AM
American Scandal
Wondery
The Murder of Israel Greenwald
From Mafia Cops | The Thin Blue Line | 1 — Jun 2, 2026
Mafia Cops | The Thin Blue Line | 1 — Jun 2, 2026 — starts at 0:00
American Scandal uses dramatizations that are based on true events Some elements, including dialogue might be invented, but everything is based on historical research It's a few hours before dawn on a winter's night in nineteen fifty nine in rural Connecticut That twentyty five year old Burton Kaplan drives along a desolate country road snowflakes drift through the beam of his headlights He hasn't seen another car for miles, which is just as well because there's a dead body in his trunk Kaplan doesn't know who the man is or why he was killed All he knows is that he has to get rid of him Kaplin has a gambling problem He borrowed large sums of money from an ex cop back in Brooklyn And now that ex cop expects a favor Kaplan has been told to take the body to someone who might help him bury it He's agreed, of course, otherwise he knows he might be the one in the trunk next time Kaplan checks his directions, then turns off the main road onto a dirt track Through the trees ahead, you can see a pair of headlines As he gets closer, Kaplan spots a man leaning against a car watching him approach He's dressed in a thick sheepskin coat and leather gloves is carrying a shovel. As Kaplin parks his car and gets out, the man walks over. Well, ye, he's in the back Kaplan pops the trunk. The body is wrapped in gray plastic sheeting and tied up with duct tape. The man gives a grunt to satisfaction. All right, this way. He motions for Kaplin to follow him. The snow is so deep here that it spills over the top of Kaplin's boots. Thankfully, the man doesn't go far before he stops and hands Kaplin the shovel. All right, this'll do. You want me to? Yeah, Dig. Right, of course. The man lights a cigarette watches as Kaplan gets to work. Kaplan quickly clears the snow, but when he tries to dig into the dirt below He finds that the earth is frozen solid. Kaplin puts his foot on the shovel and presses down with all his weight The blade barely scratches the surface. Only a thin layer of icy soil comes loose. Kaplin turns to the man. It's no use, it's rock hard. The man flicks away his cigarette with a scow. Give it to me. The man takes the shovel, but he doesn't make any more progress than Kaplin. and he quickly tosses the shovel aside in frustration Kaplin chewes his lip. It's gonna be dawn soon. I need to get back. You think this is my problem? Well, I didn't mean that. becauseuse if I'm not mistaken, that body iss still in the trunk of your car. Well, what are we gonna do then? The man lights another cigarette and then looks at Kaplin. You're gonna drive to Long Island Sound. I'll follow him my car. We'll find a spot by the water that's nice and quiet and we'll dump the body there Kathlyine hesitates. He thought he was done carting around a body. The man frowns. You got a problem with that? Do I need to tell our friend that you've not been cooperative? No, no, it's not a problem. Long Island sound it is. let's get going. Sun's coming up. Burton Kaplan trudges back to his car. As he starts the engine and backs up, he feels the weight and the trunk shift again. He can't understand how his life has come to this. It started with just a few bets, and now he's an accessory to murder. But as he drives back down the dirt track toward the road, Kaplan makes a bow to himself. When this is all over He's gonna quit gambling. He'll work off his dets, and he'll never do a deal with a dirty cop again This message comes from Betterment. Dan Egan, VP of Behavioral Finance and Investing, explains how Betmment's tax impact preview tool can help you make smarter investment decisions. Tax imppact prereview is a preview of what taxes you would owe if you sold out of a position today. 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The Capital One Venture X businessiness card. What's in your wallet? Term supply, see capital onene. com for details. From Audible Originals, I'm Lindsey Graham This is American scandal For most of the twentieth century, organized crime in New York was dominated by the so called Fi families. These criminal gangs divided the city into different territories, which they ruled through violence, coercion, and bribery Bootlegging alcohol during prohibition, to loan sharking, prostitution and illegal gambling, the mafia's activities earn them plenty of attention from the authorities they had their ways around the law. They bought off judges, intimidated juries, and sometimes they corrupted the police themselves perfect recruits for the mo To most people, New York's boys and blue were beyond reproach, and when one of them was accused of a crime, they often closed ranks to protect each other. But while the public and their peers shielded the police from criticism For the right prize, corrupt officers could make inconvenient investigations vanish, tip criminals off to surveillance, and even act as private executioners Two cops in particular proved more valuable to the New York mafia than any others In the nineteen eighties, partners in crime, Louis Eppolito and Stephen Caracapa betrayed their oaths of public service to make hundreds of thousands of dollars working with the mob. But not all law enforcement was as corrupt or as willing to look the other way The dogged investigation of a few determined officers would eventually unmask these mafia cops and expose two of the most decorated officers in NYPD history as little more than hitmen for the mob This is episode one a thin blue line. It's the summer of nineteen sixty nine at the New York Police Academy in Manhattan Arthur Hearnes opens the door to a small windowless interview room. puts his papers down on the metal desk and sits on one of the hard wooden chairs on either side and waits He's not questioning suspects today. He's talking to trainee cops as part of their background and character checks Barns is an investigator with the NYPD's personnel screening unit And it's a big job Crime in the United States is on the rise, and the federal government has increased funding for police departments across the country As a result, the NYPD class of nineteen sixty nine is the largest in its history Barns looks over his notes His next appointment is with twenty six year old Stephven Karakapa. But from what he reads, Hearns can already tell that he's not going to like Karacops Nine years ago, at the age of seventeen, Karacapa was arrested for burglarizing a warehouse on Staten Island. He stole more than a thousand dollars worth of construction materials and tried to sell them on the black market Karakapa was caught and sentenced to probation So Harnes frowns He knows teenagers do stupid things This was no high school prank The warehouse burglary looked like a professional job Karacapa either knew what he was doing or was working with someone who did. Either way, it doesn't speak highly of his character There's a knock on the door, and Hearnes puts down the file Karac Capa steps inside He's slender, almost gaunt With thick dark hair and an intense gaze Hearn shakes his hand and tells the young man to sit down Karacapa scrapes back the other chair and takes a seat He's a few years older than some of the other recruits. And he tells Hearns that he spent three years in the US. Army in Vietnam. Since he was discharged, he's been living at home with his parents on Staten Island. Hearns has to ask Karacapa about the burglary and the young man shifts in his seat His answers are evasive and he doesn't strike Hearns as especially remorseful about his criminal past So by the time the interview is over, Arthur Hearnes is convinced that Karacapa is not a man who should be in uniform But his recommendation that Karacapa be dismissed from the police accademy is later overruled by a supervising officer. Earns doesn never learn why Maybe Karacapa knows someone further up the food chain who put in the good word. Or perhaps the city is just so desperate for new officers that even former criminals are acceptable. Either way, Stehven Karacapa is allowed to continue in the force And it's while he's enrolled at the police academy that Karacapa meets another trainee cop named Lewis Epolito They bond over their shared Italian background, but the two young men otherwise couldn't be more different while the slender Karacapa is quiet and smart The heavyet Epolito is loud and brash He's into bodybuilding and talks openly about his extensive family connections to the mob Bolito's uncle and father were well known gangsters That isn't so unusual in the NYPD A lot of recruits come from the same working class neighborhoods the Mafia operates in But it's unusual for cops to brag about their ties to mobsters the way Epolito does And despite strict rules against associating with criminals, he keeps talking to known local gangsters Alolito's pedigree raises a few eyebrows on the fource, but time and time again, the NYPD chooses to look the other way So Eppolito's career in law enforcement goes on And in the late nineteen seventies, he's assigned to the Brooklyn Robbery squad He's joined there by his old academy friend, Stephen Karakapa Soon though, it's not just police work that keeps the pair occupied. One man complains that Epolito and Caracapa handcuffed him and stole three hundred dollars from his wallet Epolito is accused of stealing jewelry from the scene of a crime Karac Kapa is accused of dealing drugs. but none of the claims is upheld It's usually Epolo or Karacaapa's word against the civilians The NYPD is generally inclined to believe its own over the public And without hard evidence or corroborating witnesses, the complaints against the two men are all dismissed. Alolito and Karacapa are left free to continue where they left off And in the late nineteen seventies, Karacapa moves to the narconic squad He's part of a covert task force infiltrating a network of drug traffickers who are flooding New York with cocaine Going undercover means sampling the merchandise or risk raising suspicions Karac Coppa soon develops a drug problem His addiction steadily gets worse, and he even suffers a near fatal overdose after the sudden death of his baby daughter Despite all his troubles, he still has a reputation as a smart and confident officer So out of sympathy, he's taken off narconics and offered a place on the major Kase squad It's one of the most sought after jobs in the NYPD The major K squad has the power to take over any active homicide investigation in this city. And this means Kara Kapa can now access confidential intelligence on just about any case he wants That's information he and Luispolito knows certain people will pay handsomely for But they need to get the right intermediary Epolito turns to his cousin, Frank Centora Jr., who has some connections to the mafia. He tells the two detectives that he knows someone from his time in prison who might be able to help His name is Burton Kaplan Since he threw the dead body into Long Island Sound back in nineteen sixty nine Kaplin has managed to quit gambling he hasn't been able to stay on the straight and narrow He recently finished a two year stint in Allenwood Federal Penitentiary after being convicted for manufacturing qualutes That's where he met Santora They were doormates After Kaplan's release in nineteen eighty three, he opened a clothing store and promised his family he'd finally learn from his mistakes Then Kaplan started selling imitation designer clothes, and his shady business dealings brought him into contact with senior figures in the New York mafia So Eolito and Karacampa think Kaplan sounds perfect Santorres sets up a meeting at his home in Brooklyn Kaplan is already there when Epolito shows up And in Appoito's eyes, Kathlyine doesn't look much like a wise guy He's about fifty and has stick square glasses and a receding hairline But if Santora vouches for him good enough for Appolito Once the men exchanged greetings, Epolito takes off his jacket gold chains rattling around his neck. He shows Kathlyine and Santora a rip in the underarm of his shirt He tore the seam while roughing a guy up And he says things like that happen a lot Thanks to his build, either his jacket is too tight or his pants are too loose, and sadly, police salaries just don't stretch to custom tailoring Kaplin takes the hint He tells Epolito that he happens to own a clothing store Appolito should stop by sometime and get fitted properly for a new suit, free of charge, of course Epholito grins It looks like he and Kaplin are going get along. And it's true it's hard to get rich while being a cop The saying goes a crime pays, but police work doesn't And a lot of NYPD officers work overtime to supplement their income or take second or even third jobs to make ends meet But there are plenty of ways for less scrupulous cops to make money as well. It's an open secret in the department that many officers take bribes Others steal drugs from evidence lockers and sell them back on the streets they seize them from. But what Epolito and Caracapa are doing is far rarer than drugs potentially even more valuable But their trade in information isn't without risks And sometimes they can't help but leave a trail Just before dawn on march sixteenth, nineteen eighty four The FBI launches a raid on a property in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. It's the oculent home of Rosario Gambino of the Gambino Crime family The FBI has been building a case against him for months, and now that they have solid proof of him trying to sell forty kilos of heroin It's time to bring a man An FBI agent hammers on the door. Open up, FBI The house is silent, though, and no one comes to the door. The agent turns and gives a signal to the arrest team. Two plain cllothes officers wearing body armor step forward with a battering ram. The wood splinters around the lock. The arrest team then kicks the door down and storms into the hallway beyond The agent hangs back and waits for the all clear. Farther down the street, beyond the FBI perimeter, lights are coming on in neighboring houses, and it won't be long before there'll be people on their doorsteps wondering what's going on. Hopefully, the FBI will be finished by that And after a few more moments, the agent's partner appears in the doorway. All right, we got him to cuffing him now. house clear The agent hurries inside. He doesn't bother to wipe his shoes and trails mud across the gleaming floor, and his partner grins. Oh, you're ruining Rosario's nice shiny floors. You wantanna talk to him? he's in the kitchen. No, he won't have anything to say to us. Let's take a look around The agent heads to the stairs, which sweep around a gleaming chandelier. His partner gives a low whistle. How much you think that set him back? More than we make in a year. Ever think we're in the wrong business The agent heads toward the master bedroom. The room is huge with deep piled carpet and a television mounted on the wall. The FBI agent looks around. All right, check the closet. I'll take the bathroom. The agent opens cabinets and starts searching through the various medicines and ointments. He's just peering at a prescription to label on a bottle of pills when his colleague calls from the next room Hey, you're gonna want to take a look at this The agent replaces the bills and heads back to the bedroom. Yeah what' you got? Well, I found a stack of a hundred dollars bills and this It's a pile of photocopied documents, and there's a crest stamped on top that the agent recognizes immediately. Well these are NYPD files. Yeah. He's got surveillance reports here, suspect lists, internal briefing materials. Oh geez. I know. How did Gambino get his hands on this The thirty six documents found in Rosario Gambino's bedroom contain detailed intelligence about ongoing police investigations. It's information that should only be available to law enforcement somehow it had made its way into the bedroom of a mafia boss To the FBI agents, it's immediately clear what's going on These files weren't stolen or misplaced. Someone leaked this information to Gamino That means the NYPD has a rant Whether you're exploring your current fascinations or discovering new ones, Audible has all the stories that'll introduce you to your most fascinating self. Tap into a whole new world of heated conversations with a Sucy romantasy series. Become your friend group's sci fi expert on the latest blockbuster book to screen adaptation Or find unexpected reveals through the exclusive episodes of a viral true crime podcast. However you choose to listen, Audible keeps you fascinated, so you can be just as fascinating. All in one easy app, with plans now starting at eight doll ninety nine cents, you'll get access to over one million audio books and podcasts, including trending bestsellers the hottest new releases and exclusive podcasts you won't find anywhere else. Sign up now to become a member and get any audio book every month Plus exclusive podcasts. plans now start at eight dollars ninety nineents Be fascinated, be fascinating. I'm Leon Nfo bestest known as the co creator of Slowburn and Fiasco. I had of course heard of O fans, but always with a distant and quiet skepticism A silent judgment, you might say Who is actually using this platform? U I am I'm Oly Fans creator and comedian, Gracie Kanan. I work from home now. I'm on Oly fans. and In case you guys don't know what Only Fans is, ask your husband. My journalistic curiosity got the best of me when I found out that my own sister had started an OnlyFans account. I'm not his sister, just to clarify. 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Start your Audible subscription in the Audible app or on Apple podcasts The discovery of confidential police files at the home of a mafia boss demands an immediate investigation BI sends the photocopies to be tested for fingerprints. and they soon find a match to a thirty six year old New York police detective Named Louis Eppolito He seems a likely suspect He has known family connections to organized crime and a long list of complaints against him as an officer He even looks like a Brooklyn mobster with slick back hair and gaudy rings on his fingers So the FBI takes its evidence to NYPD's internal affairs the department responsible for investigating misconduct by NYPD officers And when the team at Internal Affairs looks into the matter, they find more evidence against Louis Epolito They established that the photocopies were made on the machine at the sixty second prerecinct, the station where Epolito works. And they discovered that in december nineteen eighty three, Epolito traveled to the intntelligence Division in downtown Brooklyn without his superior's permission And While he was there, he requested access to Rosario Gambino's files, even though he wasn't working a case involving Gambino at the time So the internal affairs team decides to bring Epolito in for questions But when confronted with what appears to be strong evidence Bito swears, he's innocent He claims that he saw a wanted poster for Rosario Gambino on the wall told a detective in the intntelligence Division that he'd seen Gambino in Brooklyn the week before The detective then gave Epolito the Gambino files to take back to the sixty second precinct Bito insists that he didn't make the photocopies But he can't account for how they ended up with his fingerprints on them forty miles away in Rosario Gambino's bedroom. Remarkably, it's decided by prosecutors that there isn't enough evidence to charge Epolito with a crime The team at Internal Affairs still doesn't buy his version of events, and he's suspended without pay while his conduct is investigated further So on april fourth, nineteen eighty five Lewis Eppolito was called before the deputy commommissioner for a disciplinary hearing The commissioner's job is to ensure departmental integrity and uphold ethical standards within the NYPD But he has limited powers, and as the hearing gets underway He quickly becomes frustrated with a hand he's been dealt Contrary to usual procedure, the department's lawyers declined to call any witnesses or even cross examine the defendant So the deputy commissioner has to decide the case based on one fact alone. that Epolito's fingerprints were found on the leaked files. It seems absurd to the deputy commommissioner It's like the department is trying to undermine its own case I can't do anything about it So he sighs and asks F Bolito if he would like to say anything in his defense before a decision is made Alolito gets to his feet He tells the room that he's been unfairly signled out because his family has ties to the mafia That's not something he can change But he says he shouldn't be judged for the mistakes of others insists that he's true blue He's been a cop for over fifteen years and claims he's the eleventh most decorated officer in the history of the force. Bito concludes his speech by telling the room that I've never had anybody accuse me of something. He then thanks the deputy commommissioner for his time and sits back down the deputy commommissioner is not convinced by Appolito's speech Still, he doesn't feel he has any choice but to clear him No one disputes thatpolito's fingerprints were on the files found in Rosario Gambino's bedroom But no evidence has been presented at the hearing that conclusively proves that he was the one who leaked them. So to the frustration of the investigators at internal affairs chararges against Epppolito are officially declared unsubstantiated Epolito is allowed to return to his work as a police officer in Brooklyn And he and Stephven Karacapa are back in business. But while Epolito has gotten himself out of hot water Burton Caplan has found himself in trouble yet again His clothing business is booming. He has expanded to a second store and he's started selling to big chains like Macy's and Nordstrom But even this success doesn't seem to be enough for Kaplin He's drawn deeper and deeper into the criminal underworld and strikes up a close relationship with Anthony Gaspipe Casso, a senior man in the Luese Cime family. And toward the end of nineteen eighty five, Casso comes to Kaplan with a new scheme. Casso has a contact who has found a way to steal treasury bills Kathlyn just needs to discover a way to cash them before someone notices they're missing It's a risky idea. if the bills are reported missing before they're cashed, they'll be worthless But if they can pull this off, they'll be able to make hundreds of thousands of dollars, and no one will be able to trace it back to them So Kaplan agrees to help They decide to start with just a single bill worth half a million dollars Kaplan tracks down a jeweler in Brooklyn, who says he can cash to the treasury bill with a banker in London That banker will demand a hefty fee, but it would be worth it and a deal is quickly agreed to A few days later, the jeweler gets back in touch with Kaplin and gives him his share of the money as promised schame seems to have gone off without a hitch now that they've proved that it works Casso and Kaplan are eager to repeat the trick with more bills next time But then Kaplan gets word from the banker in London He never received the fee that was agreed to and he wants some answers Kaplin promises to look into it, and he soon learns that the jeweler from Brooklyn Never even traveled to London Instead, he paid another man to do the work for him And it was this second guy, Israel Greenwald who met with a banker Greenwald wasn't told that the treasury bill was stolen and he failed to pass on the promised fee worse, on his return to the United States Dreenwall was stopped by the FBI He was furious when he discovered the reason He thought he was just doing a friend a favor. He had no idea he was involved in a mafia conspiracy And soon he agreed to cooperate with authorities. Now, Kaplin is worried that Greenwall will lead the FBI right back to him and Anthony Casso So something has to be done At first, Kaplan only wants to give Greenwald a scare to let him know what might happen if he says too much But then Kaplan decides that's too risky With his previous record, his involvement in the treasury bill scheme could see him setent away for a long time So no matter how often Kathline turns it over in his mind He always comes to the same conclusion. Greenwald has to disappear could talk to Casso about it, of course, but he'd rather deal with it himself He was the one who found the unreliable jeweler and got them into this mess So he reaches out to Frank Santora Jr. He arranges a call from a pay phone where he's sure he can't be traced But he's still nervous Stealing treasury bills or peddling fake Kalvin clines is one thing. Murder is another. Kaplin peers through the glass of the phone booth. He's anxious someone might have followed him, but the street looks empty. Kaplan fishes a coin from his pocket, along with a piece of paper with a phone number on it. It's the number of the pay phone closest to Santora's home. Kaplin stands there for a moment, coin in hand, and staring at the number Then he feeds the machine and dials After a few rings, Santora answers. Hello. Kaplin cups the phone close to his ear. Yay, yeah, it's me. So what's this about for? G Got some work for your cousin. Yeah, what kind of job? Kaplin glances through the glass again and lowers his voice even further. Well, there's a guy I need taken care of. Can you help with that? Yeah, I'll talk to Lou. I'm sure it'll be no problem if you can pay Caplain shifts nervously. He's not sure what price to put on a man's life. Well, how much would you want? A Big job like this. Say thirty? Well, the max I can do is twenty. A, Bird, I thought we were having a serious talk here. Give me a call when you're ready for a real conversation. No, no, no, don't go't I could do twenty five. Please, I just can't do it all at once. I can pay ten now Another ten next week and the last five the week after that. How's that sound? Santora is silent for a moment. Kaplin grips the receiver. Frankie, you there? twenty five. All right, that's fair. Kaplan breathes a sigh of relief. Great, I appreciate that. So who's the guy? His name's Israel Greenwall. He lives at twelve o six Sage Street in Queens drives a blue cadillac and works on forty seventh. All right, one two hundred six Sade Street, Israel Greenwall. I consider it done. Thanks, Frankie. I owe you. Anytime, how's the family? Your daughter doing well? Kaplan can't believe how calm Santora sounds. He starts to wonder how many times he might have had a conversation like this before Yeah, they're fine. thanks. Good to hear it, good to hear it. All right, then, well, I'll be in touch The line goes silent. Burton Kaplan replaces the receiver, his heart pounding. He's just sentenced a man to death, and it wasn't much harder than ordering a pizza. He walks home in a daze. Despite all his precautions, Kaplan is still paranoid that the murder might be traced back to him. so he decides now would be a good time for a business trip packs his bags and heads to Arizona to check out some property investments there. Be Kathlin doesn't want to be anywhere near New York when Israel Greenwall gets hit I'm Matt Ford, and I'm Alice Leine. And we're the hosts of British Scandal. Yes, we are, and our new series starts with a loud, lovable woman from Bermmondsey who becomes one of the most famous people in Britain. This is the story of Jade Goody, the reality TV star who built a fortune just by being herself. And then lost everything in one of the most public racism scandals Britain has ever seen. It's a story of fame and a change of the conversation around cervical cancer forever Follow British sccandal wherever you get your podcasts or listen early and ad free on Audible Whether you're exploring your current fascinations or discovering new ones, Audible has all the stories that'll introduce you to your most fascinating self. Tap into a whole new world of heated conversations with a Sucy Romantasy series. Become your friend group's sci fi expert on the latest blockbuster book to sccreen adaptation Or find unexpected reveals through the exclusive episodes of a viral true crime podcast. However you choose to listen, audible keeps you fascinated, so you can be just as fascinating. All in one easy app with plans now starting at five pounds ninety nine cents, you'll get access to over nine hundred thousand audioobooks and podcasts, including trending bestestsellers, the hottest new releases, and exclusive podcasts you won't find anywhere else Sign up now to become a member and get any audiobook every month plus exclusive podcasts plans now start at five pounds ninety nine Be fascinated, be fascinating On february tenth, nineteen eighty six, Israel Greenwald kisses his wife and says goodbye to his daughters before they head off to school He promises to be back in time to meet a man who's interested in buying their family's Cadillac. But later that day, Greenwald is driving along the New York State throughway when he's pulled over by an unmarked police car. Two detectives approach and flash their badges They tell Greenwald he's wanted in connection with a hit and run and needs to come in for an identification lineup. If he isn't picked out by the witnesses, he'll be free to go Greenwald knows he has nothing to do with any hit and run, and he's confident the identity lineup will prove him innocent So he agrees to go with the cops The officers tell Greenwald to give his keys to their colleague, a third man who will drive Greenwald's car to the station for him. Greenwald hesitates a moment before handing over the keys Then he gets in the back of the police car and makes small talk with the officers He doesn't realize anything's wrong until they stop at a row of rundown garages in Brooklyn These garages are owned by Pete Franzone He's sitting in the guard shack reading a newspaper when Louis Epolito drives past Epelito rents one of the sheds that line the lot, and he parks in front of it now Fran zone returns to his newspaper, but a few moments later, there's a flurry of movement by Appolito's car that catches his eye The door to the shed is open and two men are pushing a third inside even from across a lot Franzone can see that one of the men is Epolito's cousin, Frank Santora And it was Santora who introduced Franzone to Epolito a few years back He often comes by the lot to hang out But Franzone doesn't recognize the thinner man with him or the person they're pushing into the garage For a moment, he wonders what's going on and he decides he'd rather not know. Santora has connections to the mafia, and the safest thing for Franzo to do is pretend he's seen and heard nothing So he looks down at his newspaper and forces himself to read After about twenty minutes, Santora and the thin man emerge from the garage and walk quickly away from the lot Bolito has been sitting in his car the entire time But as soon as the other men leave He starts his car up and drives off too There's no sign of the other man though friendriend Zone breathes a sigh of relief tries not to think about what must have just happened to that guy He's just glad Epolito, Santora, and their thin friend are gone But then a few minutes later, there's a tap on the window Franzone looks up, and Frank Santora is standing outside Franzone trembles as he sets aside his newspaper and goes to the door. He wants nothing to do with any of this, but he doesn't dare ignore Aantora. Hia, Frank You see me and my cousin Lou a little while ago? Friend Zone isn't sure whether that's a trick question. Well I don't know. I was reading the newspaper Sure you did. You always say you can see everything from that little shed of yours. Oh, well, you meant I mean sure, I saw you, of course. How is Lou Well, I want to show you something Santora starts walking toward Epolito's garage. Franzone hesitates. He really doesn't want to know what's behind that door. You know, Frankie, I'm kind of busy, reading the newspaper. Come on, Pete. onlyn be a minute. Santora opens the garage and beckons Franzone inside. It's dark, but Franzone can see there's something on the floor Santora turns on the lights its own freezes The man he saw pushed into the garage lies dead on the concrete. Blood seeps from several bullet wounds. Frankie, helpelp me bury him, will you? Ranzone doesn't know what to say. Santora grabs his shoulder. You hear what I said? I can't, Frankie. Santora frowns. You just let a man get hit on your property. he gets found and you'll be an accessory to murder Franzone wants to run, but his feet are frozen to the spot. Santora gives him a gentle pat on the shoulder. All right, way here. I'll go get the shovels The concrete floor of the garage is surprisingly thin, and it doesn't take Pete Franzone long to dig a hole deep enough to bury Israel Greenwall Once the grave is ready, Frank Cantaura rolls the bonody in. He empties a bag of white lime over it and then tells Franzone to refill the hole
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