by HD Smith
Next the Russian pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket. He picked up the phone again. This time Matty scooched closer and concentrated on listening.
“It’s me,” the Russian said, almost inaudible. “We need to meet … yeah, okay, the factory on Lincoln and Adams … 6:00 PM. I’ll be there with the money.” The Russian hung up the phone and left the pub.
Lenny shifted his weight. Matty realized he was about to get up. He grabbed Lenny’s arm. “Wait,” he whispered. Matty jerked his head toward the parking lot behind Miller’s Pub. “Until he drives away.”
Matty and his friends waited until they heard the Russian’s car start and pull away, before leaving the roof and going downstairs.
Everyone was quiet. Matty wasn’t sure what to say. Parrish was dead—and the Russian clearly wasn’t on their team.
Lenny finally broke the silence. “This is big.”
“Yeah,” Ronny agreed. “And he told someone they were on their way—who do you think he called?”
Matty was glad someone had heard the Russian, but now what. Juli said what Matty was thinking.
“We can’t even warn them.” Juli sounded panicked.
“We don’t know—” Ronny started.
“We don’t know anything,” Juli yelled, “and now Dad and Mr. Hill could be in the line of fire. Someone killed Parrish!”
Lenny’s body stiffened.
Matty jumped in. “They wouldn’t do it like that. There’s no reason to target them. Logan’s higher up. Why would they target Hill or Townsend while he’s in place?”
Juli shook his head. Running his hand through his hair, he started pacing.
“Dad’s not stupid,” Lenny said, as if trying to downplay his concern, “and Mr. Townsend isn’t an easy target.”
Ronny’s wide-eyed stare, Juli’s frustrated pacing, and Lenny’s attempt at being strong made it clear to Matty they had doubts. He knew what it was like to lose a dad. He wanted to reassure his friends that that wasn’t going to happen. “It’s more likely he was just giving his accomplices a heads up. They have no way to know exactly how they’ll get there. Mr. Hill didn’t mention it, and there was no discussion on the phone. And why would they ambush them in the city? They could have sent someone here—they didn’t. I don’t think Mr. Hill or Mr. Townsend are targets.”
Juli took a few deep breaths. Matty hoped he was getting through to his friends. They couldn’t lose it now.
“The Russian,” Matty continued. “He’s the one we need to follow. He’s meeting with someone at six o’clock. We need to know who that is, because when Mr. Hill and Mr. Townsend get back, we have to tell them.”
Juli’s teeth were clenched, but he nodded. Matty was sure he was still worried about his dad, but there was nothing they could do to warn them. Information about the Russian was what they needed.
“Mom’s expecting us for Dinner,” Ronny said.
Lenny sighed. “Mine too, but let’s tell them we’re eating at Matty’s, then tell Matty’s mom we’re eating at Ronny’s.”
Matty hesitated. He did usually lie to his mom, but he couldn’t exactly tell her he was going to an old factory to spy on a corrupt mobster. “Okay.”
He went home and followed through on the plan. His mom had almost said no, but then he told her all the boys were going. She relented and told him to be safe.
The factory was an old building where they used to make pencils. Now it was just another one of the empty structures around Nowhere. It was not one of the gang’s usual haunts. It took about half an hour to walk there from Miller’s Pub, which meant they had about fifteen minutes to wait before the Russian would arrive.
Like all the deserted buildings in Nowhere, this place was run down. Matty walked around to the back. The door there was only partially closed—it had been jimmied.
“This way,” Matty called to the others.
Matty pushed his way into the death trap—a structure so damaged he wondered how it was still standing. There were several holes in the ceiling where the wooden floorboards had been busted through, and the entire downstairs was cluttered with random pieces of broken-down equipment, things that looked too big or too old to move. The guys followed him in. Aside from a few random footprints, dust covered everything like a thin fuzzy carpet.
“There’s a lot of dust,” Matty said, stating the obvious.
“Come on”—Juli motioned for him to follow—“we need a place to hide.”
Matty raised his eyebrows. “Up there?”
Ronny and Lenny were already on the stairs.
Juli glanced around the room, “Where else is there?”
Juli was right. The upstairs looked dangerous, but there was no place for them to hide on the first floor. Watching his step, he followed Juli up the stairs.
The second floor was dark and virtually empty. A couple of crumpled boxes were along the wall, but there was nothing to hide behind if anyone came up to investigate. Ronny and Lenny were huddled around one of the larger holes Matty had seen from below. He surveyed the room for the best place to stand. He hoped the darkness would provide enough cover from anyone looking up. He didn’t want the Russian seeing them.
The floorboard under Matty’s foot flexed and creaked. “Watch your step,” Matty said, as he cautiously made his way around the missing floorboards.
Matty scanned the area for the best escape route. He noticed a second set of stairs toward the front. He investigated, finding them littered with old pencil boxes and other forgotten trash—nothing he could get past if he needed another way out. He was about to tell the guys when a car pulled up outside. From the sound of it, the car parked behind the factory, near the door they’d used to enter.
Matty started back toward the others, but froze when the back door creaked open.
Lenny shifted his weight causing one of the boards to flex.
“Waters, is that you?” the Russian called out.
Nobody moved.
Matty panicked when he heard the Russian’s footsteps on the stairs. His heart beat faster. Everyone tried to stay very quiet. Lenny crossed himself, then Ronny did the same. Matty silently prayed the Russian would just turn around.
His mouth was dry and his palms were clammy as the footsteps came closer. His eyes widened when he saw the top of the Russian’s head. Quietly, he lowered himself into a crouching position. Thankfully the boards didn’t groan under his weight. In another second it wouldn’t matter; the Russian would clear the stairs and see him squatting there. He considered bolting for the front stairs, but that wouldn’t stop the Russian from seeing the others.
Matty was practically sitting on the floor when another car pull up outside. He breathed a sigh of relief as the Russian turned and headed back downstairs. He used the distraction and the Russian’s own noise to mask the sound he made as he joined the others around one of the holes in the floor.
Lenny’s eyes widened when Police Chief Waters walked in the back door moments later. Matty wasn’t as surprised as Lenny to see the chief, because he’d always thought the man was on the take, but to see that he was working with the Russian against the organization—that was unexpected.
“Do you have the money?” Waters asked.
“Of course,” the Russian said. “Do we have a deal?”
“I get fifteen percent right?”
“Yeah.”
Waters chuckled. “Then we have a deal. I’ll start the raids this weekend. I’m planning to hit the Kitty Kat nightclub first.”
“What will you tell Hill?”
“I’ll say it was a directive from the top, that I had no choice.”
“Will he believe you?”
“Does it matter?” Waters grinned. “When your man makes his move, Hill will be out of the picture, and I start getting paid.”
A wicked smirk crossed the Russian’s face. “You’re right. It doesn’t matter. So, you’re hitting the Kat—then what?”
Waters’ smile widened. “Deuces Wild and then the
candy store.”
The Russian let out a long whistle. “You play hardball, chief. You’re going to hit him where it hurts, his women, his money, and his drugs. I’m glad you’re on my side.”
“I’m on the side with the most money.” Waters held out his hand.
The Russian pulled a fat envelope from his jacket and handed it to Waters.
Waters thumbed through the stack of bills, then slid the envelope into his jacket.
Matty couldn’t believe it. The Russian—actually the unknown man the Russian was really working for—had just hired Chief Waters to remove protection for Hill’s businesses. This unknown was trying to take over everything in Nowhere. Was he also the one that killed Parrish?
The floor under Lenny creaked. The two men below paused their conversation.
“What was that?” Waters asked, scanning the room.
A second later the boards under Lenny snapped and gave way. He fell through to the first floor.
“Damn it,” Waters yelled, “—it’s Hill’s kid!”
“Run,” Ronny screamed, then headed for the back stairs.
Juli took off toward Ronny, but Matty knew taking the back stairs was a bad idea, unfortunately it was too late to save Ronny. He grabbed Juli by the arm. “No, this way.” He pulled him toward the front stairs.
Matty quickly dodged the clutter and made it to the first floor. He kicked at the door, which was practically falling off its hinges, but it didn’t give. Juli joined him, slamming his foot against the door on Matty’s second kick. It opened. He and Juli took off, running as fast as possible back toward Miller’s Pub.
~#~
Lenny crashed to the ground landing on his right knee. He heard Ronny yell “Run,” and then footsteps in opposite directions.
He looked up, just as the Russian reached for him. Waters headed for the back door. Pain shot through Lenny’s knee as the Russian jerked him to his feet. Keeping a tight grip on Lenny’s arm, the Russian pushed him toward the back. Lenny watched, helpless, as Waters grabbed Ronny, who was coming down the stairs.
Ronny struggled to get free, until Waters shoved a gun in his face. “What are these kids doing here?” Waters shouted.
“How the hell should I know?” the Russian barked.
A loud crash sounded from the front. It had to be Matty and Juli—good, they’d get help.
“Shit,” the Russian cursed, looking toward the front.
“You’re dead now,” Lenny said to the Russian.
Fuming the Russian pulled him out the back door, following Waters back to his squad car.
Waters cuffed Ronny.
“Move, kid,” the Russian growled, pushing Lenny against the hood of the car.
Waters shoved Ronny in the back of the patrol car. He slammed the door and grabbed another set of handcuffs, tossing them to the Russian. “This better get sorted.”
“I know where they’re going. It won’t be a problem.” The Russian looked at Lenny and smiled, cuffing him, then shoving him in beside Ronny and shutting the door.
“Shit,” Ronny whispered. “I hope Juli and Matty got away.”
“Shhhh. I want to hear what they’re saying.”
The two men remained outside the car talking. Waters looked pissed. “You better get the other two before they get to Hill. I’m taking these boys to the station. I’ll make sure they forget what they heard. You take care of the others.”
Lenny’s eyes widened—what was Waters planning?
The Russian nodded, glancing through the window at Lenny, knowing he was listening. “What are you charging them with?”
“Fighting,” Waters said.
“They don’t look too beat up.”
Waters grinned. “Not yet, but they will.”
~#~
Matty was out of breath by the time he reached Miller’s Pub. Juli looked just as winded as they threw open the doors to the bar. Tweedle-Dum stopped them as they entered.
“Hill wants to see you,” he said, motioning toward the back.
Matty heard Juli release a breath—he was relieved too. Unfortunately, Hill wasn’t the one sitting behind the desk in the back room.
It was the Russian. He’d beaten them back to the pub. No one else was here—Mr. Hill and Mr. Townsend must still be in the city.
Matty tried to make a break for the back door, but the Tweedle clamped his hand down on his shoulder, causing him to wince. Tweedle-Dum gave it a squeeze—harder than Matty thought was necessary. Juli was being held the same way; both of them were trapped. Matty looked into the Russian’s eyes—his stare was cold and angry.
The Russian’s voice was calm when he said, “What have you boys been up to today? Anything exciting?”
Tweedle-Dum gave Matty’s shoulder another squeeze, harder this time.
“You won’t get away with this.” Matty said.
The Russian chuckled. “Do you really think I’ll let a little bastard like you derail the operation?”
Tweedle-Dum laughed.
“Mr. Hill will—”
“Do nothing,” the Russian cut Matty off, “because he isn’t going to hear about this—that is if you want him to live.” Looking at Juli, he added, “your pops too, Townsend. He’ll be eliminated if you two cause problems.”
Juli straightened.
“Where’s Ronny and Lenny?” Matty asked.
The Russian smirked. “Waters is taking care of them. I hear juvenile hall is such a nice place this time of year.”
Juli bristled. “Mr. Hill will get them out. Waters isn’t the only—”
“Not this time,” the Russian said coolly. “Waters will make sure those boys are in lock-up for at least a year.”
“You’re lying,” Matty said.
Shaking his head, the Russian looked up at Tweedle-Dum. Matty held back a scream as the goon tightened his grip. “You’re going to go home and pretend none of this ever happened. If you don’t I’ll make sure you both end up in the hospital … or worse.”
The Tweedle dropped down between Matty and Juli’s heads, “Or worse,” he said, smiling.
Matty’s eyes locked with the Russian’s. He wouldn’t show weakness. Mr. Hill would protect them.
The Russian chuckled. “I can tell what you’re thinking kid, but give it up. Hill is old news. He can be run out of business or taken to the bridge—I don’t really care either way.” Matty started to argue, but the Russian wasn’t finished with his threat. “And don’t think we’ll stop there. If either of you talk, everyone pays.” The Russian stared at Matty, eyes cold. “Do you want your mother hurt, Matty?” He stared at Juli. “What about you, Jullian? We can get to anyone we want. No one is safe.”
“My father will kill you,” Juli said defiantly.
The Russian got up from behind the desk. Tweedle-Dum walked Matty and Juli back a step as the Russian approached. Without warning the Russian smacked Juli across the face hard enough to knock him to the ground. He reached down and picked Juli up. He brought Juli’s face, which was red where he’d been hit, within inches of his own.
“Juli,” the Russian said, “can I call you Juli? I’m not scared of your father. But you better get scared of me.”
The Russian pushed Juli back down then returned to the desk. Matty reached out to help Juli up, but Tweedle-Dum held him back as he roughly pulled Juli to his feet.
“Power is changing hands boys, and you need to pick the right side.” The Russian said. “Hill isn’t the right side.”
Matty looked over at Juli. The red skin around eye was beginning to swell.
“Now you two have a choice to make. You can either forget about what you know, or we’ll kill you and everyone you love. Am I being clear?”
Matty didn’t really have a choice. He wouldn’t risk his mother’s safety. Even if the Russian didn’t get to everyone before he was stopped, Matty wouldn’t gamble with his mother’s life. He looked at Juli again. The Russian said if anyone talked then everyone would pay—would Juli agree to keep quiet? Jul
i didn’t look at Matty.
Matty was about to agree, when Juli spoke. “We have a deal,” he said, quietly.
“Matty?” the Russian asked.
“Yeah, me too,” Matty agreed.
The Russian smiled. “Good.”
“What about Ronny and Lenny?”
“Waters will handle them, but I’m sure they’ll get the same deal. Now go home. I don’t want to see you two hanging around.”
The Tweedle shoved Matty and Juli toward the back door. Matty looked back at the Russian. How he wanted to wipe that grin off the man’s face.
The Russian didn’t lose his smirk. “Don’t forget, if anyone talks then everyone pays.”
Matty followed Juli away from the pub. Juli was leading him toward the hideout. He ran to catch up.
Grabbing Juli’s shoulder, Matty said, “I don’t think we should do that right now. What if he catches us?”
Juli pulled away from Matty’s grip. “I just want to see if he calls Waters about Ronny. You don’t have to come if you don’t want.”
Matty didn’t want to leave Juli alone. He followed him into the hideout.
The Russian was standing at the desk facing away from the windows, the phone already at his ear as Matty settled into place. He barely heard anything, and nothing was audible enough to catch the gist of the conversation. After the call the Russian and Tweedle-Dum left Miller’s Pub.
Matty remained quiet until he heard the Russian’s car pull away. “Do you think Lenny’s okay? He fell pretty far.”
“I don’t know,” Juli said, touching his eye where the Russian had hit him.
“How’s your eye? It doesn’t look good.”
“It’s fine,” Juli snapped, lowering his hand.
Matty knew it had to hurt, but he wasn’t going to push his friend.
“Are you keeping the deal?” Juli finally asked.
“I have to. My mom is all I have. I don’t want them to hurt her …what about you?”
“They’re probably the ones that killed Parrish, so I don’t think the Russian was bluffing about not being afraid of my dad … I don’t want them to hurt my mom either.”
“It should be safe to leave now. We better go before they get back.”
Juli nodded.