Hard Case: Boxed Set Books 1,2 & 3 (John Harding Books)

by Bernard Lee DeLeo

  I accepted the envelope Lora handed me while Marla delivered my drinks.

  “Pace yourself, Champ,” Marla needled me.

  “I will, Mommy.”

  Marla laughed and slapped me on the back of the head before returning to the bar. I opened the envelope and read the letter inside. It seemed Tess had an offer from a firm back in Boston she’d been contemplating along with my offer. Today’s cluster-fuck decided things for her. She wanted no more to do with Government Inc. or me for that matter. Among the niceties like ‘I’ll always care for you, John’ and she ‘hoped to see me again one day’, the bottom line was Tess had packed a few things before getting the hell out of Dodge. I can’t say I blamed her but it did leave me high and dry for a lawyer. Yeah, Tess was a special friend, and I’d miss her; but we were oil and water – we didn’t mix well, and she’d nearly been killed playing around in my world. I folded away the envelope into my pocket and smiled reassuringly at Lora who had been watching me closely.

  “That was a quick turnaround.”

  “Tess called me over to her place. She told me what had happened while she packed. She also told me how bad she feels about leaving you in the lurch with your business. I know she had contacts with the government through her old firm and you were going to use her already built-up relationships with them.”

  I wish Tess would have scrammed without involving her sister. She could have mailed the letter to me. Now, Lora knows too much. “May I suggest forgetting everything she’s told you for your own safety?”

  Lora smiled with a similar know-it-all look I’d seen gracing Tess’s face before she learned the facts of life in covert society. “She’d been drinking while packing. My Mom volunteered to drive with her and the cat back to Boston and see some old friends. Tess told me everything. She left the gun you gave her with me.”

  There’s some good news. Lora gets a little impatient when I simply sip my Beam without comment. I figure what’s the use of being drawn into a conversation with no exit strategy. Lora nudges me.

  “Well?”

  “Well what? Believe what you want, Lora. You know everything so what is it you want from me? If you’re dopey enough to start playing games with your daughter’s life at risk, then keep shooting your mouth off. I suggest you remember what happened to your sister in your decision making processes.”

  “You’re wound a little tight… even with chugging what you’re putting down. I don’t want anything from you. I want a job application. Alice getting used as a Russian gangster’s family scenario convinced me it doesn’t matter what the hell I do, I can’t protect her. Maybe I could learn how from you.”

  Okay, she has my attention. Lora doesn’t look away when I decide to bond a little with my patented death stare. Just like with Tess, I’m not Lora’s mommy, and I like redheads. Did I feel a twinge of regret Tess dumped me and my business? Yep. Was I going into mourning over it? Nope. “For conversation’s sake, why not relocate to where your ex lives in Arizona and what exactly do you think you’d be applying for, Lora?”

  “I love the Bay Area weather. I’m not moving to that damn furnace. Tess probably never told you but I have a master’s degree in psychology and-”

  “Big whoop.”

  “And a BA degree in accounting. I also worked five years for a law firm in Boston as an intern during my college years. In addition to that I worked as an intern in Washington D.C. for a couple of years.”

  Hello. “Tess told me your Mom helped you and Chuck while you both attended college. I have an associate who knows business. What the hell would I need with a bookkeeper?”

  “I don’t look like an East Oakland leg-breaker. You need an attractive presence out front. I know what you do and I don’t care.”

  “You know what Tess knows. Don’t assume you know me. If you did, you’d have put the envelope in a mailbox which is what I figure Tess intended for you to do.”

  Lora giggled – a rather attractive sound. “She did. I carefully avoided any mention of getting in touch with you because I knew she wouldn’t like it. I saw the looks she gave us when I hugged you in the school parking lot. I also felt your interest rising, too, by the way.”

  The Bud and Beam’s were having their effect on me because the older sis was starting to grow on me. My objection to this was I didn’t need a former law intern. I needed a real lawyer. She read my mind.

  “I know you need a lawyer. My expertise is I am a great recruiter of good talent. You want an up and comer with skill and no clients. I’ll find one for you and act as go between. I’ll work for a third what you planned on giving Tess. The rest can be used for our law associate – one who knows our business comes first. In the meantime I’ll start working on my own law degree.”

  I take a swallow of beer while my addled brain absorbs Lora’s proposal. Damn… this was raining on my little celebration. I should have known. “I’m going to get something to eat. Want to join me? Where’s Alice by the way?”

  “She’s staying overnight with a friend. She has me on speed dial. I’ll have something with you if you’re eating.”

  Once we were settled at a dining table I watched Lora while sipping my beer, wondering what the hell I was doing even talking to her. Marla came over after giving us a few minutes to look over the menu.

  “What can I get you folks… or just you, Ms.? I already know the champ here wants a turkey sandwich and fries.”

  Lora laughed with me. She ordered the same and a cup of coffee. After Marla walked away Lora began what she thought was a sales pitch. “Tess doesn’t blame you for what’s happened.”

  No sale. There are a lot of things I’ll let be implied as my fault. Endangering Tess ain’t one of them. “That’s good because it was her own damn fault she ended up in danger. She had delusions of grandeur like I see dancing around in your eyes. The business proposition was not related directly to her involving herself in my government relationship. She did that all on her own. What is it you’re actually auditioning for, Lora?”

  “I see you as a guy who knows how to make money. Tess acts like a liberal airhead sometimes, although I was just as bad with that situation with Alice. It runs in our family. This new business venture of yours in a place like Oakland could make a lot of money. I’m not independently wealthy. I owe my Mom a small fortune and I just lost my job as a medical receptionist. Tess claims you do a lot of things that would scare the shit out of me. Is it possible to work for you without getting involved with your extracurricular government activities?”

  Maybe. “That’s what I’d planned for Tess. What happened to her today was unfortunately as much a surprise to me as it was to her. We didn’t use her as bait. Someone sold us out that is no longer working for the government. Your verbal resume is impressive, especially since you’ve dealt with politicians and lawyers. This area is a cesspool of both.”

  Marla arrived with our meals and another beer for me. We ate in comfortable silence which was kind of nice. My buzz didn’t get turned over completely with food but I knew better than to pursue it. Next time I wanted to celebrate, and I didn’t need to troll for info from the OPD, I’d do my celebrating in front of my own big screen. Lora was easy on the eyes, but thinking through a business relationship with her did not appeal to me tonight.

  “I’ll go over what you said tonight after I get a good night’s sleep, Lora. Give me your number and I’ll call you with what I decide.”

  Lora took a quick gulp of coffee before she spoke. “Hey, are you dismissing me, Dark Lord?”

  “Dark Lord?”

  “Yeah, you know, like in the video games with Darth Vader. If you blow up enough stuff you get a Dark Lord trophy. You sound like you’re giving me the imperial bum’s rush and you do look like what I’d imagine the Dark Lord would look like.” She laughed at my look of complete bewilderment. “I guess you don’t play many video games.”

  I tried to switch from confused look to fake outrage. “I’ve seen ‘Star Wars’ and I object to being compa
red to Darth Vader. I’m more of a Han Solo.”

  “More like Chewbacca.”

  “The Dark Lord takes no disrespect from underlings!” I used my bass, gravel voice to represent the Dark Lord. Lora cracked up. “You will regret insulting the Dark Lord!”

  By now I was getting a few laughs from the regulars seated around at other tables. I decided to quit the comedy act while I was still ahead. Lora took a moment more before addressing the Dark Lord.

  “For a guy who does what you do you’re pretty funny.”

  “Remember the part about forgetting what I do outside of the business you’re applying for?”

  Lora bowed her head slightly. “Yes, Dark Lord. I only meant that Tess always described you as ‘Silent Bob’. You were funny at the school and now here you are riffing off my Dark Lord tease.”

  “Maybe that’s because your sister had a habit of starting every conversation with me by critiquing my existence. It’s hard being funny while listening to a diatribe about my shortcomings, which according to Tess were legion.”

  “Oh boy… I’m afraid we get that from my Mom. I’m in recovery but with my Mom living with me I’ve been backsliding lately. Did that bother you much?”

  “Nope. I kept my comic routine to myself though.”

  Lora patted my hand wrapped around my beer on the table. Then she held on to it. “Why don’t you come over to my place tonight? You can do your comedy act for me.”

  Woe there, Nelly. It’s not that I’m not attracted, but her sister split town after almost getting killed while involved in my affairs. “That’s a little creepy even for me, Lora.”

  Lora laughed. “Why? I promise to be on my best behavior, Dark Lord. Besides, Alice asked me if you could come to dinner this weekend.”

  Tuesday had been a day Jack Bauer would have pissed his pants living through. I’m not making plans anywhere past tonight. I still had the gig with Samira. Today was one of those days that can make you rethink new businesses, employees, and even dinner dates with beautiful redheads. “I’ll call you.”

  Lora studies me with a very slight upturn of her mouth. Unlike her sister, who would have been making rude comments about my turning her down, it didn’t look like Lora took it personally. She seemed to understand it had been one hell of a long day. I finish my Bud while allowing her to look me over like the cheat sheet for the next day’s big test. Lora comes to a decision and sits up straight, clasping hands atop the table as if waiting for the teacher to collect last night’s homework assignment. She leans forward with a whisper.

  “Come home with me, John. I’ll turn your world inside out. No one’s laid a hand on me since my husband dumped me for that teenage bimbo he’s living with in Arizona.”

  I sat up straight after hearing that. “Wow.”

  “Don’t make me beg, Dark Lord. I’ve wanted you since the school parking lot. I knew Tess would be too stupid to hold onto you with both hands. No strings attached. I’ll even sing ‘Angel of the Morning’ tomorrow when you leave me.”

  Did I mention what a rule breaker I was? Out the window goes caution and every damn common sense notion this was a bad idea. “Just touch your cheek before I leave you, huh?”

  Lora giggled enticingly at my line from the song. “You betcha’.”

  “Okay, maybe I am that easy. You’ll be gentle, right?”

  Lora laughed out loud as she started getting up. I put money on the table and followed her example when a nasal baritone barked out my name from somewhere near the side entrance like it was coughing up a lugy. “Harding!”

  “Stay in your seat, Lora.”

  Lora dropped back down instantly and I turned to look across the tables where everyone else was staring already. Yep, my ‘24’ episodic day needed this: Van Rankin and his posse. I thought Rankin would still be in intensive care. Here he was in a nearly full face mask and I’m sure by the stiffness of his movements a rib and back truss. The two guys with him are Mikhail Rowan and his buddy from the other night’s collection of Timmy and their friend Viktor. I see respect in their eyes so Alexi made sure they were with Rankin to curb him from doing something stupid. I walked up to the bar, leaning on it as I watched Rankin approach me stiffly.

  “One for the road, Champ.” Marla put a double Beam next to my hand. I love a barkeep with timing. I smiled my appreciation, sipping as Van plodded to me like Robbie the Robot. A few Oakland PD watched from their tables and the game room.

  “Hey Van, nice to see you up and around.” I nodded at Mikhail and his friend.

  Ever hear a nasal growl. It’s very unique.

  “Alexi told me you made a deal to fight me again. I wanted to hear it from you.”

  “It’s true.”

  I saw the face mask nod slightly in acceptance. “I will kill you… in the cage when we meet.”

  “Good to know, but as I recall, you were going to kill me the other night too. How’d that work out for you?”

  Laughter and chortles from the table nearly made Rankin go postal. His hand reached for me but Mikhail grabbed him.

  “Do not touch this man! Our orders are you confirm fight and we leave. Mr. Harding has confirmed the fight. Come… we must go.”

  Now, a nasal snarl as Rankin’s handlers pulled him gently around. “I kill you… Harding. I’ll maim you first… then kill you. You are dead!

  I toasted him with the rest of my Beam. “Do svidaniya, comrade!”

  Van bucks in his handlers’ arms but they keep him moving stiffly out the door with the sound of laughter from the bar as his parting music. A laughing Marla refills my double without asking.

  “Oh… Champ… that was entertainment. I think you better call it a career, John. Don’t get back in the cage with that guy unless they allow you to take a gun in with you.”

  I quaffed half the Beam. My buzz was returning with a very nice resurgence. “You too, Marla? First Tommy tells me I ain’t got a chance and now my favorite bartender?”

  A big jovial looking OPD named Nick Breen heard our conversation from his table nearby as the bar’s patrons had returned to their pursuits. “Best follow Marla’s advice, John. You got Rankin good. Duck that Godzilla bastard.”

  I threw the rest of my Beam down with a sigh. “Might as well put on an evening gown and high heels, Nick. Ain’t duckin’ anybody.”

  More laughter as I went to collect a surprised Lora… at least by the look on her face she was surprised. I left another hundred in addition to what was on the table at the bar while escorting Lora out the front. “Thanks Marla. Tonight made me forget all about today and that was a good thing.”

  “Goodnight, John. It’s always a pleasure. Don’t fight that goon.”

  I laughed. “Bet on Rankin if you want.”

  “Never happen.”

  Chapter Eighteen: New Partnership

  I opened the front door, peeking around for surprises I could see. I was moderately buzzed, not stupid. When things looked clear we walked out and Lora led me to her Toyota. She used her remote to unlock the doors and I held the door for her before going around and squeezing into the passenger side. Lora didn’t speak until we were on our way to her place. Those last two Beams were soothing me real good so I could have traveled the whole way in silence. Naturally, no one appreciates a good silence anymore.

  “I assume you did that to the monster in the face mask.”

  “Correcto.”

  “Why in the world would he want to fight you again?”

  “He made a big mistake rushing me at the fight’s start. I busted his face with a knee. He thinks it’ll be a different story when we fight again. So does my partner… and apparently the Warehouse Bar.”

  “Will they let him kill you if he can?”

  “Not if his manager gets the fight put on a UFC card… you know, Ultimate Fighting. They have no nonsense refs who don’t want any deaths in the cage. Mistakes can happen though.”

  “I’ve watched some UFC stuff. It’s brutal. From what Tess told me, your pickup f
ights are just as bad or worse. She told me you killed a guy in a MMA match and that’s why you have to fight outside. Can that guy’s manager really get you into the UFC?”

  “His manager is Alexi Fiialkov, the Russian mobster you met at the school.”

  Lora gasped. “Holy shit!”

  “It’s complicated. If you want, you can just drop me off at home.”

  “What makes you think I want to do that? I’m just surprised how interconnected things seem to be. You have quite the fan club at that bar.”

  “I try to stay on good terms with the OPD and that’s their bar in essence.”

  “Tess told me she bails you out of jail.”

  “I’ve been taken into custody for questioning. My records clean. Bond enforcement can be a little tricky. I make enemies occasionally that try to get payback.”

  “That’s what put you in the paper with that Ishmael guy- payback?”

  She saw that too. “Pretty much.” I change the subject. “You live over in the Washington Manor area of San Leandro near that Corvallis Elementary school Alice attends, right?”

  Lora nodded. “We rent a house on Wiley. They have some teacher’s meeting at the school tomorrow which is why I let Alice stay overnight with her friend. Since I’m off work for now I can take you home before I pick up Alice in the morning. That is… if you want to wait around instead of brushing my cheek, calling me angel in the morning, and calling a cab.”

  “The cab will work better.”

  Lora doesn’t say anything. As we get closer to her house I can tell she’s getting nervous. She keeps repositioning her hands like a race car driver on the final lap at Daytona. It had been a little cool in the bar so I hadn’t seen what Lora had on under her coat. Sensing my attention, Lora glanced over at me in the dark. I couldn’t tell much. She ran her right hand over my thigh.

  “I’m a little nervous. I probably shouldn’t have had the coffee. Are you nervous?”

  “The Dark Lord doesn’t get nervous!”

  My gravel voiced imitation made her laugh. I’m getting a kick out of this Dark Lord business. I think I’ll start practicing a few skits on Tommy. He’ll probably have me committed the second time I try it on him.