Monster

by Bernard L. DeLeo

  “We can stick around and visit for a while until you start getting swamped with customers. Red and I can…” McDaniels paused as Donaldson and Rasheed exchanged a quick look. “Hey, what’s up with you two?”

  “They’re probably tired of seeing me around.” Reskova smiled to show it did not upset her.

  “No, Boss,” Rasheed said quickly. “Shaun of the Dead thinks everyone is trying to get rid of him. I just thought you two would have other plans.”

  “What was that look between you two?” McDaniels cut in, grabbing Pete’s ear. “Pete?”

  “Easy, Colonel, Nancy just wanted to browse for a piece to decorate our entryway table, and then go spend some time with Ansa while Kay and I watch the shop. We…”

  “Wait a minute,” Reskova jumped in suspiciously. “You two want to spend more time together away from the wives playing retail clerks? You’re right, Cold. Something’s up with these two.”

  “It is nothing.” Rasheed shrugged at Donaldson. “Pete agreed to help me with a little problem Ansa and Suraya have been having this week.”

  “What would this little problem…” McDaniels started to ask as the little bell rang on the entrance door.

  Five casually dressed young men of obvious Middle Eastern descent walked into the front entrance. They ranged from just under five feet ten inches tall to over six feet. McDaniels figured them to be roughly around Mehmed’s age. McDaniels smiled knowingly at Rasheed who nodded his head in affirmation. Donaldson walked Nancy around the counter. Rasheed opened the door leading into the back for her. McDaniels walked away from the counter, appearing to look over some knickknacks of Washington D.C. Rasheed had placed near the counter. Reskova remained in front of the counter. The young men eyed McDaniels, paying no attention to the others. When McDaniels walked toward the door of the shop, the group moved into a line near the register while waiting until McDaniels exited the store.

  “Greetings, brother,” the lead man said in Arabic.

  “Speak English,” Rasheed ordered. Donaldson moved to the customer side of the counter. “My wife and daughter have told me what you and these other scum have been saying about them in my shop.”

  “You betray Islam by having women run your business!” The man’s face screwed up into a mask of infantile rage Rasheed had seen many times before. “They were dressed as common street trash.”

  Mehmed entered the store through the same door Rasheed had opened for Nancy. He took up a position just behind Rasheed. Rasheed glanced back at Mehmed.

  “Did you hear, Mehmed, what this donkey’s penis has said about Suraya?” Rasheed asked, causing Donaldson to clamp a hand over his mouth.

  “I heard, Sir,” Mehmed acknowledged, his manner calm and cold. “Suraya has told me these vermin have been trying to blackmail her and Mrs. Rasheed, using their false indignation for Allah as an excuse. They called your wife and daughter many names, any of which would be worthy of death.”

  “Who is this virgin you hide behind shopkeeper?” The young man in front glanced back with arrogant mirth at his comrades.

  When the young man turned his attention to Rasheed, Mehmed was standing in front of him. Reskova was in a position to see the sudden fear which raced across the young man’s countenance before remembering his fellow extortionists behind him. He reached for Mehmed’s shirt to push him into the counter. Instead he found his wrists locked more strongly than he had ever felt before. Mehmed forced the young thug to his knees. Before the young man’s friends could move, Mehmed snapped his captive’s right wrist, evoking a scream of agony. Mehmed released him and stepped back near the counter.

  “As you wished, Mr. Rasheed, no blood,” Mehmed stated, glancing at the grinning Rasheed.

  The young man’s friends were stunned. Donaldson and Reskova closed in on them. McDaniels had crept back into the store directly behind the group.

  “Put your hands behind your heads, fingers locked!” McDaniels ordered in Arabic.

  The four men turned furtively toward McDaniels. Seeing the same giant who had been in the shop before had now reappeared as if from thin air, they clasped their hands quickly behind their heads. Mehmed frisked each one, removing all personal items they carried. He handed them then to Rasheed. When he finished with the four standing, Mehmed relieved the ringleader of his belongings. Reskova stepped closer, showing them her badge and identification.

  “How do the ID’s look, Kay,” Reskova asked.

  “They are American citizens.” Rasheed walked out from behind the counter. “Mehmed, go and bring my wife and daughter out. I wish to know if any of these other swine insulted them.”

  Mehmed hurried through the door behind the counter to do Rasheed’s bidding.

  “You…you cannot do this,” the man on the floor groaned. “We…”

  Rasheed grabbed his hair, yanking him upright into a seated position. He banged the young man’s head against the counter.

  “Speak again and I will rip the ears from your head and stick them down your throat,” Rasheed whispered menacingly. “Do you understand?”

  The man nodded, all prior bravado completely gone. Ansa, and Suraya came through the rear entrance with Mehmed.

  “These are the ones, my husband,” Ansa stated right away, walking over to look at the men standing in front of McDaniels. She pointed to the one rocking in pain at her feet. “That is the one who spoke to us.”

  “He called us whores, Father,” Suraya added. “He wanted money for what he said were transgressions against Allah.”

  “Did any of these others speak?” Rasheed gestured at the four standing.

  “No,” Ansa replied. “They only laughed at this one’s comments.”

  “You have everything here in America,” Mehmed shouted, moving to face the other four. “Why would you do this?”

  Rasheed pulled the injured man to his feet.

  “Do any of you have anything you want to say?” Rasheed asked.

  The other four exchanged glances.

  “We are very sorry,” the tallest one of the group said finally, addressing Ansa and Suraya.

  “Take your friend and go. Your belongings and ID’s will be returned later. We will investigate all of you and your families. Pray to Allah we do not find anything in your backgrounds that force us to speak to you a second time. Never come near my shop again. If ever you see my family on the street, run away in the opposite direction. This is the only warning you will ever get. I know where to find each of you, now get out.”

  The men hurried out of the store, pulling the injured one along. After they were gone, McDaniels came over to shake hands with Mehmed who was trying to unsuccessfully keep Suraya from holding his hand in front of her Father.

  “That was one calm no nonsense piece of work, Mehmed,” McDaniels complimented him.

  “I am very happy to see you again, Cold Mountain,” Mehmed said enthusiastically, not noticing Suraya had moved her hands up and was now clutching his arm. “It is good you are back, Sir.”

  Ansa, Reskova, and Donaldson noticed Rasheed’s face twist slowly into a scowl while watching Suraya draw closer and closer to Mehmed. Mehmed glanced at Rasheed momentarily as he spoke before realizing Suraya was now holding his arm tightly, resting her head against his shoulder. Mehmed’s smile vanished. He gently but firmly disengaged himself from Suraya. Rasheed sighed in resignation as the others laughed appreciatively.

  “This is not a game, Suraya,” Mehmed whispered fiercely to Suraya. She smiled up into his eyes while trying to regain a grip on his hand. “You must abide your Father’s wishes.”

  Rasheed put an arm around Mehmed’s shoulders.

  “Ansa did the same thing to me in front of her Father, a brutish monster of a man who would have made the Cold Mountain tremble. As Shaun of the Dead stated, you did very well. The broken wrist was most satisfying. I forgive you for the liberties my daughter takes. I will not forgive any you take or allow to happen willingly. Remember our talk, young Mehmed.”

  “I
will not forget, Sir,” Mehmed promised, smiling at Ansa who had reacted to Rasheed’s description of her behavior when they were younger with both hands at her mouth.

  “I…I did no such thing.” Ansa blushed as Suraya looked at her questioningly.

  Rasheed picked up the ID of the man Mehmed had injured and handed it to Mehmed.

  “I have already copied the information from this driver’s license and retrieved a fingerprint. Go as Pete and I discussed with you before and find out everything about this man’s residence. Shadow everyone who visits his home and anyone who lives there. It is most important you find out whether he visits any Mosque’s or meeting places. Do you have what you need?”

  “Yes Sir. I have the digital equipment to record all who come and go near his place. I will blend in as you have taught me.”

  “Arm yourself. Do not hesitate to call me or Pete if you have any difficulties,” Rasheed instructed. “This weekend will be very important for your training. Do not lose concentration, Mehmed.”

  “I will not, Sir.” Mehmed turned to walk out past McDaniels who had been listening with interest.

  Suraya grabbed Mehmed’s hand, looking at her Father imploringly.

  “Let me go with him, Father,” Suraya pleaded. The others watched with great amusement as Mehmed’s face turned ashen.

  “Release the young man!” Rasheed looked accusingly at Ansa as if she had instigated Suraya’s actions. “Do not embarrass yourself in front of our friends any further. He is not going to Disneyland. He is on assignment. Go and take little Cold from Nancy.”

  Suraya began to speak again but stayed silent when she saw the vehement head shake from Ansa. Instead, Suraya turned and quickly kissed Mehmed on the mouth, causing the young man to nearly pitch backward into a store shelf full of antique porcelain. Only McDaniels’ steadying hand at his back allowed Mehmed to regain his balance and hurry out of the store. Suraya gave the startled Rasheed one more rebellious glance before hurrying through the inner shop entrance with a smiling Ansa following.

  Donaldson walked over to commiserate with his partner.

  “Geez, Kay, I hope I’m dead before my kid gets to be fifteen.”

  “You see now why I have been trying to shield you from the disillusionment which is an integral part of parenthood.” Rasheed placed a reassuring hand on Donaldson’s shoulder. “I am blessed it is Mehmed Suraya has become infatuated with.”

  “I think it’s more than infatuation, Kay,” Donaldson replied.

  “Indeed,” Rasheed confirmed glumly.

  “Kay, you act like Suraya’s trying to run off with an axe murderer,” McDaniels began. “What if…”

  “Stay out of this, Shaun of the Dead.” Rasheed gave McDaniels a dismissing wave of the hand. “If parents and prospective parents need advice on how to kill and maim a legion of unsuspecting people, we will say oh please Shaun of the Dead, please bless us with your wisdom. Because we are only trying to ascertain the best course in guiding a recalcitrant child, I must ask you to withhold your gems of wisdom.”

  This statement set Reskova off. She was unable for many moments to speak, resisting any looks McDaniels tried unsuccessfully to give her. Her laughter was infectious. Soon Donaldson as well as Rasheed were laughing at McDaniels’ expense. McDaniels kept smiling throughout, remembering how he had missed being around with his friends in just this way.

  “Point taken,” McDaniels stated finally.

  “Did you talk this over with Tom?” Reskova asked Rasheed.

  “I told Tom about this bunch. We went over what I was going to do. The Boss was not thrilled but he thought if there were even a remote possibility this harassment might be tied in with the Syrians or Russians, he wanted it pursued. I do not like coincidences. Tom agreed I may have been outed to the Middle Eastern community, some of whom feel they can seek any kind of retribution they wish for non-existing offenses.”

  “In other words, the Russians may have caught you up in their surveillance of me,” Reskova added somberly. “You were right to have started this action, Kay.”

  “I’m in,” McDaniels stated immediately. “I have confirmation Romanko and Kojovich were part of Diane’s kidnapping. They obviously had Diane under surveillance for God knows how long before they enlisted the Hughes brothers.”

  Absorbing all the implications of what McDaniels had told him, Rasheed nodded his head slowly as he went over the information in his mind.

  “It makes sense, Kay,” Donaldson put in. “If Mehmed or our investigation of these ID’s turns up anyone connected with the Russians or Syrians you and your family are in danger. Remember, Jen found out about the apartment the Russians were using to watch Diane’s place. They may have seen you then.”

  “I think it might be a good idea to close up shop until I kill everyone involved,” McDaniels said matter-of-factly.

  The others turned immediately with apprehension to Reskova. She laughed lightly at their concern.

  “Don’t look at me. We’re not cartoon characters. If you think for a moment I give a crap any more about fighting this shit with my hands tied behind my back, you’re nuts. I’m in all the way. There’s nothing like waking up in a trunk with people talking about your demise to make a person see the big picture. I’d rather go to prison than see any of you killed because we played this game by their rules.”

  “Pete helped me put in a closed circuit alarm system already. I will do as Cold suggests and close up for the time being until we see how Mehmed’s surveillance goes.”

  “I like that kid,” McDaniels said. “Does he have enough skills for this, Kay?”

  “I’m on with him, Colonel.” Donaldson pointed to the receiver at his ear. He’s wearing a GPS tracker. Kay and I like him too. He’s the best choice for doing this. We’ve been training him ever since he arrived in America.”

  “He is very good, Cold,” Rasheed confirmed. “I am most grateful for your commitment to this, Diane. We were unsure how to proceed if we did find a tie-in to the Russians or Syrians.”

  “Frankly, as with Mero, there really isn’t any other way to proceed,” McDaniels said with a shrug. “Like the saying goes, if you find out your enemy wishes to put a bomb in your house, put one in his first.”

  “Gee, Cold, it seems so simple when you put it like that,” Reskova remarked with just a hint of sarcasm.

  “I’m beginning to think it is just that simple,” Donaldson said. “Nancy and I are sticking around here for the day. Maybe Kay and I can even make a few bucks in the shop here. I have my car right outside in case Mehmed needs help. Aren’t you glad I talked you into putting in those pull down metal shutters for your storefront, Kay?”

  “Indeed. I was foolish to think I could have a secret identity like Batman.”

  “Wait a minute,” Donaldson objected as McDaniels and Reskova laughed at Rasheed’s comic book reference. “If you’re Batman, that would make me Robin. I don’t like it.”

  “I would have said Green Arrow but then you would have to be the Black Canary,” Rasheed explained, evoking more laughter. “You can be the older Robin, ah… what is his name… ah yes… Nightwing. Mehmed can be Robin.”

  “You are really up on the comic book lore, Kay,” McDaniels complimented him.

  “I bought out a couple of private collections after seeing how much comic books sell for on E-bay. I have been reading them along with the comic book price guide. I can begin selling some comic books in the store too. If you wish, my sidekick can escort you into the house now.”

  “Why you…” Donaldson headed toward the counter.

  “Stay where you are,” Rasheed warned. “Batman will not brook disrespect from his groupies.”

  “You see what happens the next time you need a sidekick when Jen decides to frag your butt at the office.” Donaldson settled for something he knew would give Rasheed pause. Rutledge had been beating Rasheed to the punch in almost everything of a kidding nature at work. “See if I give you a heads up the next time she lures you i
nto making a fool out of yourself.”

  “There is no need to act like a recalcitrant child,” Rasheed observed with a stern expression.

  “I’m taking Diane out to breakfast,” McDaniels broke in before Donaldson could reply. “You guys want to round up everyone and come along?”

  “I think it would be better if Batman and I monitor Mehmed’s surveillance, Colonel,” Donaldson replied. “I have my notebook with satellite hookup in the house. We’ll keep an eye on him today. I need to run some checks on the closed circuit system I put in.”

  “Did you get them on camera?” Reskova asked.

  “Yes, we had the system running, hoping they would visit,” Rasheed answered. “I will send the digital images of them out right away and see if they have been into anything else besides extortion.”

  “Sounds good,” McDaniels replied. “Call me if you need anything.”

  “I will, my friend,” Rasheed said. “Stop for dinner tonight.”

  “Only if you let us bring dinner,” Reskova replied. “What would you like?”

  “How about Chinese?” Rasheed asked, turning to Donaldson. “Is that all right with you, Robin?”

  “I’m Nightwing.”

  “Not since you disrespected me.”

  Chapter 56

  Beyond The Law

  Reskova watched McDaniels playing Frisbee with Dino. The two had collected an audience as they played in the small park near Reskova’s apartment building. The weather remained in the middle sixties without a cloud in the sky. Each time Dino caught the Frisbee he walked near the kids standing around McDaniels, pretending to let them have the disc, only to pull it back and turn away at the last moment. The kids, ranging in age from around seven to ten years old of both sexes would then yell and chase Dino. Dino then circled around out of their reach to give over the Frisbee into a laughing McDaniels’ hand. The parents of the kids in attendance were enjoying the repeated antics of Dino, the devil dog, almost as much as their children.