fridge and started drinking while smoking cigars. After a few minutes of idle talk while they relaxed, they started to play poker. After half an hour of poker, Vincent and Rodney ended up winning the most, but after an hour have passed, it was clear that Vincent was slowly edging everyone else in terms of winning.

Talk about luck of the devil, said Rupert, you’re not only a good businessman but a good poker player as well.

Nah, I’m not, smiled Vincent as he puffed his cigar, it’s just my night to win today.

No, it’s not true, Vincent, said Rodney in a slightly harsh voice, you got the girl, you got the money, and you got the business. You truly have it all.

Vincent noticed that the tone of Rodney voice had an air of irritation about it, his face also bore signs of anger. Vincent can’t tell if Rodney was angry or jealous of him. He tried to defuse the situation:

Well, I guess that Rupert and me just got lucky. It was more down to luck than anything else. I just happened to stumble on a bit of luck. Anyway, friends can share their luck right?

What do you mean?, smirked Rodney, Are you gonna make us lucky too?

Well, I can give you a bit of the money our client would be paying us.

You mean, Mr. Cheng?, quizzed Jonathan.

Yes, Jona, how did you know?

Rodney and I have overheard. Remember, we’re cops so we know how to get information like eavesdropping.

So, how are you gonna share your wealth with us, Vinnie?, asked Rodney whose mood seems to have changed for the better.

I’ll give you 5 grand each if you escort Mr. Cheng and his bodyguard as he hands out the money to me.

But you’re getting 5 mil from Mr. Cheng, correct, Vinnie?, grinned Rodney, How come Jona and me are only getting 5 grand each?

Well, Rodney, it’s not like I’m getting 5 mil as pure profit from Mr. Cheng. Most of the 5 mil would be used to pay for business expenses and to pay for the people who would be supplying me with the tuna.