I think Stanfa was talking to Sergio Battaglia about Gaeton Lucibello, who had switched to Merlino's side in the 1992-3 war. And It was Gate's wife Susan who was working for Joe Chang when he was ambushed at the Warfield...around and around it goes.
You're exactly right, I remember it now from the book. They also wanted to make sure if they hit Lucibello that Susan wasn't home or harmed from what I remember.
