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"Gentleman" John Marcone, also known as Jonny Marcone or Johnnie Marcone, is a human male and a crime lord. He first appears in Storm Front.

Description[]

Gard
There will be consequences.
[Marcone shrugged]
John Marcone
When aren’t there?
— Gard on saving Dresden from Capiorcorpus, defying fate.[1]

John Marcone has short, salt-and-pepper hair, sun-hardened smile-lines, and green eyes the color of old dollar bills. He is good-looking, tanned, athletic, and enthusiastic. He looks more like a football coach than a criminal.[2] According to Goodman Grey, he's ex-military and has a very Gallic shrug.[3] John Marcone isn't his real name.[4] He was forty years old when he first appeared in Storm Front.[5]

Marcone is a killer, earning his livelihood on human misery and suffering, peddling in drugs, flesh and stolen goods. He is also a soldier and a warrior, dedicated to his goals, minimizing said suffering as it is the most efficient way to run a business, and to his people, defending them with brute force, if need be, and avenging them if he couldn't.[1] His mind is a dry and cool place, except for a dim corner, hidden away from his everyday thoughts, hosting a secret shame which is the basis of his strength and resolve.[2] He controls the majority of organized crime in Chicago.[6][7]

Differently from other predators, Marcone would go to extreme lengths to help and protect children; he considers adults as fair game but deems kids off limits. He's vanished every one of his employees that ever crossed the line.[8] He also discreetly cares for Amanda Beckitt, who is permanently hospitalized in a coma.[9]

He is a Freeholding Lord under the Unseelie Accords,[10] with the title of Baron Marcone.[11] Also titled the Accorded Baron of Chicago,[12][13] he is the first regular human to be a signatory of the Accords. He is on the board of directors of Chicago Historical & Art Society,[14] owns Executive Priority Health,[15] organized the Brighter Future Society and built headquarters for the Chicago Alliance.[16]

He seems to have some respect for Harry Dresden, and acknowledges his power. Throughout the series, despite the disrespectful and insulting way Dresden talks to him, Marcone never goes beyond threats and, usually helps Dresden on the latter's terms. In Aftermath, when insultingly confronted by William Borden and Karrin Murphy, he throws a silver knife directly into Will's shoulder while Hendricks points a gun at them, bluntly telling them to watch their tongues as they do not have the power that Dresden had.[17]

In the series[]

Storm Front[]

In Storm Front, Marcone tries to stop Harry Dresden by buying him off the Jennifer Stanton case. While in the car, Dresden accidentally soulgazes him and sees that he's like a predator able to kill in the most efficient way when necessary. Overall he runs the underground of Chicago effectively, profitably, and ruthlessly.[2] Later, Dresden tracks Gimpy, who stole his hair, to the Varsity where Marcone and Hendricks are. Gimpy refuses to show his wrist where Dresden scratched him, Hendricks shoots him.[18]

Fool Moon[]

In Fool Moon, Marcone tries to hire Dresden as his head of security. This is presumably a countermeasure to the threat of the Loup-garou. Marcone has been working against the Northwest Passage Project, and provides this information in an attempt to preserve his life.[19] In an attempt to stop the killings, Dresden instigates a big showdown on John Marcone's estate between himself with the Alphas and Tera West, the FBI hexenwolves and Harley MacFinn in Loup-garou form, and Marcone with Hendricks.[20]

Death Masks[]

In Death Masks, Marcone's Chicago Historical & Art Society is holding a fundraiser at the Marriott Downtown Chicago Hotel. Harry Dresden, Susan Rodriguez and Martin suspect that this is where the Shroud of Turin is going to be sold by the Churchmice smuggler, Anna Valmont.[14] As such, Rodriguez and Dresden attend the fundraiser. While there, they are introduced to Marcone's new security consultant Ms. Gard. Dresden guesses that Marcone is the buyer for the Shroud.[7]

Later, Marcone provides helicopter transportation to follow the Denarian infested train to St. Louis. He assists the Knights of the Cross and recovers the Shroud of Turin to attempt the resuscitation of a comatose young girl; he harbors great regret for her current state. Her status is implied to be one of the motivations for his 'no children' rule.[9]

Dead Beat[]

In Dead Beat, Marcone appears in the nick of time to save Harry Dresden from the Corpsetaker. In the process, Gard tells him he is challenging fate. He provides some information and drops Dresden off at Cook County Hospital to investigate the survival of one of his 'mortally wounded' men.[1]

White Night[]

In White Night, Marcone has purchased the Madison Hotel and re-opened it as a re-iteration of the Velvet Room, called Executive Priority Health. The upper class brothel disguised as a health club is managed by Ms. Demeter.[21]

After discovering Ms. Demeter's identity, Dresden Soulgazes her and a mini-movie of sorts plays out in his mind. The soulgaze reveals that Marcone took over Chicago's underworld from under the Vargassi family's rule, 2 years prior to the events of Storm Front. In an attempt by the Vargassi's to take him out, Amanda Beckitt was shot.[22]

Dresden enlists Marcone's help[23] during the battle of the Raith Deeps[24] in exchange for a "seat at the table". With Dresden's endorsement, Marcone becomes the first normal human Freeholding Lord under the Unseelie Accords. This new status allows him to better defend himself, and Chicago against supernatural threats. His three required signatures come from Harry Dresden (as representative of the White Council), Lara Raith (on behalf of her father, the White King), and Donar Vadderung (the CEO of Monoc Securities).[10]

In the battle in the Deeps, Dresden challenges Marcone's sense of honor and morality, stating that threats won't deter him, but begging for his help. This shocks Marcone, and he then starts assisting in rescuing the White Court thralls.[24] Although he is disabled by Vittorio Malvora's psychic attack, Marcone is rescued himself by Thomas Raith at the end of the battle.[25]

Before signing the accords contract, Dresden notes that the little girl in a coma that Marcone cares for is actually Amanda Beckitt, though her mother still believes she is dead. Marcone states that to learn the truth would shatter Beckitt's world.[10]

"Down Town"[]

In "Down Town", the murder of Sam Fogle leaves him deeply unsettled; protection payments against the supernatural require him to actually provide protection. In a visit to Harry Dresden, he ensures that the wizard is on the case[26]

Small Favor[]

Case-Small Favor-Denarians

Marcone and Ivy captured by the Denarians.

In Small Favor, an empty apartment building is destroyed. The building is owned by Lake Michigan Ventures, a subsidiary of Mitigation Unlimited, whose CEO is Marcone.[27] Mab appears near the building and shows Harry Dresden a "recording" of the events of the buildings destruction. It appears that the building was a magical and physical safe-house that Marcone, Gard and Hendricks retreated to. They were attacked, and Marcone was kidnapped. Possibly a downside to him being a Freeholding Lord under the Unseelie Accords, Mab appoints Harry Dresden as her Emissary and instructs him to find the crime lord.[28]

Dresden finds out that Marcone was kidnapped by Denarians and held under duress, possibly to show that vanilla mortals have no place in the Accords;[29] This idea was later superseded by the hypotheris that the Denarians wanted to recruit Marcone by forcing him to take a coin,[30] in turn replaced by the idea that Nicodemus Archleone was in fact using Marcone as bait to recruit The Archive.[31] The attack on Marcone's safe-house was a trial run for the attack on Ivy.[32]

When Dresden finally tracks down Marcone, on Demonreach, Marcone is shown to have put up a fight against his captors though he had been tortured and had part of his ear ripped off.[33] The first thing Marcone asks is if Dresden can help the child, which annoys Dresden as it shows that he is not simply criminal scum. He is eventually rescued, leaving with Ivy by way of helicopter flown by Gard.[34]

During the chaos on the island, the coin of Thorned Namshiel goes missing. Dresden and Sanya believe that Marcone, or someone in his organization, took it. When Marcone is confronted, he claims to be unaware, revealing that Gard is reporting to her home office. It appears either Marcone or Monoc Securities have gained access to their own Fallen Angel expert in magic and magical theory.[35]

"Wild Card"[]

In "Wild Card", John Marcone is confronted with a very old fae causing mischief in Chicago and pitting powerful organizations such as the Chicago Police Department, the White Court and his own empire against each other.[36]

"Dog Men"[]

In "Dog Men", Harry Dresden dreams of Marcone dying at the hands of Puck while he can't do anything to prevent it.[37]

Changes[]

In Changes, Marcone makes a brief appearance where he meets Harry Dresden at a Burger King to discuss information regarding the location of Dresden's daughter, Maggie. He is unable to provide direct assistance, but Ms. Gard states that Donar Vadderung wishes to speak with Dresden.[38]

Dresden threatens Stevie D with Marcone's name, but Stevie replies that half of what he hears is that Marcone wants Dresden dead and the other half is that Dresden works for Marcone.[39]

"Even Hand"[]

In "Even Hand", Marcone executes two rival henchmen for breaking his "no children" rule within his territory. He is then approached by Justine, who requests asylum for herself and a small child. They are attacked by a cantrev lord of the Fomor, Mag who is seeking to retrieve the child. As the Fomor are signatories of the Unseelie Accords, Marcone is reluctant to become involved, until Mag insults him. Combined with the fact that a child is involved, Marcone and his allies defeat the Fomor sorcerer, mainly through use of a number of building defenses. Marcone realizes that Justine had been using the child as cover for her theft of account numbers from the Fomor and relieves her of the information. He is satisfied that his defenses worked against a magic user, as he is planning for a future confrontation with Harry Dresden.[4]

Aftermath[]

In Aftermath, Gentleman Marcone accepts a meeting with Karrin Murphy and William Borden. He denies any involvement with Harry Dresden's demise, but admits an interest in the people behind Georgia's kidnapping and instructs Ms. Gard to provide them with all the pertinent information.[17]

Ghost Story[]

In Ghost Story, Marcone sends one of his troubleshooters to ask Karrin Murphy, who he has been working with for the past six months, if she trusts the Ragged Lady. The reward for her answer is territory in Northerly Island.[40] Waldo Butters tells Harry Dresden that an alliance has been created with Marcone against the Fomor.[41] As part of the alliance, he has built a castle for the Brighter Future Society on the location of Harry Dresden's former residence, and employed Soldiers of Valhalla as guards. Marcone and his people have alibis for the time of Dresden's shooting.[42]

Molly Carpenter informs Dresden that Marcone is in Italy.[Footnote 1][43]

Bombshells[]

In Bombshells, Marcone attends the Svartalves party in celebration of a non-aggression pact they made with the Fomor. One of the Fomor Lords, brother of Cantrev Lord Mag, is in attendance, intent in getting revenge on Marcone for Mag's death. Somehow, Gard catches wind of the Fomor's plot and ushers Marcone out of the venue.[44]

Cold Days[]

In Cold Days, Thomas Raith tells Harry Dresden that the Brighter Future Society was Lara Raith's idea, but that Marcone imported the Castle and had it built on the site of Dresden's old apartment. Lara tried to seduce Marcone, but he kept it strictly business, much to her chagrin. Dresden tells Thomas that he was hoping Lara would kill Marcone and Thomas replies that although he was hoping for the reverse, their alliance is one of the biggest obstacles to the Fomor.[12] >

Skin Game[]

In Skin Game, Karrin Murphy tells Harry Dresden that Marcone and his people have taken to fighting the Fomor since Dresden and Molly Carpenter have been absent. However, he has mainly been focusing on areas where his territory has been threatened as not everyone can afford his expensive protection costs.[45]

As Dresden and Murphy are planning their task to break into Hades' Vault, Murphy identifies that the initial phase of the plan involves breaking into the Capristi Building, which is a bank belonging to Marcone.[13] When Dresden expresses his misgivings to Nicodemus Archleone, the Denarian explains that although Marcone is now a Baron of the Unseelie Accords, Archelone is no longer a signatory and that by working for him, Dresden is not in breach of the Accords on behalf of the White Council nor on behalf of Mab. Archleone claims that Marcone would have made a fine monarch a few centuries ago and that if necessary, he would make reparations after the burglary. He also claims that the vault holds items of value for many supernatural entities, including the Svartalves, the White Court, Drakul and others.[46]

When the group raids the Capristi Building and gets to the safe, Dresden deduces that Marcone has secretly changed out the door to his vault. Instead of using the high-end Fernucci which was installed as per the building blueprints, he has replaced it with a low-tech door in order to not be interfered with by the multiple claymore-triggering wards set up around it. Inside the vault are 22 strongrooms belonging to the various entities mentioned above. One of the other entities who stores their goods with Marcone is Ferrovax.[47]

Dresden visits Marcone at the Brighter Future Society where Mab is also present. Dresden lays out his knowledge of Mab, Marcone and Hades' deal to set up Archleone as payback for his multiple infringements against the Accords, and kidnapping of Marcone and The Archive. Their plan was not to kill Archleone, but to wound him, strangle his power and let him suffer. Dresden threatens to throw down with Marcone to assure protection for his co-conspirators. As this action would violate Mab’s guest rights with Marcone, she is surprised until Marcone graciously accepts Dresden’s weregild, drawing a very slight nod from the Queen. As he accepts the diamonds, Marcone makes clear to Dresden that their account is settled and any debts between the two are no longer in play.[48]

"Monsters"[]

In "Monsters", John Marcone requests Goodman Grey to retrieve a number of children from a high-class brothel controlled by a Los Angeles-based cartel, an action that Marcone cannot perform directly. Grey accepts on payment of a single dollar. The operation goes smoothly and Goodman Grey and Viti bring the children to their office. Later, reporting to Marcone, he provides him with proof that six of Marcone's people were pedophiles and were now dead; when Marcone mentions them as his own, Grey suggests him to take better care of his potential liabilities.[3]

Peace Talks[]

In Peace Talks, Baron Marcone hosts a supernatural peace summit called for by the Fomor.[49]

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Notes[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Dead Beat, ch. 18
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Storm Front, ch. 3
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Monsters"
  4. 4.0 4.1 "Even Hand"
  5. 2018 Reddit AMA
  6. Fool Moon, ch. 2
  7. 7.0 7.1 Death Masks, ch. 19
  8. Changes, ch. 22
  9. 9.0 9.1 Death Masks, ch. 33
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 White Night, ch. 43
  11. Small Favor, ch. 15
  12. 12.0 12.1 Cold Days, ch. 19
  13. 13.0 13.1 Skin Game, ch. 25
  14. 14.0 14.1 Death Masks, ch. 16
  15. White Night, ch. 22
  16. Ghost Story, ch. 16 and 18
  17. 17.0 17.1 Aftermath
  18. Storm Front, ch. 17
  19. Fool Moon, ch. 10
  20. Fool Moon, ch. 28-33
  21. White Night, ch. 28
  22. White Night, ch. 29
  23. White Night, ch. 32
  24. 24.0 24.1 White Night, ch. 39
  25. White Night, ch. 41
  26. "Down Town"
  27. Small Favor, ch. 4
  28. Small Favor, ch. 6
  29. Small Favor, ch. 12
  30. Small Favor, ch. 14 and 15
  31. Small Favor, ch. 29
  32. Small Favor, ch. 30
  33. Small Favor, ch. 42
  34. Small Favor, ch. 43
  35. Small Favor, ch. 46
  36. "Wild Card"
  37. "Dog Men"
  38. Changes, ch. 20
  39. Changes, ch. 32
  40. Ghost Story, ch. 8
  41. Ghost Story, ch. 16
  42. Ghost Story, ch. 18
  43. Ghost Story, ch. 41
  44. Bombshells
  45. Skin Game, ch. 24
  46. Skin Game, ch. 26
  47. Skin Game, ch. 35
  48. Skin Game, ch. 51
  49. Peace Talks, ch. 1
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