By Tony Schuyler,
Ledger Staff Writer
Anthony J. DeZego, who met his death on the roof of the Penn Services Parking Garage two nights ago, his head shattered by a shotgun blast, was described on the eve of his funeral as a "good son, husband and father" by his mother, Mrs. Christiana DeZego.
DeZego, 34, was a truck driver for Gulf Sea Food Transport at the time of his death in what police suspect was a gangland killing. Police Captain Michael J. Sabara, Deputy Commander of Special Operations, which is investigating the early-evening murder, refused to comment on DeZego's alleged ties to organized crime but said the shooting was "not unlike a Mafia assassination." He said that DeZego had a criminal record dating back to his teens and had only recently been released from probation.
His most recent brush with the law, according to Captain Sabara, had been a conviction for "possession with intent to distribute controlled substances."
DeZego had recently purchased for his family (a wife and two sons) a home four doors down from that of his mother in South Philadelphia. His late-model Cadillac, found abandoned by police at Philadelphia International Airport the morning after the shooting, was returned to his family yesterday.
Salvatore B. Mariano, DeZego's brother-in-law and president of Gulf Sea Food Transport, said that DeZego was "a reliable employee and would be missed at work." He refused to speculate on how DeZego could afford a new home and a Cadillac on ordinary truck driver's wages and dismissed as "nonsense" that DeZego had ties to organized crime.
DeZego will be buried at threep.m. this afternoon, following a Requiem Mass at St. Teresa of Avalone Roman Catholic Church.
The investigation into his murder is "proceeding well," according to Captain Sabara, who declined to offer any further details. He confirmed that the investigation is being conducted by ace homicide detective Jason Washington.
"Nothing would please us more than to see Mr. DeZego's murderer face the full penalty of the law," Sabara said.
"You want tobuy that newspaper, Mac? Or did you think you was in a library?" a counterman with sideburns down to his chin line demanded.
"I want to buy it," Matt said. "Sorry."
He laid a dollar bill on the counter and turned back to the telephone and dialed Peter Wohl's home number.
After the fourth ring there was a click. "This is 555-8251," Wohl' s recorded voice announced. "When this thing beeps, you can leave a message."
"Inspector, this is Matt Payne. I have to talk to you just as soon as possible-"
"This soon enough?" Wohl's cheerful voice interrupted.
Matt was startled.
"Have you seen the papers? TheLedger?"
"No. But I'll bet you called me to tell me about them," Wohl said dryly.
"There's a picture of the mayor on the front page. About to punch a photographer. And several bullshit stories putting him and us down."
"I'd like to see them," Wohl said. "Isthat why you called me at quarter to one?"
"No, sir. Sir, I've fucked up."
"Another run-in with Sergeant Dolan?"
"No, sir. It's something else."
"Where are you?"
"At 49^th and Lancaster. At a pay phone."
"If you don't think-which,ergo sum, you've called, so you don'tthis will wait until morning, come over here. Bring theLedger with you."
"Yes, sir, I'll be right there."
When he went outside, one of the two cops who had been at the counter was on the sidewalk. The other one was across the street, by the Porsche. Matt walked back across Lancaster Avenue.
"Nice car," the cop said.