Bloody Shadows

by Bernard Lee DeLeo

  Gus shut the door behind him, and reset the security code. “Damn, Nick. I can imagine you feeding off this, poking the hornets’ nest the second it settles down.”

  “I do no such thing. Rachel and Jean do not require any outside help to instigate an act of war. They light each other off at every opportunity. Deke and I are only neutral observers.”

  Jean skipped ahead with Deke as usual, leaving Gus with an opportunity to inquire about Nick’s next steps, knowing from experience that ignorance was never bliss with El Muerto. “You hinted at drawing Tim and Grace into this. Do you have something vague in mind for this stunt, or are you playing it by ear?”

  “We have two loose ends: Brook Wargul, Sadun’s lawyer, and Sadun. Since Wargul’s operating out of his office in San Francisco, I’m going to track him, and shoot him in the head from long range. Then, I’ll get Tim and Grace to argue a case for moving Sadun away from the Federal Penitentiary at Atwater. They leave the prison with Sadun in custody. I blow a tire out on their US Marshal mobile. Tim or Grace fake a crash off the road, just enough to fire the airbags, and I grab Sadun for a gab session at John’s place. Easy Peasy.”

  “Will you for God’s sake stop using that term? It’s more annoying than your murderous assassin rampages.”

  “That’s hurtful, Payaso.”

  “Speaking of hurtful, are you expecting trouble today at the school? We’ve had so much happen since yesterday, I’d forgotten all about the riot you instigated at Jean’s school.”

  “I won’t dignify that scurrilous accusation with any reply whatsoever.”

  “In other words, you think there may very well be more problems at the school. Did you catch a news flash the rent-a-mob would be back?”

  Nick shook his head. “I haven’t had time to listen to the news. We both know the media though. If they spied any opportunity yesterday to continue stirring the trouble pot, then we will have a contingent of them out there this morning. It could also be an ambush, where they’ll try to make any pro American Flag folks look like idiots. Look on the positive side, Gus. There might not be anyone at the school other than parents, students, and teachers.”

  “I’m not putting any money on that sucker bet. You’re right though. It may be a media protest today, where they arrive to get ‘opinions’ which they promptly edit into one line napalm taken out of context. I’ll see if they have any trouble listed on the usual sites.” Gus used his iPad to search through local newscasts for any indication of a planned smear job, but found nothing. “I don’t like this, Muerto. There’s no media outrage for the flag defilers. Instead of doing a half day, maybe they should have taken a full day off. The media has the attention span of a pack of gerbils. Make them wait a day, and it’s old news.”

  “I agree, but I didn’t get a vote,” Nick replied. “You dropped our lawyer Wargul conversation with a cheap shot, but did you have a real objection to what I have in mind?”

  “How do you plan on getting Tim and Grace on board this Muerto express into career suicide? Granted, their oversight on not informing you of the government’s usual mishandling of a real threat nearly ended in…” Gus shut up for a moment. “Never mind… no matter how I try and underplay the dumbass move they went along with in not telling you about Pence, the more idiotic what I’m saying actually sounds to me.”

  “It’s very simple. I’m not giving them a choice. They will help me with this. In fact, the turds will probably look like heroes, who knew the mob must be trying to kill Sadun, because of his lawyer’s murder. It will be their job to sell the danger of a potential mob hit inside the prison by an unknown source. When I hit their vehicle outside Atwater, they’ll look like visionaries.”

  “How could that work? Atwater’s in the middle of nowhere. Any ambush in or around it, would cast suspicions immediately on an inside job, involving Tim and Grace.”

  “Not if they’re found tied and gagged a city away in Merced.”

  “Madre de Dios!”

  Jeaned glanced over her shoulder with a grin. “Uncle Gus?”

  Gus waved her off. “It’s okay. Your Dad told me something so out there in left field, my mind blanked.” Gus reduced his audio signal to a whisper. “That is wrong on so many levels, Muerto. What they did was wrong, but tied and gagged, and left for anyone to find… really?”

  “That’s not quite all, Payaso, my shortsighted partner. I’ll have to wound one of them.”

  “Madre de Dios!”

  “Sometimes, doing what’s right hurts a little, partner.”

  “When do you get to explain their part in this obscene Kabuki play of yours, I want to be there. Is that possible.”

  “Sure. I have no objection. I think you’re going to find Grace and Timmy to be very receptive to my so called ‘Kabuki Play’. I’m interested in how they choose who gets wounded. I’m betting Timmy mans the hell up, and takes the bullet. On the other hand, Grace will probably browbeat him into allowing her to do it. They’re sleeping together now, so they’ll probably play some form of ‘Alphonse and Gaston’ vying with each other to make the sacrifice.”

  Gus shrugged. “You’re sick, Muerto. I’m worse though. I’m like the rubberneckers on the freeway after a horrendous accident with body parts strewn everywhere. I can’t look away. You’ve made me into a sick freak like you are.”

  “No, I didn’t. You whine too much.”

  “Uh oh. Here we are again in the Muerto is always right bubble. Look at the damn news vans. You’d think we had a terrorist attack yesterday, instead of a statement made by common folk in defense of the flag.”

  Nick smiled, watching the parents stream by with their kids, looking up at the flag still waving proudly in the air for another day, but ignoring the media vultures completely. He saw Jim Amos go by with a glance at the flag, and a wave off to the press with his sons. “I see a few of my former compatriots doing exactly the right thing, ignoring the media. You remain here with Deke. Jean and I will thread our way through directly to school. Ready, Dagger?”

  “I’m ready. I missed all the adult fun yesterday.”

  “No fun today either, kid. We’re going to walk right by these clowns. No offense, Payaso.”

  “None taken.”

  Nick walked toward the school, holding Jean’s hand. “I know you don’t like me playing the overprotective parent as if you were a kindergartner, but I don’t want to lose sight of you in this crowd, Dagger.”

  “It’s okay. They look scarier close like this.”

  “The media are born bullies. It’s a prerequisite for being a reporter. If you are a wildly annoying, arrogant jerk with no scruples, being a journalist seems like a wonderful career choice. It keeps them off the streets, but not out of rehab.”

  Jean giggled. As they passed the flag pole, Nick stopped and looked up at the only symbol he truly respected without exception. Jean followed his example.

  “There he is! That is the man who attacked me!”

  Recognizing the voice, Nick spun toward it, his right arm sweeping Jean behind him. Habib Rashidi was striding toward him with two other men in suits, who could pass for his brothers. The media, smelling blood in the water, circled the feeding area. Nick made a stopping gesture with his hand.

  “That’s close enough! Allow me to take my Daughter into school, and you can spew whatever nonsense you want at me when I come out.”

  “You will answer for what you did now!” In spite of his words, Rashidi slowed to a stop.

  “No, I won’t, but if you force the issue with your two buddies, I will put you all in the hospital.”

  “Are you threatening me?”

  “No, butthead, I’m giving you the only logical alternative to getting hurt, badly: stay away from me until I take Jean in to school.” Then, a growl sounded from next to him. Deke took a position near Nick, ready to launch, with Gus’s intimidating figure at his side.

  “That is good advice,” Gus told them. “Deke doesn’t like it when he senses danger to Jean. Anyone moving
toward her will not enjoy the consequences.”

  As if to add an exclamation point to Gus’s remark, Deke voiced a short violent bark and snarl with all his teeth showing, jutting ahead as if eager to begin. That startled the media and Rashidi’s crew back a few steps.

  “Thanks,” Nick said. “I’ll be out in a few minutes, Gus.”

  Gus smiled. “Deke and I will be here. Have a good day, Jean.”

  “I will, Uncle Gus.” Jean hugged Deke, and led the way inside the school. “Were those guys going to beat you up right in front of the cameras and reporters?”

  “Nope. They were about to get a lesson in actions have consequences. Luckily, Gus and Deke timed their arrival perfectly. If I had seen Rashidi, I would have asked Gus to bring Deke with us. I don’t like to upset Deke. He doesn’t like bad mouthing crowds, because he senses their mood. Don’t worry, I won’t let Deke get a piece of anyone. Even in self-defense, the stupid people in authority would insist on putting him to sleep. That ain’t happenin’ to my beer buddy.”

  “See that boy talking to Ms. Kader,” Jean whispered, retreating a step. “His name’s Tyson Salvatore. His family moved here from Washington D.C. He’s in my class. His folks call him Sonny. I think he likes me.”

  A tall for his age, thin, dark haired boy spotted Jean. He waved at her. Nick grinned as the boy blushed when Jean waved back. “Yep. I think you’re right.”

  “Are you okay, Jean? I was telling Ms. Kader that you and your Dad were stopped outside by the flagpole.”

  “I’m good,” Jean said. “Sonny, this is my Dad, Nick.”

  Nick shook hands with the boy, noting his firm grip. “I’m glad to meet you, Sonny.”

  “Same here, Sir.”

  “We better get my class started, or I will be in trouble,” Dimah Kader said. “Nice seeing you, Nick.”

  “I remember the half day, Jean. Bye, Dimah.” Nick watched them enter the classroom, smiling as Jean playfully bumped Sonny into his desk. Oh boy, another detail of life I hadn’t given a thought to.

  Chapter Six

  Ill Conceived Plans

  Nick hurried through the entrance, but slowed his steps once he passed the doorway. He came abreast of Gus and Deke, as they maintained their positions. “Ready, Gus?”

  “I’m on my last nerve here, so yeah, I’m ready. Deke was ready two seconds after you went inside the school. I don’t speak these guys’ language, so I have no idea what they said, but I would wager it wasn’t anything good hearted, or nice. A few of the reporters left, so your buddy has been working himself up into a frenzy. What are you going to do?”

  “Walk home.” Nick turned away from the crowd, beginning his trek. Deke pulled Gus along to follow. Nick called Sergeant Dickerson while striding with Gus and Deke at a leisurely pace, gathering an enraged following with every step.

  “Nick?”

  “Yeah, it’s me. I have a stalker. Remember the nitwit from yesterday, Habib Rashidi?”

  Dickerson sighed. “Yes.”

  “He came to the school again, blasting away at everyone with news crews in attendance. He has a couple big guys with him that look like his brothers, and a few others chummy with him following along for the ride. I dropped Jean off. Gus and I, along with Deke the dog are trying to make good our escape without finding our way onto the evening news.”

  “On my way. Can you outpace them?”

  Nick glanced toward his unwanted retinue, speeding their pursuit, because Nick wasn’t slowing down to engage them. “Nope. I’m not running either. I’ll keep the line open. Gus, can you get your iPad out ready to film?”

  “Way ahead of you. I’ve been taking clips of us moving away from them. Would you like to let Deke get involved.”

  “No. Sergeant Dickerson is on his way. If we keep moving, maybe he’ll be in time to keep me from doing something violently incorrect. There’s five of them, and you’re filming it, including our attempt to leave the area without violence.”

  Gus did a video panning of the scene again with an added note. “The big guy who was with Rashidi is jogging forward toward you, Nick.”

  “Thanks. Keep Deke tightly to you.”

  A few seconds later, a huge hand gripped Nick’s left shoulder with an order to stop. Nick spun, wrapping his left arm around the big man’s extended arms, clutching them in an unbreakable grip. He then punched the helpless man in the groin, following the devastating blow with a knee to the man’s face. Nick allowed him to drop to the sidewalk, continuing on without breaking stride. Gus kept filming, while controlling Deke with the leash and calming words. Sirens sounded on the squad car approaching from the opposite direction with Dickerson at the wheel. He steered to the curb near Nick, Gus, and Deke. The small gang had been slowed while checking their companion, left writhing on the sidewalk.

  “Did you do something, Nick?” Dickerson hurried around the hood of his squad car to the sidewalk. His partner, a tall athletically shaped brown haired woman stayed at her passenger side door, one hand on the butt of her weapon

  “Yep. You were a few seconds late to keep one of them from trying to yank me to a stop. Gus has it on video.”

  Dickerson watched the pursuit, and painful ending. “Ouch! That had to hurt. Nice speech before the action.”

  “It bought us enough time for the valiant Pacific Grove police to arrive in the nick of time to save Nick.”

  “Very funny. Here they come, but the one you put down isn’t doing too well.”

  “Good, I want to press charges, so officer, do your duty.”

  “Oh boy… I was afraid you’d say that.” Dickerson turned to his partner. “Call it in, Trina. We’re going to need backup.”

  Because the group moved toward them, Dickerson and his partner stayed where they were. By the time Rashidi and his companions reached the squad car because of their limping comrade, two other squad cars arrived behind them. Four more officers exited those vehicles to surround the oncoming men.

  “Arrest him! He assaulted my brother for no reason! I want him in handcuffs immediately!”

  “Calm down, Sir, right now,” Dickerson warned. “First off, I ordered you to stay away from that elementary school. You not only disobeyed my lawful order, you brought others along, and proceeded to stalk after a Pacific Grove citizen who actually has a daughter attending classes at the school. His friend filmed your pursuit of him as he walked home, including an attempted assault by your brother. Mr. McCarty is pressing charges. You, and your friends, are going to jail. Turn around and put your hands behind your back!”

  “This…this is outrageous!” When Rashidi didn’t follow Dickerson’s order, Dickerson forced him around, and handcuffed the squirming Rashidi. He then read the men their rights.

  “Do you understand these rights as I have explained them?” Dickerson kept repeating the phrase while his other police comrades watched each other’s back while restraining the men with Rashidi. After the third repeat of the question, all but Rashidi had indicated they understood.

  “I will say nothing!”

  “I filmed it,” Gus said. “He heard his rights read to him in front of witnesses, and on video.”

  “Thanks Gus. Your refusing to acknowledge your rights isn’t a problem anyway. I don’t have any questions for you. Mr. McCarty, I’m sure, will be glad to give us a copy of your assault, and press charges at the station, right Mr. McCarty?”

  “The moment I reach home with my dog and Gus, I will get in my vehicle and drive to the station,” Nick stated.

  “You will pay for this affront!” Rashidi began a screaming tantrum, which Gus continued to film, while the police loaded the men into the squad cars for transport.

  “I don’t think he likes you, Nick. I admit it. I don’t mind this particular arrest at all. Rashidi really screwed the pooch returning to the school. I don’t know for how long, but he’s going to jail.”

  “I will testify. I guarantee you that, and I have solid witnesses from yesterday too.”

  “Wha
t I think will happen is the DA will offer them deals after Rashidi cools down, and his lawyer explains he isn’t in Tehran under Sharia Law.”

  “They’re pushing for it,” Nick replied. “It’s getting so we’re not allowed to be Americans in America anymore. We have to remove our flags, piss on the Constitution, and allow Islamist assholes to enslave their own wives and daughters right here in America as if they were still in an Afghan cave. When Sharia Law becomes our law, I’ll be dead, and every bullet I can get my hands on will have been fired.”

  “And I’ll be dead next to him,” Gus added.

  “Save me a spot, guys,” Dickerson agreed. “See you at the station, Nick. I think there were some suits getting ready to visit your house anyway on the Formsby matter. You’ll save everyone some time coming down to the station.”

  “I’ll be there. Thanks for showing so quickly today, Neil.”

  “It was my pleasure as it turned out.”

  After the police left, Nick, Gus, and Deke restarted their journey home. “Rachel will love this new twist in the simple school walk.”

  “I bet she’ll start making you drive Jean to school pretty soon,” Gus replied. “After the last couple days, I’d be willing to entertain the idea if I were you.”

  “Deke loves his morning walk to school with Jean. If I have to kill a few people to make it less of a trial, so be it.”

  “Speaking of killing a few people, when are you letting Tim and Grace in on the wonderful plan you want them involved in?”

  “Tonight if they’ll come down here,” Nick answered. “I’ll call them after I get back from the station and bring Jean home.”

  “I hope you can get a couple hours sleep in there somewhere. I know I plan to.”

  “The Rashidi mess fired me up. I’m surprised the press didn’t follow him and his gang. That in itself is a bit disturbing. You don’t suppose they wanted to keep my possible beating off the news, do you, Payaso?”