by Dave Balcom
“There was this task force, you know, designed to put the mobs out of business, and Paul Ralph fed them information on the Stahls. They went up for life without parole, both of them.”
“You know this how?”
He grimaced as if I were being dense, “I know how I know, okay? There’s no chance that what I know is anything but the gospel, I assure you.
“Anyway, before I knew what I know, I was asked to sit in on a meeting with these lawyers and old man Stahl, and later I was sent to accompany the lawyers to a meeting of theirs and, as instructed, assure them talking out of turn would not be a matter for the Bar Association.
“I did that, and, as directed, the law firm kicked Ralph out with a golden parachute and instructions to disappear into the background.
“And, then, and this is not a part of the story I’m particularly proud of, the Stahls had a co-worker of Ralph’s killed. Ralph and his family moved away; the Stahl family business dissolved and was sopped up by other families, and I was busy with my own venture...”
“You didn’t take part in the killing?”
“Hell no! I was working my ass off trying to avoid my family’s life with the business they’d bought me. I knew we won some contracts without bidding, but I was working night and day on legitimate jobs, and I was doing all right, too.”
“Then you met Fran?”
He was nodding his head, “I wasn’t about to bring her into that life unknowing. My mom was dead by then...” He had caught my look at that piece of information and interrupted himself, “No, it was natural causes – breast cancer, even the mob can’t cause breast cancer.
“Anyways, I finally sat Fran down and told her who my family really was and she was pretty shocked. From her time at the Pontiac she’d had plenty of opportunities to size up hoods of pretty much every description. She hated the whole scene. Her time at the hotel was about up, so she said she’d marry me as long as we left Detroit in the rear view as soon as possible.
“I went to my Dad and told him I was getting married, and that I was going to sell my interest in the business and move to northern Michigan. I was really scared, but he was actually kind about it. He said he thought I wasn’t cut out for the life, and he’d been trying to figure out how to let me down gently; you know, here’s your hat, what’s your hurry?”
I smiled at him. “He let you go?”
He smiled back but with a tinge of sadness in his face, “He’s no angel. He believes in debts and payments. He told me I could sell the business to my uncle and I’d receive a fair shake on the price. I did.
“He told me that I could always call on him if I ran into a problem I couldn’t handle. I never did, and he had no problem with that. I saw him once a year, usually between Thanksgiving and Christmas, for the rest of his life, and each year he reminded me of his only demand.”
“That’s the problem, isn’t it?”
He nodded, “He demanded that I would always warn the family if I became aware of a threat to it. I couldn’t see any possibility of my learning of any threat from up here and I had no intention of ever going back down there... So I swore to it.”
“You saw a threat in Paul Ralph last week in Stoney?”
“Just as plain as the nose on his face. Hell, his kid is the spittin’ image of the old man at that age.”
“He recognized you, too. I saw it.”
“Oh, sure. He recognized me, and that scared me to death.”
“Scared you? I thought the look in his eyes was fear!”
“That may be true, but I know I felt fear. I knew I was going to have to tell my family about him, and where he was.”
“Certainly they could have kept track of him if they’d wanted to,” I said with some disbelief.
“Well, with the break up of the Stahl family, nobody really cared about Ralph; he was gone and forgotten.
“But my family took over most of that business, and my family sat at the table when unification finally occurred. Today my uncles and cousins are all made men in the Partnership.
“I had no choice but to share my news with them. It made me sick.”
We had been sitting in the car for more than fifteen minutes, but I had been so engrossed in listening to his story that I’d forgotten the homer in my pocket.
“Greg, let’s drive a bit. I’m not sure I want to hunt birds today, but I know I want to keep talking with you.”
He started the truck and pulled out on the road, heading back the way we had come. I saw a low altitude helicopter coming at us. Down the road I saw an unmarked dark blue SUV headed in our direction. Greg kept driving, and I didn’t say a word, just took my hat off as the two vehicles approached each other, and made sure my happy face was visible to the other driver.
I let out a little sigh of relief as the other vehicle hadn’t made a power turn and the chopper hadn’t circled; I figured we were free and clear.
Back at the Bellaire House, I saw that our Suburban was absent from its parking spot. “I think I missed Jan, let’s have a coffee and I’ll call her.”
“Sure; if she’s already headed for the inn, I’ll just wait for you to change and we’ll go together.” He busied himself with coffee at the self-serve table, and I called Jan on my phone. She answered immediately.
“Where you at?”
“Sheriff’s office, listening to the folks keeping an eye on you. You had everyone on high alert when you pulled into that roadside park and sat so long; they were just preparing to swoop down on him when you started moving again.”
“Jan, he told me his whole story; I don’t think he’s the guy, but I think he’s somehow involved even if he doesn’t really know it yet. I want more time with him. You need to stay away for a while.”
“Okay. What should I tell Miles?”
“Only that until I leave here with Greg or until I call, he and his folks need to stay away as well.”
“You’re sure you’re all right?”
“I am, but my guard’s up.”
I poured a coffee, and suggested we go sit on the porch. It was a beautiful autumn Saturday. The leaf drop was in full flow, but the breeze was gentle and the temperature had already climbed into the sixties. On the porch, in the sun, it was very comfortable.
“Greg, did you ever meet a guy named Credenza Mo-lesky?” I said using the phonetic pronunciation.
“Big Mo? Sure, I met him when he was just a baby. His mother was related to my family somehow, I’m not sure exactly. His dad was an associate of my father’s family.”
“He tried to kill me night before last.”
Greg was so stunned he nearly dropped his coffee, “He what?”
“Tried to mug me; had a stolen van all ready to make me disappear; and he had enough material to make Jan and even Judy disappear with me. I spoke with him at length yesterday, and while he wasn’t saying anything, I saw him react to your name but nobody else’s.
“Why would he show me a reaction to your name?”
Greg had a pained expression, “Maybe because the other material wasn’t for Jan, but was for me.”
“You? How would that work?”
“Mo is a contractor. I know he was being trained as an enforcer by his family. When he was a teen, he was boxing all the time – you know smokers, small stuff in the gyms around town. I never thought of him as a cleaning expert. I never thought he was bright enough.”
“Well, he wasn’t very adept in my case. Why would anyone in Detroit want me out of the way?”
He was shaking his head, “Jim, I don’t know how anyone in Detroit would even know you’re alive. I never said a word about you when I was down there. I met with two cousins and their dad, told them of my encounter with Paul Ralph; told them I was fulfilling my oath, but that I did not see any possible threat from the man or his family.
“I left that meeting thinking that all was well, and then even before I arrived home, I heard that Paul had been abducted. I was shocked and frightened. I knew we’d never see him again
; that’s the way it’s done in cases like this.
“There was no need for this, but those old habits and traits die hard in that world.”
“But his whole family? What’s the purpose? Who are they warning?”
He just shook his head, and his gaze was far off into some other place.
“Greg, I think you need to speak with Miles Lawton, a friend of mine from years ago who is also a State Police investigator. He’s working the Ralph case.”
He brought his gaze back to me and I saw his eyes focus in on mine. “Are you working that case, too?”
“I am, in a way.”
“Are you wearing a wire? Are you recording this?”
“No. You haven’t incriminated yourself in any way I see...”
“But telling you isn’t like telling the authorities, is it?”
“Look, Jan’s research linked some missing schoolmates of hers to the firebombing death of this woman who worked with Paul Ralph; one of the missing schoolmates was a career Army Intelligence guy who spent his final hitch working out of the Joint Task Force office in Wayne County... We figured he must have brought some knowledge that was threatening to somebody in Stoney with a link to downstate... you have to admit you fit that bill pretty nicely.”
I saw a shift in his eyes and demeanor, “A homer? You’re wearing one of those devices so they could keep track of you without blowing surveillance... that’s why you had to move us, if you stopped moving for so long...”
I couldn’t read him at that moment, but steeled myself for a possible fit of anger. Then he seemed to relax. “Hell, that takes some real balls on your part; you couldn’t know how much I abhor violence. How could you?”
“Will you speak with Miles?”
He was shaking his head again. “I can’t incriminate anyone with actual knowledge. I don’t know who murdered or planned to murder anyone. I was never part of that; I knew of some criminal behavior back then, but the statute of limitations is long passed. I can talk or listen to your friend, but I can’t tell him anything that will incriminate anyone.”
I popped open my phone and dialed Miles’ number.
“Hello! Having any luck?”
I filled him in with a sketch outline of what I had heard, and invited him to join us for lunch.
“I’d rather you boys came over here; we’ll order in some Subway, and have you back in Stoney in time for the Michigan kickoff, just like you planned.”
I shared that with Greg, and he stood up ready to go.
“Be there in just a few minutes.”
CHAPTER 45
The meeting with Miles had gone as well as I could have hoped, and ran a lot shorter than I would have thought possible. Jan and I went back to the House when Greg headed for Stoney.
Gail Lawton was at the desk introducing herself to the clerk when we walked into the hotel. Jan let out a little squeal and hurried to hug her friend.
I nodded to the staffer at the desk; “She’s Mrs. Lawton, Room 12. In town for the weekend.”
The clerk nodded and went through the motions for programming a room key for her. When she turned back to him, he handed it to her, “Welcome to Bellaire House, Mrs. Lawton.”
She took the card and smiled at him. Then she and Jan walked arm in arm to the elevator. I grabbed her overnight bag and followed behind. They ignored me until Gail had her door open. She took the bag from me with a smile, “Thanks, Jim.” Then she turned to Jan, “I hear we’re going to Stoney for dinner and that I’ll hear you perform; it’s been a long time.”
“If I’m dragged up to that piano, kid, you’re going to come with me.”
Gail frowned, “Afraid not; I haven’t sung a note in almost twenty years. No pipes after three births. I’ll take a pass and just enjoy the memories.”
We rallied at the little bar off the lobby just before six and it was almost dark when we pulled into the parking lot at Annie’s.
The meal was wonderful, and by 8 o’clock, the restaurant and the alcove where the piano resided was full. Annie had put a reserved sign on “our” table, and as we made our way to it, Jan walked to the instrument and sat down.
Annie was at the table, and with her was Angela Ritter. I introduced the Lawtons to Angela while Annie went to the bar for a glass of wine for Gail and coffee for Angela and Miles. She brought back a glass of bourbon for me, but I had driven, and was abstaining. “I’ll just have to drink it myself,” she muttered. “You want coffee?”
“No, thanks; maybe later.”
As Annie sat down, Jan started playing.
“She’s just warming up,” Gail whispered. “I’ve seen her do that hundreds of times.”
“You’ve known her a long time?” Angela asked.
“Oh, yes. I was a waitress at a resort in Cadillac. I worked there three summers, and Jan played there on weekends each year.”
“You also did some singing with Jan, didn’t you?” I said.
“We had a couple of songs that we did together; our entire wait staff was musical, and Jan worked with all of us at one time or another. It did wonderful things for our tips.”
Miles was smiling and his toe was tapping as she spoke, and then he reached over and gave her hand a squeeze.
“It was long before I met you, Miles.”
“I know, I’m just sitting here content; how long will she play?”
Gail looked at Annie, “How long does she have to sing for our supper?”
“There’s not enough time in the universe, but she can have all the time she wants.”
Jan played for an hour, took a break and then played and sang with the customers, turning the evening into karaoke, much to my amazement and Annie’s delight.
When she had had enough, Jan took a moment to thank the patrons for their attention, and then did a rendition of “Georgia On My Mind” to close the evening.
We sat at the table for another 20 minutes as people came by to shake her hand, pat her shoulder, and tell her how much they’d enjoyed the evening. Most of them had a quick story about a time when they’d seen and heard her at this place or another around the state.
Finally the crowd had thinned, and we were talking about heading for home when Angie said, “Jan, this is wonderful; I don’t know how you do it. I missed your performance after the banquet last week; no offense to Annie, but this is not my scene.
“I figured you’d be long gone back to Oregon by now, but you’re sticking around for word on the Ralphs, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” Jan said. “We thought it best if we did. Miles and Gail are old friends, but Miles is also investigating the Ralph case.” She saw the look of surprise on Angie’s face. “He’s with the State Police Investigative Division,” Jan added.
“Oh!” Her hand went to her mouth and that gave rise to a chuckle from Miles.
“I don’t bite, Angie; honest.”
“I’m sorry, but it just seems so terrible. We’ve had so many people from our class just up and disappear, and now it’s Tony’s folks.
“You know I carried a torch for Tony all through high school. I used to moon over him from afar. He’s so handsome, and I came to know his mother, Betty, and I know she knew how I felt.
“She is such a fine woman. She kept Tony from being all full of himself – you know, like some boys when they’re in high school. But not him; he was always polite – distant of course towards me – but never rude or crude.
“I couldn’t say that about that Mark Decker. You would have thought he was the big man on campus, not Tony.”
“You didn’t appreciate Mark?” I asked.
“If you weren’t Tony or his family, nobody had any use for Mark Decker. Isn’t that so, Jan?”
“I think every girl in our class had some fantasy about Tony; I never gave Mark a thought. I know he and Tony were very close, and I know that Paul and Betty treated him like a son. They’ve been inseparable their whole lives, and still are from what I saw of them last week. I’ll bet he’s inconsolable about now.
”
“Guys, I hate to break this up, but I need to head back to B’laire,” Miles said. “Annie, thank you for a wonderful meal, you didn’t have to pick up our tab, but we’re grateful.”
“And my wait staff is thrilled that you felt so strongly about their service. They told me to tell you that you’re welcome anytime.”
Miles put his “aw shucks” face on, and said, “It’s easy to be generous when the food’s free.”
“There’s nothing free about the food here tonight,” Jan said with mock acidity.
“You love it, and don’t you deny it, chickee,” Annie said with a broad smile. “I’m lucky you don’t live near by, or I’d have to hire more staff to handle the crowds you draw.”
With that we all had a good laugh. Jan and the saloon keeper hugged and both of them were misty-eyed when they parted.
Once in the Suburban, heading back to Bellaire, Jan turned in her seat to look at the Lawtons in the back seat. “You know, I can’t help but think it strange that I haven’t seen or heard from Mark Decker this week.”
Miles put his hand on my shoulder. “Have you, Jim?”
“Nope. Now that you mention it...”
Jan said, “It makes you wonder, doesn’t it?”
“He’s probably holding down the fort in Grand Rapids. He’s the firm’s Office Manager, and with Tony missing, his case load must fall to the partner, Bittner. That must be a mess,” I said.
We rode in silence the rest of the way.
Miles and Gail had no interest in a nightcap at the hotel, heading instead for the elevator. When I started to say something about that, I felt an elbow in the ribs for my lack of sensitivity. “Gail isn’t up here for dinner and drinks with us, Mr. Stanton. Sometimes you need to wise up.”
CHAPTER 46
Judy and I went for a walk Sunday morning, but it wasn’t a tai chi walk. Instead, based on a sign I’d noticed on Saturday at the roadside park where Greg and I had chatted, we walked in a State Game Area which surrounded the park.
It was a nippy morning, and when we found the birds they were sitting tight in thick cover, but the lack of leaves left them vulnerable.