Marcus couldn’t help himself and laughed, “Judith, you are the last person I would have thought of to ask for help. But if you are willing to listen, I’m ready to tell you the whole sordid story and take any advice you have to offer.”
“First, let’s get you on your way to the ER while you tell me your pitiful account of why you borrowed money from criminals.”
Judith got Marcus in the car and expertly backed it out of the garage. She carefully locked the house and mentioned that Marcus and Alexis should consider getting a monitored alarm system. It may not have stopped the gangsters from getting into the house, but may have limited their abuse if they knew the police were on their way. Driving to the nearest ER, Marcus told Judith the whole unsavory tale from meeting with Anthony in the soccer park to meeting with the ruffians in the shoddy vacant house in the deteriorating section of Phoenix. He told her about the investors and the deal he and Eric had made with them and about the endless delays in getting a survey of the mine completed. Judith listened attentively, nodding, and commenting when appropriate.
When Marcus finished his story, Judith sighed, “Oh Marcus, why didn’t you talk to me when you and your brother first decided to begin this adventure?”
Marcus looked at her with skepticism, “Judith, Arthur warned me not to involve you because you are always being solicited to invest in schemes.”
Judith smiled, “No, Marcus, I would have never invested any of my money in this mine deal, but I have contacts with honest, honorable investment people who would have treated you fairly and honestly. I have handled my own financial investments for many years and I’ve done well, because I’m careful where and with whom I invest my money. My father would be proud of me.”
Marcus grimaced, “Quite frankly, I never once considered discussing this with you. But today, I see you in a whole new light. A bright shiny light.” Marcus smiled at his mother-in-law.
“Between you and me, I never trusted my husband’s cousin. I always thought he was a parasite. Arthur told me that Walter couldn’t be bothered to visit his elderly parents while they were alive because he didn’t approve of their affluent life. However, he is now enjoying his inheritance and privileged lifestyle with his hussy girlfriend. I wish I would have had the opportunity to advise Arthur’s aunt and uncle to donated their wealth to charity instead of giving it to an ungrateful son.”
When they arrived at the hospital, it was surprisingly uncrowded. A young man dressed in green scrubs took Marcus back to a room for an examination. By the time another young man came back to the waiting room to show Judith to Marcus’s room, she had completed several phone calls and had set her plan of action into play.
Smiling, she told Marcus, “You are very lucky. The doctor doesn’t think you have a concussion, you passed the obvious physical examination, but they want to do an MRI to rule out any trauma to your neck or skull. It will be about half an hour before you can go up for the test. If you are up to it, I would like to go over what is going to happen tomorrow.”
“Judith, you don’t have to do this…” Marcus started but was interrupted.
“Yes, I do. Arthur is the best husband I’ve ever had and I appreciate and love him more each day. In turn, Alexis and Charlotte are his daughters and I’ve learned to love them too—warts and all. Alexis is a lot easier to understand than Charlotte and I’ve always liked you Marcus. Sometimes you can be a stinker, but I would never want anything or anyone to harm you. Now obviously since you said you had your share of the April payment, it must have been your brother who shortchanged Anthony. I called Alexis to see if she could talk to Eric and find out how much, but had to leave a message. While I was waiting to see you, I called Carlos, who is my paid protector. I used him a lot when I was married to husband #2. Now I use him only if I have to attend an evening event by myself, which is rare now days, Arthur is a darling and usually manages to escort me to my nighttime functions. However, there were a couple of evening events that took place downtown Phoenix where they didn’t have valet parking and it was a little nerve-racking walking to an underground parking structure even with Arthur. Those times, I wished I had brought Carlos with us. No one ever messes with Carlos. Tomorrow he is going with you to pay back the money you owe. At that time, he will ask the man who takes the money to let you know the total amount you will need to fulfill the terms of the borrowing contract with Anthony. And he will demand it in writing and signed.”
Judith’s phone rang. It was Alexis.
“Judith how is Marcus? I got your message and I was able to talk to Eric. I still haven’t figured out how my husband and his brother got involved with these hoodlums, but I have an answer to your question. Eric didn’t pay his share of whatever they owe these guys. He was short $150, and he said there would be a $500 penalty that is due tomorrow afternoon at four.”
Judith smiled, “Thanks Alexis, that’s exactly what I needed to know. To answer your question, Marcus is doing well. We are waiting for an MRI to make sure his skull and neck don’t have any hidden surprises.” Judith looked around the room to make sure no one was listening. “We told the hospital that he fell off his motorcycle, so they wouldn’t call the police. I don’t think bringing in the police would help the situation.”
“Thank you Judith for everything. You and Dad are lifesavers.”
Judith disconnected her phone call and turned to Marcus, “Tomorrow you and Carlos are going to that creepy house with $650. Eric told Alexis he shortchanged his payment by $150.”
“$150! My brother is such a jerk.”
“I’m assuming you deliver this money in cash and in small bills.”
“Yes, nothing larger than a $50 bill,” replied Marcus. “Judith, thank you, but I can’t raise $650 by tomorrow.”
“Marcus, when I said I would help you, I meant it. I’m going to make this whole situation go away. But I want a promise from you that there will never be a repeat of borrowing money from unsavory characters.”
“Don’t worry about that,” Marcus looked at his savior with gratitude and held up his right hand to take an oath. “I’ll never ever let anyone talk me into a situation like this again. I didn’t want to do it in the first place, but Eric talked me into it. I’ve regretted it since the first time I laid eyes on Anthony. I promise I’ll pay you back every penny—it may take some time.”
“No Marcus, this assistance includes the whole deal—no strings attached. Actually, I have an ulterior motive. Years ago, I remember seeing Arthur when he was married to Nora. I would see them at social events and activities and I always envied the adoring way he would look at her. That look of pure love and devotion for a woman he adored. Now I’m hoping to make up for some of the mistakes I made early on in our marriage. Not that I ever resented Arthur’s love for the mother of his children, I actually admire him for that. I just want to see him look at me with that same look.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
The “Fixer”
April 19, 2017
Marcus woke up stiff and every bone in his body ached. He was tired. He and Alexis had spent most of last night talking; actually he confessed all the things he had done behind her back. He apologized and promised never to do anything without discussing it with her again.
“How are you feeling,” Alexis asked as she rolled over and saw her husband trying to get out of bed.
“I think a lot better than Eric is feeling this morning.” Marcus laughed as he started to walk into the kitchen to plug in the coffeepot. When he returned he added, “I still can’t get over Judith. I always thought she was such a spoiled and overindulgent woman, but when she wants to be, she can be one tough lady.”
Marcus slowly and painfully walked into the shower. He felt a little better when he finished. Hearing the signal from the coffee maker, he walked back into the kitchen to fill his coffee cup and one for Alexis. As he walked back into the bedroom, he handed the cup over to his wife. Looking at her he asked, “Are you okay? You look like you don’t feel good. Here, may
be some coffee will help.”
“I don’t feel good this morning, I’m a little queasy, probably from all the stress of yesterday,” said Alexis as she refused the coffee. “Thanks, but I don’t want any coffee. I have to get dressed and get to work. I have so much to do today. Will you be okay alone?”
“As a matter of fact, I won’t be alone this morning. Last night at the hospital Judith called our dentist at home and talked him into coming into the office to fix my teeth early this morning.”
Alexis opened her mouth in amazement, “Judith, talked Dr. Allen to come in to fix your teeth before he leaves on his vacation? How does she even know him?”
Marcus laughed at his wife’s expression, “They work together on the Grady Gammage Advisory Board, turns out our dentist is a real music lover. And she even calls him, ‘Larry honey.’”
Alexis laughed and kissed her husband on the check and asked, “Should I be worried about you and Judith, you know she’s always had a thing for younger men?”
“No, I don’t think you need to worry. Judith and I had a heart-to-heart yesterday and I think she finally realizes that your father is a pretty terrific husband. I think she was a little jealous of the connection your parents shared, but now she’s working hard on their relationship. And I think it’s working.”
Marcus shook his head and walked in the bathroom to finish shaving. Looking in the mirror, he still looked bruised, but much better than he looked last night. He was astonished at how Judith was so willing to help him and Alexis. If she really could make this horrible situation go away, Marcus promised himself, he would listen to his own conscience and not to his brother. His brother, the older brother he idolized and admired all his life was now falling apart in front of his own eyes. After Alexis left for work, he called his office to let them know he was sick. He would go in tomorrow.
Judith arrived to pick up Marcus at 6:45 a.m. sharp. He was ready and Judith was happy to see him looking better.
“I talked to Carlos this morning and he will be at your door at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon to take you to your rendezvous. He will have the envelope with the small bills and he will do all the talking. You won’t have to worry about these guys when Carlos is beside you.”
“Thank you again,” Marcus replied. “How can we ever thank you for helping us out of this horrible situation. I just hope this guy has Alexis’s laptop and manuscript. That was part of the deal.”
Judith laughed. “Don’t worry about that. Carlos is one tough negotiator. He won’t release the money until he has the laptop and verifies it is in working order.”
Later that afternoon, Marcus looked in the bathroom mirror at his beautiful, temporary front teeth. No one would ever know how ghastly he looked just twenty-four hours ago. At 3:00 p.m. a black car pulled up in front of the Caldwell’s home. For one moment, Marcus was terrified it was the men who had assaulted him the day before. A very tall, well-built man who was dressed impeccably in a dark grey suit with a purple shirt and grey tie exited from the driver’s side. As he approached the front door, Marcus could understand why Judith felt so safe in Carlos’s company and he started to relax.
Marcus answered the door as the young man held out his hand, “You must be Marcus; I’m Carlos.”
“Hello and, yes, I am,” Marcus replied, as they shook hands. “I’m very happy to meet you. Carlos, have you ever thought about playing defense for the Arizona Cardinals?”
Carlos laughed, “Do you have the authority to offer me that position?”
Marcus smiled, “No, just wishful thinking. Would you like to come in?”
“Thank you, but I think we need to go. I want to drive around this menacing area and check out the neighborhood before we enter the house.”
Sitting beside Carlos, Marcus observed that he was refined with a very striking presence. A good-looking man; his dark-skin was illuminated by cobalt blue eyes. He expertly maneuvered the freeway as Marcus gave him directions. As they approached the crumbling neighborhood, Carlos drove by the house that Marcus pointed out was the meeting place. He carefully drove around the block looking for other cars and people in the abandoned neighborhood. As they turned the corner going back to the designated dwelling, a black Lincoln MKC pulled into the driveway. Marcus put his hand on the steering wheel, “That’s the car that was in my neighborhood yesterday. The guys who beat me up were in it.”
Carlos stopped half a block away as they observed two men getting out of the car and go into the house. It was 3:56 p.m. After the door closed, Carlos parked his car behind the Lincoln and he and Marcus walked into the house.
“Wait a minute,” yelled the man known as Ricco. “No one is allowed at this party unless invited.”
“Sir,” replied Carlos. “As you probably know, Eric is in the hospital and there is no way Marcus was coming here alone. I’m filling in for Eric. Let’s get down to business. Do you have the laptop and manuscript you are holding as ransom?”
“Do you have the money?” asked the other man who appeared more self-assured and confident, probably the person in command.
Carlos pulled out an envelope, opened it so the two men could see as he flicked through the money. “We are also asking for a complete breakdown of the loan. The actual cost of the loan, the payments made, and the amount necessary to pay it off.”
“You do know there is a penalty to pay it off early?”
“Yes,” Carlos replied as he stuck the envelope back in the pocket located inside his jacket. “How will this transaction be completed? Will you call Marcus or will your boss? We also need a time and place to complete the proceedings.”
Ricco looked at the other man as he took out his cellphone and walked out the door over to the Lincoln and got into the car.
Fifteen minutes later, he returned and told Carlos that his boss would have Arthur’s cousin contact Marcus with all the details. He also informed him that there would be an extra charge for paying off the loan without notice.
“Fine,” answered Carlos. “The laptop and manuscript please.” He reached in his pocket for the envelope. Ricco returned from another room with both. Marcus took the items and checked to see if all of the manuscript was intact and the computer operational. When Marcus nodded, Carlos handed the cash envelope over to the thugs.
“Also,” Carlos added. “The final payment will be made by cashier checks payable to Anthony Bonasera with a notation of ‘gift’ in the memo line. The IRS laws say that a person can give $14,000 to any individual without incurring any taxes. And we want a piece of paper with your bosses’ signature saying the loan is paid in full.”
The self-assured man started to protest, but then nodded affirmatively to Carlos. Carlos and Marcus left the house. Marcus didn’t breathe easily until they were back on the I-10 heading home.
Walter called Marcus that evening. Walter was unhappy; he didn’t want anything to do with Missy’s family, especially her brother, Anthony. First his favorite cousin, Arthur, called him upset over giving his son-in-law contact information for a criminal. Then Missy’s brother calls him and made him the “go-between” to complete this deal. Walter promised himself, he would never, ever tell anyone about Anthony or his loan sharking business again.
“Here are the details,” Walter began. “The loan was $20,000 plus $5,000 interest. You and Eric made five payments for a total of $5,207.85. There will be a $7,000 penalty for paying the loan off early plus $4,000 for not giving any notice you were paying it off. Leaving a grand total of $30,793 for full payment. Anthony will accept the two cashier checks for $14,000 each made out to him plus a cash envelope with $2,793 in small bills. Is that agreeable?”
“Yes, thanks,” a relieved Marcus said. “I also want a signed note from Anthony saying the loan has been paid in full before we hand over the money.”
“Yeah, yeah,” responded Walter. “Do you have paper and a pen?”
“Yes.”
“Good,” answered Walter. “Here’s the address where you will meet at noon on Sa
turday, April 22.”
Marcus wrote down the address and cross streets, “Sorry to involve you in this mess and I promise we will never speak of it again. Agreed?”
“Agreed. Remember, I warned you to stay away from Anthony?”
April 21, 2017
Charlotte was finishing up her work late. She looked at the clock on the wall and saw that it was already eight and dark outside. She cleaned up her desk, logged off her computer, and locked the office door behind her. Finding a cab in New York City on a Friday night took a lot longer than she expected. Finally a cab stopped and took her home. She walked into the apartment a little after nine. Aaron was waiting on the couch. Angry.
“Oh Aaron, I’m so sorry I’m late. I forgot you wanted to go out to dinner tonight. I was on a deadline for the magazine and just finished with the final layout, then I had a hard time catching a cab,” Charlotte explained as she approached him to kiss him.
Aaron turned his head, “Charley, you have a phone. Don’t you have the common courtesy to let me know what you are doing? I was worried something happened to you. You do know I put the Uber App on your phone?”
“I know, I know and I’m so sorry. How about I warm up last night’s chicken? You can pour us a glass of wine and we can talk.”
Aaron got up off the couch and approached Charlotte. He was still angry.
Charlotte stood very still. She was terrified. The last time he had hit her after that terrible beating, it was quick and brief. But what if he started beating her and couldn’t stop?
At that moment, Charlotte decided she wasn’t going to spend the rest of her life living in fear. Aaron was so irate as he started walking toward her and she was sure he was going to strike her. But as he approached her, she found her voice.
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