by Paul Harry
Paige nodded and got up. “I’m going to take a shower now.”
Daniel sighed as she slipped away into the other room. He heard the water running through the pipes in the wall and wished to all hell that he was in that shower with her. He’d have given anything for that.
Stripping down to his underwear, Daniel turned off the lights and crawled under the blankets. As he lay there he watched the fire, popping and crackling. It was a nice sound. He heard the water shut off and imagined Paige drying herself−oh, that body. The thought was too much. Looking at the wall separating her room from his, he watched as her shadowy figure came into view. He really didn’t see much. His eyes weren’t that good or powerful enough, but he still saw her naked outline and wished to all hell that he could be with her.
Suddenly the door to her room opened and Paige appeared standing in the doorway. “You’re watching me? Aren’t you?” she stated matter-of-factly.
Daniel felt like a little boy getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “No,” he managed to cough out. “I wouldn’t do that.”
Paige grinned at him as she walked over to the couch, a large towel wrapped around her body. Daniel looked up, taking in her wet hair and the bright smile that lit her face. Under the glow of the firelight he was forced to catch his breath−she was without a doubt a vision. “Come on, Superman,” she said with a smug laugh. “It’s too cold to be sleeping out here alone.” She grabbed the blankets covering him and threw them aside, noting the erection in his underwear. The look on her face suddenly became mischievous as she took him by the hand and led him to the bedroom. “Come on, Superman,” she quipped. “Let’s find out if you have any other super powers.”
Chapter 9
The Way Home
Mickey was fucking pissed. After spending half the day looking up and down the streets of Santa Cruz for Daniel, he’d given up. The kid was nowhere to be found. With his body aching from being hit by the truck and all his walking, Mickey was spent. There had to be an easier way. Then it dawned on him. He knew where the piss-ant lived and the kid had to go home sometime. Mickey grinned at the simplicity of the idea. He’d just go back to Santa Clara and wait for him.
Retrieving his car, Mickey drove back up the coast to Daniel’s home. On the way he stopped off at the grocery store and picked up some supplies, then made his way back to Los Gatos. Driving past Daniel’s home several times, he assured himself the place was still deserted. He knew it was only a matter of time. Sooner or later someone would return. He just needed to hide out until then. Sitting alongside the street with his binoculars, Mickey studied the house. As he waited he got a call. He glanced at his phone−it was Benny. “Fock,” he muttered under his breath, no way was he answering. He killed the phone and set it aside, sliding down into his seat to grab a quick nap.
* * * *
Judy’s heart was pounding as her feet slapped the sidewalk on her morning run. The early morning air was cold, and her breath was chugging like a locomotive heading full steam across the intersection of Jones and Blue Diamond road. It was ironic she thought, as she turned west toward the Spring Mountains. There just several miles ahead was the new Blue Diamond Hotel, a forty story blue-glass high rise dominating the west end of the Vegas Valley. It was the latest addition to Las Vegas and the newest legacy built by the one crook she’d never been able to bust−Benny Marcos. Judy shook her head. The guy was as smooth as oil on glass, with a team of attorneys always one step ahead of her and her team. It was aggravating to say the least.
Putting her frustration aside, Judy focused on her run. It was all she could do for the moment−someday, she thought, someday I’ll get you. Her cell phone rang. “Yeah” she gasped, answering the call in between heavy breaths. “Salinski, here... yeah, Mimi... what’s up?”
Mimi’s voice brought Judy’s run to a cold stop. “Judy, I just got a call from Joseph Curry’s secretary in San Jose. She told me that their office was broken into over the weekend and that there was a message from Daniel Raye on their answering machine. The message said that Mickey, ‘the Spoon’ was at his house and that he tried to kill him.”
“Are you shitting me?” Judy yelled into the phone. “When did this happen?”
“I don’t know?” answered Mimi, “Looks like Saturday night. She’s called the police and they’re investigating the break in as we speak. I also called the Santini residence, but got nothing−there was no response on the aunt’s cell phone either.”
“Jesus,” swore Judy, pacing back and forth. “Okay, first things first. We need to find out what’s going on? Have you contacted the San Jose office?”
“Not yet, I wanted to let you know what the situation was.”
“Okay... call them right now and tell them to get some people out to Daniel’s house immediately and Curry’s office as well. We need to see who’s been compromised and when. I just hope we’re not too late.”
“Will do,” responded Mimi..
“And get me on anything going to San Jose−corporate, private, military whatever,” Judy instructed. She noted her whereabouts. “I’m about three miles from my home and it’ll take me about thirty minutes to get back and shower. Have someone ready to pick me up in an hour and get me to the airport. I’ll call you back then.”
Judy ended the call with a quick slap to her phone. She then broke into a run, fear forcing her stride into a gallop.
* * * *
“Where do you get the energy?” asked Paige, laughing with Daniel under the covers.
Daniel kissed her and pulled her close. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen and those eyes...”
Paige laughed again. “You don’t get out much, do you?”
“No, seriously, I mean it.”
“You’re too nice,” she replied, giving him another soft, tender kiss.
Daniel wanted to tell her that she was the first, but he suspected she already knew. The night between them had been the most wonderful experience of his life and he wasn’t eager to see it end. Unfortunately though, it was getting light outside and he had to get back to Santa Clara and his family.
It was nearly seven by the time the two got out of bed. Daniel hit the shower while Paige made coffee and breakfast. He joined her in the kitchen.
“I hope you like eggs, bacon, and toast” she said. “I’m not the greatest of cooks.”
“As long as they’re not raw,” he quipped.
“Smart-ass,” she replied, pouring him a cup of coffee.
Sitting across from Paige, the two began to eat when Daniel took notice of the TV on the counter and the morning news on the screen. There were several commentators discussing the opening of a new hotel in Las Vegas, The Blue Diamond. Daniel heard one of them announce: “And coming up next, after our commercial break, our own Tori Landis, and her one on one interview with Benny Marcos, direct from Las Vegas.”
The screen flipped to a commercial.
Dropping his fork, Daniel was on his feet, heading for the TV. He jacked up the volume which blasted out the commercials. Paige watched him curiously.
“What gives?” she asked. “My breakfast that bad?”
“No, of course not,” he said, shooting her a quick look. “It’s this guy, the one they’re talking about. I think he’s the one who ordered my father’s death.”
“You’re shittin’ me?” exclaimed Paige, joining him.
Daniel shook his head and the two stood alongside one another waiting for the commercials to end. It seemed to take forever, but shortly the news returned and on the screen appeared Benny Marcos with Tori Landis. Daniel and Paige watched in silence. The interview was recorded, having taken place the night before at the Blue Diamond’s grand opening.
“Good Morning, Reno. This is Tori Landis, here in fabulous Las Vegas for the grand opening of the Blue Diamond. And here with me is Benny Marcos, the owner and CEO of Las Vegas’ new legacy, the Blue Diamond. Mr. Marcos, might I say it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Than
k you, Tori,” Benny responded.
Daniel watched intently as the camera focused on Benny. The guy was tall, of slender build−a good looking, lawyer type dressed in an expensive suit. On his hands were several good-sized diamond rings, including one with a large blue diamond. The cameraman made sure the audience got a good look.
“So Mr. Marcos, how does it feel to have staged one of the grandest, grand openings in Las Vegas history? The fireworks were spectacular!”
“Tori, what can I say? My people worked very hard to have this opening be the crown jewel of Las Vegas,” Benny enthused.
“I also understand you had a record turnout and an unprecedented monetary return for a Las Vegas opening,” noted Tori.
Benny feigned ignorance and bypassed the question like a slick politician. “Well we’re still tabulating the figures,” he said offhandedly, “but I will say this...” He looked directly into the camera. “I want to thank everyone in Las Vegas who took the time to attend our gala... without the people of Nevada supporting our success we wouldn’t be here today. So thank you, Las Vegas!”
On that note, the TV picture shifted back to the newsroom in Reno and Daniel slammed his fist on the counter. “What a God-damn douche-bag,” he swore. “I’m going to get that prick if it’s the last thing I do.”
Paige rubbed Daniel’s arm. “How?” she asked.
Daniel shook his head. “I’m not sure. But there’s got to be a way. I’ve got to find some way to prove that he killed my father. Listen, can I use your cell?”
“Sure, it’s in my purse. Who you gonna call?”
“I want to try and reach Judy Salinski with the FBI in Vegas − and give her a heads up on things.”
Paige retrieved her cell only to find it dead. “Jesus,” she swore, showing it to Daniel. “I keep forgetting to put this thing on the charger. We’ll have to wait until we get in the car. We can charge it on the way.”
Daniel was disappointed, but there seemed to be no other option. He and Paige left the condo about a half an hour later.
* * * *
Mickey sat on the hillside watching the Santini home from a safe distance. Hidden amongst the vegetation he studied the house through his binoculars, looking to see what was going on. Initially, early in the morning, there had been a flurry of activity with police coming and going and then animal control. They stopped by to retrieve the dog he’d shot earlier−he saw them take the pooch’s body out the back and leave. After that, everything grew quiet with only one police car staying to watch over the place.
About an hour later another car arrived, unmarked, but official looking. Two suits got out, one male, one female. They met with the cop who’d been watching the house and were still talking to him when a third vehicle pulled up, a black and white. Exiting that car were two women, a young girl and an older woman and the cop who drove. Mickey was pretty sure it was the two who lived there−especially when he saw the young one run in, then back out, balling her head off as the old woman hugged her. Yeah, kid, your dog’s dead, snickered Mickey. Mutt got what it deserved.
Mickey waited for another half hour to see if there was any more movement from the police. There wasn’t much−except one cop car leaving. That left the unmarked car and the black and white−two cars and three cops. Mickey didn’t like the odds, especially since there was no sign of Daniel. The kid was still on the lam.
Mickey felt backed into a corner. If Benny found out the kid was still alive, it was over for him, and his death wouldn’t be pleasant. He had to find out where Daniel was hiding and that meant he had to get into that house. Sighing with resignation, Mickey decided it was time to get down there and take care of business. He just needed to get in without being seen, but how? He was pondering that very question when he spotted a UPS truck making its rounds. Perfect, he thought, just what I need.
Mickey got his car and drove down to where he last saw the delivery truck. After a few minutes of back tracking he found the guy two streets over. He followed the parcel van and waited for the precise moment when the driver was preoccupied and in an isolated location. Two deliveries later Mickey had his opportunity. He parked his car and walked to the truck. When the driver returned from his delivery Mickey was there waiting with his gun behind his back.
“ey…” Mickey said, waving his free hand. “Ken yah teel me where Los Gatos Circle is? Aye think aye may ‘ave taken a wrong turn.”
“Sure,” responded the driver with a friendly nod. He walked around the van and stepped out into the street and pointed down the road. It was the last thing he did. Mickey shoved his gun under his rib cage and fired, point blank, killing the guy instantly.
The driver collapsed in Mickey’s arms as he pushed him into the back of the van. As he lay there, Mickey stripped him of his UPS hat, brown jacket and keys. He then drove off with the truck, taking it to a secluded location, where he parked alongside the road. Climbing into the back of the van Mickey rooted around for a large box−one that could easily hide his face. Finding one, he emptied it out and put his gun inside. He re-taped the box, then cut a hole in it large enough for his hand to slide through. He was ready.
Mickey drove to the Santini residence and pulled the van up the driveway, parking it between the house and the cop car, effectively blocking anyone inside the house from seeing what was going to occur. Jumping out the door on the right side of the van, Mickey came face to face with the cop who was getting out of his vehicle to check him out.
“...’ey,” said Mickey, waving a clipboard. “Delivery for the Santini’s.”
“I’ll need to see...” was all the cop said before Mickey ran him through with his knife. A quick upper thrust with a nasty twist was all it took and the cop was dead. Mickey pulled him close and jostled him to the door of the truck, shoving him inside. He then grabbed the delivery box he’d made, carrying it in front of him as he approached the front door. He rang the bell.
Judy Salinski answered the door unprepared for Mickey’s appearance. She assumed the UPS guy was legit−that the cop had checked him out. It was a near fatal mistake. As their eyes met, Mickey and Judy recognized one another instantaneously; only for her it was too late. Mickey’s hand was already on his gun in the box and he plugged Judy twice, catching her in the shoulder and collar bone. She fell backwards into the house as Mickey burst in. The other agent with Judy wasn’t nearly so lucky. As he exited the kitchen Mickey caught him with two rounds in the chest. He was dead on the floor in the blink of an eye.
Hearing the commotion from upstairs, Ethyl and Katie raced down the stairs to see what was going on, only to find themselves face to face with Mickey. The mobster waved his gun at them, ordering them into the living room where he could keep an eye on them. He then stripped Judy of her weapon and was about to kill her when Ethyl began yelling.
“Don’t! ... Don’t kill her,” she screamed.
Mickey looked up at the old woman, his face twisted in anger. “And why noot?” he spat.
Ethyl was no dummy. She knew who she was facing. Judy had filled her in. “You’re here for my nephew, Daniel−aren’t you?”
Mickey nodded. “Aye am.”
“Then you’ll need her. He’s blind, you know; and he won’t come near here if she’s dead. He won’t come near here if any of us are dead. They have a secret code−a code that tells him everyone is safe. She arranged it over the phone this morning.”
Mickey grunted to himself. “Fock,” he muttered under his breath. He looked at Judy lying on the floor bleeding. She was a mess and definitely not a threat. “Fock,” he swore again, the old bitch might be right. “Okay,” he said, “take care of the cunt, but no funny business.”
Seeing her only chance to save Judy, Ethyl moved in. “Come on, Katie, give me a hand. The two of them moved Judy over to the couch where Ethyl began first aid.
* * * *
It was almost ten by the time Paige and Daniel got out of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and into an area where Daniel could make a phone call
. He dialed home and listened as the phone rang−the answering machine finally picking up. When the machine beeped Daniel began talking.
“Hey! Aunt Ethyl... Katie... it’s me. Anyone there? I hope you guys are all right. I’m almost home...”
Hearing Daniel’s voice put Mickey into action. He yelled at Katie. “Get me the fockin’ phone,” he ordered.
The young girl bolted for the phone and handed it to Mickey, who hit the speak button. “...‘ello, piss-ant,” he said.
Daniel was stunned. “What the fuck are you...”
Paige sensed something was wrong. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
Daniel waved her off as Mickey spoke in his ear. “All right yah little fock. Listen up. Aye’ve got yur fockin’ precious little family right ‘ere and aye’m ready tae cut their throats − yah wanna see ‘em alive, yah better get ‘ere damn quick.”
“Don’t you hurt them, asshole. I swear,” Daniel responded.
“Yur not inna position tae be making demands piss-ant. Now where the fock are yah?”
Daniel covered the phone with his hand. “Where are we?” he asked Paige, in a panic.
“Interstate eighty, almost to Sacramento...” she replied.
Daniel reiterated her answer to Mickey.
Mickey glanced at his watch. “Yah got till noon, boy. Yah call the cops they’re dead − anything funny, aye’ll cut ‘em ear tae ear − the young won first!”
The phone line went dead and Daniel went blank, white as a ghost. He began to shake and Paige recognized immediately that something was terribly wrong. “What is it?” she asked.
“He’s there − in the house,” he answered. “He’s got Katie and my Aunt.”
Daniel’s eyes began to water as a sense of helplessness overtook him.
“Jesus Christ,” swore Paige.