Franco "The Lily" Giovanni

Background

Franco is of Italian heritage, born in 1909 in Chicago to Italian immigrants Alessandro and Giulia Giovanni. Sandro, as he liked to be known, was an importer of Italian wines and spirits until 1920 when the prohibition laws effectively closed his business. Sandro used his connections back in Italy to carry on an import business but his goods were labelled as “Communion Wine” which was not restricted under prohibition. He sold his wine through the Chicago mob, initially under Al Capone and then under a succession of bosses.

Franco, a child when prohibition began, followed his father into organised crime when he came of age in 1930. He was a bodyguard and enforcer and quickly gained a reputation as a man who could be trusted. When prohibition ended in 1933, Franco’s father moved quickly to legitimise his business once again, a move which angered his former bosses. Sandro was ordered to pay protection money to the mob, which he refused to do, feeling that his years being tied to them was payment enough. In late 1935, the then mob boss grew tired of Sandro and ordered him killed. The execution was carried out by Johnny Barleish, an enforcer of Irish origin who was promptly killed by Franco in retribution.

After killing Barleish, Franco knew that Chicago was no longer a safe place. He quickly arranged for himself, his wife, his mother and his sister Maria to move to England where they would start a new life. Franco also pledged that he would never again serve the criminal underworld. Unfortunately, the criminal underworld would return to haunt Franco. His wife was killed in a botched hit on Franco when she was caught in the crossfire. Two of the three assassins were shot by Franco, the last got away. The two that Franco had taken out were Irish.

Seeking ways to legitimately hunt his wife’s killer, Franco offered his services to Scotland Yard as an independent advisor on organised crime. He quickly helped them to make significant arrests but as yet has not identified the gunman he seeks.

As his reputation as an undercover operative grew, he attracted the attention of government organisations including the Secret Intelligence Service. Since 1937 he has carried out a number of deniable missions for the SIS as a freelancer, primarily operating in Italy and the Italian colonies in Africa. Franco’s primary contact with the SIS is Beverly Erridge and is she that invited Franco to join Section D.

Special Abilities

• Languages Known: Spanish (d6), Italian (d6), German (d6), English (native, d8)

Advances

• Raise Skills: Athletics/Common Knowledge
• Edge: Streetwise
• Edge: Steady Hands

• Edge: Rock and Roll!