The news in the following days spoke only of the murders of Sid “The Kid” Valentino, and Francis “Frankie” Dello Russo, both with known mob connections. We put the pieces together and realized those goons that showed up at the bar’s parking lot asking for him really were New York mobsters, screwed over by Frankie, while he was busy trying to cover up the fact that he murdered Sid the Kid, and the finger he lost in the scuffle.
But we were dying to find out more...
Chapter 63
Bye
That summer ended like all summers do, suddenly and without warning. One minute you’re living the life of Riley; the next, whack, somebody throws a switch and the party comes to a screeching stop. Whiplash. Bye. See Ya. Reality awaits.
It still makes me want to throw up.
Regrettably, looking back, I don’t recall ever saying goodbye to anyone. Not a friend, or neighbor, or staff member, or girlfriend. Not a single soul over all those amazing summers, including the one that bonded us for life. I know I had to have said some, right? I certainly wasn’t a rude kid, arrogant or ill mannered and knew perfectly well how to manage a proper adios; yet there it is staring back at me. No so-long. No fair-well. No see-ya-later-alligator. No random high-five. We just left. Vanished.
But I think I know why:
We didn’t want it to end.
Ever.
And moreso,
We were afraid it would.
So despite the craziness that was bestowed upon us and unpredictable sets of one-in-a-million circumstances which brought our brotherhood uniquely close together, bonded for life with adventures like no other, the summer was over.
We came. We built The Hut. We fought Memorial. We bagged a murderer. We got the girls. We went home.
And it was the best damn summer we’d ever have. It was in fact,
The Greatest Summer Ever.
Well, almost!
Chapter 64
Report
Late in September, my parents received a phone call from Ms. Rochelle Vargas. She wanted to know how I was “recovering” from the “traumatic and unfortunate ordeal” at Mashnee. She was also calling to thank me. In a frantic series of poorly acted pantomimes, I relayed through my mother that I was just fine and (greatly!) appreciated her concern and interest (would she like to do an in-person interview?!).
Ms. Vargas told my mom she was airing an in-depth expose on WDET TV Detroit, the following week, to be fed live to the Boston stations, regarding the criminal and mobster activities and murders on Mashnee Island over the summer.
She assured my mother none of the teens would be mentioned by name, or required to testify, including me, but would be gratefully acknowledged for helping to discover the tragic conspiracy before the police could.
There were arrests and investigations. Statement and interviews. Homicide detectives identified the participants and pieced together the crimes.
The following week we gathered around our Magnavox console TV in our living room to watch the “Special News Report.” We were nervous and excited. My mother even made popcorn, just like at the movies! My dad though looked a little too serious and ready to ground me at a moment’s notice. I was worried.
It was a national broadcast. Rochelle looked different, she had her hair all tied back in a tight bun and was wearing a white frilly top and navy blue blazer. Still very pretty, but super professional.
Breaking News…This Just In…
Our favorite reporter was live. The camera zoomed in.
“In a tale of embezzlement, hush money, assassins and conspiracy, the case of the Mashnee Island Murders, dubbed ‘Murders by the Sea,’ has been solved. Thanks to the courageous actions of a group of resourceful Island teenagers, a murder suspect has been brought to justice.
“Authorities say that Mashnee Island bartender, Benjamin T. Riley, age 52, from Brockton, Massachusetts, has been charged with second-degree murder for the brutal stabbing death of Franklin P. Dello Russo, age 56, from Bronx, New York. Mr. Dello Russo, who went by ‘Frankie,’ was renting a cottage on Mashnee Island where the lethal crime took place.
“Investigators outlined a string of events leading up to the fateful night.”
“Bartender Riley stated to police detectives that he witnessed Dello Russo commit the grisly bludgeoning murder of Sidney ‘Sid the Kid’ Valentino, age 44, from Manhattan, in a scuffle that also resulted in the amputation of Dello Russo’s pinky finger. Both murder victims, Dello Russo and Valentino, were known members of the notorious Gambino Mafia Family, each possessing lengthy criminal records and a history of violence.
“It is believed that Valentino came to Mashnee Island to hunt down the man responsible for stealing a large sum of money from The Gambino Family, a source indicates upward of $200,000, in hopes of collecting the hefty reward money the Gambino’s reportedly offered. Instead, Valentino wound up dead. After an extensive search, the stolen money was later recovered by police investigators on a Mashnee beach buried behind a makeshift beach shack.
“Further information reveals that the accused, Mr. Riley, dubbed ‘Barkeep Ben,’ accepted a large sum of money from Mr. Dello Russo in exchange for his silence. It is believed that Riley then became anxious and demanded additional hush money from Dello Russo. Indications suggest that instead of paying the bartender more hush money; Dello Russo hired an assassin to kill him.
“Police believe when Bartender Riley discovered the conspiracy to take his life, he took matters into his own hands, stabbing Dello Russo to death.”
“In related news, investigators are still searching for the other potential assailant, possibly a professional hired hit man who may have been hiding inside the cottage and suffered injuries. Police confirmed a woman’s wig and unidentified blood stains were found at the scene. A search of the Mashnee cottage failed to reveal any other persons of interest.
“Police sources acknowledge without the help of the island’s teens, the brutal crimes may never have been solved.”
My sister and I high-fived!
“That’s the full report from WDET TV, Detroit. We will keep you informed as to any updates. I’m Rochelle Vargas signing off, and now back to Roger Fisher at our sister station, WBZ-TV, Boston. Thank you for your attention.”
Although she never mentioned our names, being minors and all, we knew who had saved the day, and everyone on the island knew it too. Although our names would never go down in euphony, our reputations certainly would!
When it was all said and done, our special little island had changed. How could it not?
