Date: 2011-03-06 08:00:00+00:00
Description: Fourteen-year-old Matty Dunmore and his gang live in Nowhere, NJ, and their world of mobsters and crooked cops is about to be turned on its head. When Matty -- a runner for the local Mob boss, Mr. Hill -- is attacked and robbed during a delivery, he soon discovers the package he was carrying wasn't the only one taken. The boys are told to keep watch for anything suspicious, but after the death of a higher up in the organization, their surveillance is discovered by one of the traitors. Now the friends must make a choice -- tell Mr. Hill and risk the safety of their families, or keep quiet and l
Publisher: Wild Fey, LLC

Nowhere, NJ

The Good Bad Guys

Book 2

H. D. Smith

This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

Wild Fey LLC

http://www.wildfeyllc.com

Copyright © 2015 HD Smith

[p ~ v3]

Cover design by Robin Ludwig Design Inc.

http://www.gobookcoverdesign.com/

Editing Services Provided by John Robin
http://www.storyperfectediting.com/

All rights reserved.

ISBN-10: 1942030134

ISBN-13: 9781942030133

DEDICATION

For anyone that has ever needed a second chance.

Chapter 1

2015

Thirty years ago a kid named Matty Dunmore disappeared. There were no “missing” fliers posted or alerts on milk cartons. The disappearance didn’t make the local paper or the five o’clock news. But no one who knew anything about the situation expected it to. The Mob had a way of keeping things quiet in Nowhere, NJ. If someone couldn't be found that was because there was nothing to find. As they say, there are only two ways out of the family—prison or the morgue—even when you’re only fourteen-years-old.

~#~

Matt stared out the window of the taxi as it left New York’s JFK airport. He shouldn’t be here and he knew it. “Why New York? Why now?”

“Hey buddy,” the cabby called in his thick New York accent, “did you say something?”

Matt was pulled back to the present. Glancing at the driver, he said, “No, sorry. Just thinking out loud.”

The cabby chuckled. “This your first trip to the city?”

Shaking his head, Matt turned back toward the window. “No, but it’s…been a while.”

“Sounds like a story worth tellin’.”

Matt made a nervous sounding laugh, but there was nothing funny about his past. Deep down he knew coming here was a mistake. He should have found a way to support his client from home in Florida. He should have pushed back when his business partner, Jay Baxter, insisted he make this trip. But Baxter would have demanded to know why Matt couldn’t make time for their most important new client. It wasn’t like he could tell Baxter the truth. No one—not even his wife and son—knew the truth.

The Matt Larson they knew was a successful businessman, not a ghost named Matty Dunmore with a secret so big it could get Matt and everyone he loved killed. Matty needed to stay buried in the past, and now Matt was risking everything by coming back.

Chapter 2

1985

It was Fourth of July and the gang would be meeting later at Demarko’s Pizza, but first Matty had a job to finish. He delivered packages for Mr. Hill, the Mob’s top man in Nowhere. It wasn’t a hard job and it usually paid well—twenty to twenty-five dollars a pop, but his mother didn’t like it much. He knew she didn’t want him working for the Mob, but it wasn’t like he had a choice—no one said no to Mr. Hill.

The hot summer sun beat down on his shoulders as he walked back from the delivery. He hadn’t seen a cloud all summer, and today was no exception. The temperature was already a sweltering ninety-eight degrees. He was thinking about the large cold soda he was going to order at Demarko’s when out of nowhere the Foster brothers jumped him, pushing him into an abandoned building.

Lester and Marvin Foster were in the same grade as Matty, but they both had about twenty pounds on him and looked more like oversized fat kids than eighth graders. Matty wasn’t near their part of town, so he wasn’t expecting to run into them. They slammed into Matty so hard that he tripped and fell flat on his face, smacking his nose hard enough to bring tears to his eyes. Wiping his nose, he left a trail of blood on his arm.

Pushing up from the dusty floor of the dilapidated building, Matty was slammed from behind again, sending him sprawling. Angry, he jerked up, forcing his legs under him, this time making it to his feet. Spinning around he saw Lester coming for him. Swinging wildly, Matty caught air with the first punch. He quickly corrected and swung again, making contact with Lester’s nose. A satisfying squeal escaped Lester’s mouth.

Matty pulled back for another strike. Marvin grabbed his arm and wrenched it back. Matty lost his balance, crashing back to the filthy floor. Lester was back on him in a heartbeat, kicking him in the side hard enough to bruise his ribs.

Marvin dug into Matty’s pocket, pulling out the two tens—all of his tip money. “Let’s go, Les.”

Marvin headed for the door, just as Lester kicked Matty one more time.

“See you around Dumbmore.” Laughing, he bolted after his brother.

Matty felt nauseous as he got to his feet. Wincing, he gingerly pulled up his shirt on the left side, touching the spot where Lester had kicked his ribs the hardest. It was sore, but nothing felt broken. He’d have to be careful not to go shirtless around the house until the bruises heeled, or he’d have to explain the fight to his mother, and she’d just get all weird again about his job.

“There will be payback,” Matty grumbled, as he left the old building to find his friends.

Matty belonged to a gang—his crew of friends, which included Lenny Hill, and the Townsend brothers, Ronny and Juli. Lenny was Mr. Hill’s son from his first marriage, although you’d never guess they were related. Most days Matty thought Mr. Hill treated him better than he treated Lenny, and Lenny looked nothing like his dad. Ronny was a year older than Matty, Lenny, and Juli. He’d been held back a year, repeating the first grade—something he insisted was caused by a typo. He’d recently had a growth spurt and was now a full head taller than Matty. He was definitely the guy you wanted backing you up in a fight. Juli was Matty’s closest friend within the gang. They’d instantly bonded over a strong dislike of green peas and the cafeteria lady who’d tried to make them “eat their vegetables”—both arguing that legumes weren’t a vegetable and should be exempt. Ronny and Juli’s dad, Mr. Townsend, who worked for Mr. Hill, wasn’t amused, which at the time Matty found ironic since he was known as “The Butcher.” Of course that was before Matty was old enough to understand what Mr. Townsend’s nickname really meant.

Matty and his friends all lived just over the bridge from New York City, in Nowhere, NJ. At least that’s what they called it. They had all been close since the first grade, when they formed their gang. That was when they decided all mobsters had what they called an “E name”—a name that usually ended in y. It worked out okay for most of the guys, but Juli, whose real name was Julian, had gotten the short end of the E name stick. Of course, only the gang could call him that. If anyone else tried, they’d be in for a world of hurt; Juli wasn’t the biggest guy in the crew, but he was the toughest.

The Foster brothers are going to be sorry.

Matty’s side was hurting from the pounding Lester had dished out. He was glad to see that his friends were at Demarko’s Pizza, their unofficial home base for the summer. The building the pizza place occupied had once been a gas station, and on really hot days the outside seating area smelled like motor oil and burnt rubber, but the pizza was always good.

The guys were sitting outside at one of the old picnic tables. Lenny, a lanky kid with black hair so straight it seemed to always be covering at least one eye, nodded and elbowed Ronny when he saw Matty crossing the street. Juli noticed the action and looked up, wincing when he caught site of Matty.

It was obvious Juli and Ronny were related. Ronny was like a mini Mr. Townsend, stocky with wavy dark brown hair that he wore a little long. Juli had the same hair and facial features, only his hair color was a golden sun-streaked blond like their mother’s and his body was lean like a runner.

Looking Matty up and down, Juli grimaced and pointed at Matty’s nose. “What happened to you?”

Swiping a napkin from the table, Matty wiped his nose—removing what blood remained. “I was across town dropping off a package for Mr. Hill. On the way back the Fosters jumped me and stole my tip money.”

Juli jumped to his feet, always ready for a fight. “Where are they now?”

Matty shrugged. “I don’t know. Lincoln Square?”

Ronny stood, chucking his trash in the nearby can. “Then what are we waiting for?”

“Hell, yeah,” Lenny chimed in, getting to his feet. “They can’t get away with that shit.”

Lincoln Square was what Matty called the four blocks at the corner of Lincoln and Madison. The Foster brothers treated it like their own private kingdom, but today they were going to find out why you didn’t steal from the Mob. Matty’s friends weren’t bullies, but they couldn’t let the Fosters get away with taking the money. If they did, everyone might take a shot at them.

Matty’s nose stung and the pain was creeping toward his right eye. He’d have no way to hide a black eye from his mother, and she’d be doubly pissed if she found out what he was about to do, but the Fosters had it coming.

Ronny stretched his shoulders as they turned onto Lincoln.

“I hope you softened them up for us Matty,” Lenny crowed.

Matty nodded, his teeth clenched as he psyched himself up for the fight.

Ronny pointed. “There they are!”

“Let’s get em’,” Juli said, taking off in a flash.

Matty, Ronny, and Lenny took off after Juli.

“Lesley,” Matty yelled, “you fatso, remember me?”

Lester and Marvin’s eyes widened as they spotted the gang racing toward them. They bolted in the opposite direction as fast as their lumbering legs could carry them.

Lester screamed like a girl as Juli tackled him from behind.

Lenny and Ronny jumped Marvin, twisting him around and taking turns sucker punching him.

Matty joined Juli, shoving Lester into the nearest brick wall.

“How does it feel to get jumped?” Matty taunted, hitting Lester in the gut. “You gonna cry for mama, you big baby?”

Juli landed a right hook into Lester’s jaw. “Two against one aint fun, is it?”

“Cops!” Lenny yelled.

Matty glanced over his shoulder. A police cruiser was rounding the corner. “Shit. Juli, we gotta go.”

Lenny and Ronny darted down an alley, but Juli wasn’t backing down. He took another swing at Lester.

Grabbing Juli’s arm, Matty tried pulling his friend away. “Come on, man.”

Tires screeched to a stop behind him. An officer grabbed Matty, slamming him down hard against the squad car.

The second officer pulled Juli off Lester, nearly getting hit in the process. “You looking for a trip to juvi, kid?” he blustered, spinning Juli roughly to face him. His threat died on his lips as he cursed and muttered something that sounded like, “Townsend.”

Juli held up his chin as if daring the officer to hit him.

The officer’s eyes darted around as if checking who might be watching. He adjusted his grip, holding Juli by the arm, but just enough to keep him away from Lester.

The officer holding Matty down pushed at his back. “Where are the other two?”

Matty remained quiet.

In a calm quiet voice, the officer holding Juli said, “I only saw these two. Let’s wrap this up.”

“Monroe,” the first officer squawked, “are you blind?”

Matty glanced up to see the second officer—Monroe—go from looking cautious to pissed.

The officer holding Matty, shoved him again. “The other two that were beating up that kid.”

Matty turned his attention to the Fosters. He almost chuckled when he saw that Marvin was curled in a ball crying, his shaggy red hair sticking to his face. What a baby.

“Look, Grayson,” Monroe stressed the other officer’s name, “I only saw two kids. Let’s write them a ticket and go.”

“A ticket!” Grayson barked. “We’re taking them in.”

Monroe moved closer to the car with Juli in tow. Whispering, he said, “Look, man, you’ve only been here a few weeks. I’m telling you, we should just write them a ticket.”

“No,” Grayson said, pushing at Matty’s back again. “They weren’t jay walking. This was assault. The book says—”

“Fine,” Monroe interrupted him, holding his free hand up in the “I’m not fighting you” gesture, “but for the record”—he looked at Juli as if speaking to him directly—“I have nothing to do with this.” Turning back to Grayson, he added, “it’s your collar. My name isn’t going on the arrest record.” He handcuffed Juli and led him around to the passenger’s side of the car. Shaking his head, he muttered, “Death wish”.

Officer Grayson handcuffed Matty and led him to the driver’s side of the car, shoving him in beside Juli and slamming the door.

“Sorry, man, you shoulda run,” Juli said.

Matty chuckled. “No way, can’t leave a man behind.”

“Your mom’s gonna be pissed.”

Matty shrugged. “She was going to see the black eye anyway. Look”—Matty nodded toward the front of the car—“Lester’s crying. You think he’s playing it up for the cops?”

Juli snorted. “Maybe, but it’s the last time they’ll jump you.”

“Yeah,” Matty sighed, dropping his head back against the seat, “but we didn’t get the money.”

~#~

Lenny and Ronny ran straight to Miller’s Pub. It was where Lenny’s father, Mr. Hill, ran his business, and where he hoped to find Ronny’s dad. Lenny had to tell Mr. Townsend the cops grabbed Juli and Matty.

The pub, which was the first in a row of attached buildings, was crowded as usual and smelled like beer and cigars. Wooden booths ran along one wall, with a smattering of tables throughout—this was no dance club.

Lenny spotted a few regulars, and one or two faces he didn’t recognize. Although it might have seemed odd to an outsider, no one looked twice as the boys entered the pub and headed for the bar.

Freddy, the bartender on duty, was drying a beer mug. He nodded when the boys entered.

Lenny nodded back. “Is Mr. Townsend here?”

“Yeah, he’s in the back with Hill.”

“Thanks, man,” Lenny said, but before he could walk away, an old guy at the bar grabbed his arm.

“You look familiar,” the old drunk slurred in a raspy whisper. His eyes were bloodshot and his breath reeked of alcohol. He wasn’t one of the regulars. “Are you Manny’s—”

“Hey buddy,” Freddy interrupted, pulling the old man’s hand away from Lenny’s shoulder. “You’ve had enough to drink. It’s time to go.” Freddy nodded to Mario, one of the tough guys guarding the door to the back room. “Get this guy out of here.”

Lenny watched as Mario pulled the old man off the bar stool and firmly ushered him outside. Absently Lenny pushed the hair out of his eyes, wondering who Manny was. Nobody ever said he looked like anyone, not even his dad. His mother once said he looked like his dead uncle Bill, but Lenny never saw a resemblance in old pictures.

“Ignore that drunk, kid, he don’t know nothin,” Freddy said as if he knew what Lenny was thinking.

“Yeah, man, sure.” Lenny nodded and headed for the back room.

Unlike the pub, the back room was never very crowded. Most days it resembled a small warehouse with high ceilings and painted over windows, and aside from the occasional dark reddish-brown stain, the floors were plain gray concrete. Although not common knowledge, the back room was actually the building next door to the pub. The left half, toward what would have been the front of the original structure, held the office. The right half, which had a door leading to the back alley, was stacked with boxes of counterfeit merchandise.

Lenny’s father, John Xavier “Johnny X” Hill, was the man that ran Nowhere for the Mob. His light brown hair was cut short to keep it from curling. He was sitting on the office side at an old school metal desk, which probably had come with the building. Behind him were a matching standalone safe and two filing cabinets. Hill’s driver, Reno, and another goon were playing cards at a small table across from the pub entrance. A couple of wooden straight back chairs, which had handcuffs dangling from the rungs, lined the wall near the table.

Mr. Townsend, who was standing near Lenny’s dad, looked up as Lenny and Ronny walked in.

At six-foot-nine Mr. Townsend was the tallest man Lenny had ever met, and Ronny was a shorter, longer-haired, version of him. Lenny wished he looked more like his dad, then maybe drunk guys in the bar wouldn’t think he was someone else.

Lenny made eye contact with his father as he walked over to stand in front of the desk. His dad didn’t look happy to see him. Of course this was normally how he reacted, so Lenny was used to it.

Townsend’s voice broke the awkward silence. “Where’s Julian?”

Ronny stepped forward. “Him and Matty got caught fighting. The police grabbed ’em.”

Townsend shook his head. “How did you two avoid it?”

Mr. Townsend never really seemed to get mad at Juli; it was more like he was mad Juli had been caught. Lenny’s dad would have locked him up and thrown away the key if he’d been arrested.

“You know Juli, dad. He’s hard to pull off. Matty tried, but ...” Ronny shrugged.

Ignoring Lenny, Mr. Hill looked over at Ronny. “Did Matty have a package with him?”

Pushing the hair out of his eyes, Lenny answered anyway. “No sir, he delivered it earlier.”

His dad eyed him for a beat, as if finally acknowledging he was there. “Good.”

Lenny wouldn’t admit it, but he hated that Matty got all the jobs. Matty shared the tip money, but Lenny wanted to be the one his dad picked.

“Why were they fighting?” Townsend asked.

Straightening, Lenny said, “The Fosters jumped Matty and stole his tip money. They pounded him pretty hard, so we went to even the score.”

Before his dad could comment, the phone on his desk rang.

Townsend answered it. “Yeah ... okay, we’ll take care of it.” He replaced the receiver. “They’re being booked now.”

His dad pushed back from the desk. “Audrey doesn't need to deal with this. Reno, bring the car around.” He glared at Lenny. “Go home, you’ve been in enough trouble today.”

Lenny nodded, but he wanted to yell at his father. Matty was the one that had been arrested, so why was his dad mad at him instead?

~#~

“Well, what do we have here? Two future tough guys?” the desk sergeant, a portly balding man whose cheeks were always rosy, said as officer Grayson led Matty and Juli into the Police Station.

Matty didn’t say anything. He knew to keep quiet.

Grayson pushed the boys toward the bench beside the sign in desk. “Sit,” he ordered.

“What are your names and who are your legal guardians?” the desk sergeant asked.

“Julian Townsend. You know who my father is.”

Matty wasn’t sure what to say. The last time he was arrested Mr. Hill told Matty to have the police call him. The problem, of course, was that Mr. Hill wasn’t Matty’s legal guardian. “Matthew Dunmore,” he finally said, “you can call Mr. Hill.”

Grayson’s head snapped up. Looking at Matty, he stammered, “M-Mr. Hill!”

The desk sergeant let out a long exasperated sigh. Eyes narrowed on Matty, he said, “You don’t get a phone call, kid. We call your parents. Now give me a name.”

Matty pressed his lips together. The sergeant raised one of his bushy eyebrows. Juli elbowed Matty in the side. “Audrey Dunmore,” he said finally. His mom was going to kill him.

Grayson muttered something unintelligible, shaking his head. Matty caught sight of Officer Monroe leaving the chief’s office. Monroe had practically jumped from the patrol car the moment it arrived at the station, leaving Grayson alone to handle Matty and Juli. Grayson looked up, going a bit pale as he saw Monroe nodding to the chief.

Matty and Juli were taken to a holding cell in the back after booking.

Juli jumped onto the top bunk and stretched out. “It’s still early,” he said, “do you think they’ll come tonight?”

Matty shrugged. “I don’t know.” He sat on the bottom bunk. “My mom threatened to leave me in lockup for the night if I got arrested again.”

Juli snorted. “Then you better hope Hill finds out you’re here.”

Matty knew why his mom freaked out every time he got into trouble. His dad had died in prison, and it was days like this he worried he might share that fate. He was only fourteen and he already worked for the Mob—and it wasn’t like he could change that, right? The only question was how high up in the ranks of the organization he’d go.

“Did you see Lester? He was crying like a baby,” Juli crowed, interrupting Matty’s thoughts. “Too bad we didn’t get back the tip money.”

Matty stared at the bars. “Yeah.”

The springs of the top bunk squeaked as Juli leaned over the side of the cot. “What’s wrong, man?”

“Do you think we’ll ever leave here?”

“Yeah, tomorrow when our parents come to pick us up.”

Matty shook his head. Eyes fixed on Juli, he said, “Not here, I mean Nowhere. Do you think we’ll ever leave Nowhere?”

Juli’s eyebrows drew together. “I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it.”

“I mean do you really want to do what your dad does? Do you really want to work for someone like Hill your whole life?”

Juli gave Matty his hundred-watt smile. “Oh, hell ... no,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m gonna work for myself.”

Matty could honestly say he’d never considered that option—if it was an option.

“What do you want to do?” Juli asked.

“I don’t know.” Matty looked at the bars again. “I just don’t want to end up like my dad.”

The cot squeaked as Juli lay back down. “Yeah. I know what you mean.”

Matty stretched out on the bottom bunk. He didn’t want to end up like his dad, but he wasn’t sure how he was going to make it out. The Mob wasn’t an easy thing to get away from, even when you were fourteen.

Matty lay there, staring up at the springs above him, wondering if this was how his father had spent the last days of his life. He lay there like that for a while, transfixed by his lack of options.

Juli swatted his foot. He hadn’t even heard him jump down from the cot. “Let’s go, Matty.”

Officer Monroe was outside the cell waiting for them. He escorted Matty and Juli to the police chief’s office.

“This is some kind of record,” Matty whispered. Juli agreed.

It wasn’t like Matty normally spent days in the holding cell, but it was usually hours when he did; he’d barely been here forty-five minutes.

Mr. Hill and his lawyer were both in the chief’s office. The lawyer was arguing with the chief as they entered. He was spouting off some legal mumbo-jumbo to explain how the Foster boys had started the fight. The attorney paused when he caught sight of Matty.

In a louder, more authoritative voice the lawyer said, “Has this boy received medical attention?” Then he immediately jumped back into more legalese, as if no answer was expected.

Police Chief Waters, who’d been quietly listening and nodding his head, raised one eyebrow to Mr. Hill, in a “let’s rap this up” gesture. Matty always had the impression that Waters and Hill were more acquainted than either man would admit, which may have explained why Matty never stayed in jail very long.

Mr. Hill took Matty home. Matty and his mother, Audrey, lived in a three-bedroom apartment on the west side of town. It wasn’t one of the posh three-story town homes near McKinley and Garfield, where Lenny and his mom lived, but it was nice. They’d moved there six years ago after Matty’s father went to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. It had been a step up from their two-bedroom flat on Washington and Hayes, but it had never really felt like home, especially after his father had been killed in prison. That was when everything changed. It had been five years, but Matty remembered that day as if it were yesterday.

He’d been listening from the door to his room. His mom stood there frozen as Mr. Hill had continued to explain. His dad, Richard Dunmore, had been stabbed to death by another inmate.

“The payments will continue,” Mr. Hill told her, as if that was his mom’s only concern. “You’ll get the entire five years of financial support.”

That was the original deal. Matty’s father, who’d been a foreman at a construction site, had agreed to serve three to five years in prison for a crime committed by a made man. His mom would get monthly payments while his dad was in prison. That was how they got the nicer apartment in the nicer neighborhood ... and that was why Matty’s dad had been in that exercise yard on the day he was stabbed.

Matty had wiped away the tears before they could stain his cheeks. Boys didn’t cry. He was nine—not a baby.

His mother looked down at the cleaning cloth in her hand, as if she wasn’t sure what she’d been doing. Mr. Hill opened his arms. She didn’t move forward, so he walked toward her.

Without hesitation she slapped him across the face.

Matty gasped. He’d never seen anyone strike Mr. Hill. Matty ran to his mom, putting himself between her and Mr. Hill. For a few tense moments no one moved.

Finally, Hill rubbed his face and stretched out his jaw. “I’m going to let that go this time, because I know you’re upset. But don’t ever let it happen again.”

His mom had wrapped her trembling arms around Matty, pulling him close. With a wobbly voice, she said, “If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone with my son.”

That felt like so long ago. Matty stared out the window as Mr. Hill drove him home. At fourteen, Matty was now the one working for Mr. Hill. His mother didn’t like it. She’d started talking about moving, leaving Nowhere—getting away from the Mob. Unfortunately Matty knew only two ways to leave Nowhere: going to prison or dead on a slab in the morgue. Neither seemed all that appealing.

His mother’s brow was furrowed as Matty and Mr. Hill entered the apartment.

“Look at you,” she said, pushing his hair back to study his face. “If you don’t watch out, you’ll end up like your father.” She gave Mr. Hill a cold stare.

Matty suddenly remembered what day it was—the Fourth of July. Despite what had happened today, he was sure the other guys would be at the pier to watch the fireworks. Matty shrugged out of his mom’s hold. “Can I still go see the fireworks with the guys?”

“No,” Mr. Hill answered.

His mom glared at Mr. Hill, then turning her eyes to Matty, she said, “No, you’ll stay here and think about what you’ve done.”

“But, Mom—”

She raised her eyebrow cutting off his plea.

“Fine,” Matty grumbled.

“Show your mother respect,” Hill ordered.

Matty lowered his head. “Sorry, Mom.”

“Go to your room,” she said, dismissing him.

It was 8:30 and starting to get dark. Matty fell onto his bed, pissed he’d miss the fireworks, but he’d never get out of the house now. His mother and Mr. Hill were arguing in the living room. He turned up the music on his stereo, and ignored them.

Two hours later he heard several booms outside. He got up to look, but he couldn’t see anything good from his window. His gaze followed three kids with sparklers as they ran down the street—right past Mr. Hill’s car.

Why is he still here? Matty wondered.

Chapter 3

2015

Matt Larson owned half of Larson & Baxter Consulting, a well-respected tech firm headquartered in Orlando, Florida. L&B specialized in setting up a company’s computer network, however, when necessary they could oversee the entire installation of a new office, sub-contracting everything from cables to cubicles.

L&B had clients all up and down the East Coast, but for obvious reasons Matt usually avoided jobs in the New York City area. Maybe he was being paranoid. It had been thirty years since he left this world behind, but he didn’t want to give his past a chance to catch up with him. Unfortunately this time he didn’t have a choice, at least not one that didn’t involve spilling all his secrets.

The client, Atherton Logistics, hired L&B at a premium rate to finish a job that had been abandoned by another firm. This wasn’t the type of job Matt’s company would normally take, but Atherton was the Microsoft of logistics and they were in the process of relocating their entire operation to the East Coast. If L&B could hit this one out of the park, it would put their company on the map. They could expand their operation tenfold. It would have been business suicide to refuse the job.

The taxi dropped Matt off at his hotel around 7:00 PM. He checked in, ordered room service, called his wife Faith and son Pete, then went to bed. Tomorrow would be L&B’s first day on-site at the new Atherton office.

The company officially took over the project last week, but that was mainly work for the accountants. They sorted out all the paperwork and set up new accounts to pay past due invoices, placed new orders for materials, and vetted contractors for upcoming work. Matt was on-site this week to make sure everything moved ahead on schedule. This included wrangling several existing sub-contractors and making sure everyone was on the same page. Unfortunately that would include dealing with any union and labor issues before everything would be back on track, which could mean coming in contact with the Mob.

Matt’s company wasn’t controlled, owned, or operated by any illegal organization, but he was sure more than one of the local sub-contractors would be—the price of doing business in New York. It was his responsibility to keep costs down and get the job done, which was why his partner Jay Baxter wanted him on this project. Matt was known for his savvy negotiating skills and his ability to deal with uncooperative contractors—and he was the reason Atherton hired L&B to begin with. They wanted Matt to come in and sort out this mess. Atherton was losing thousands of dollars a day. They needed it handled yesterday. The irony was that Matt was good at his job because he treated everyone like they were as corrupt as the Mob—now he’d get his chance to put his skills to the test with the real thing. He just hoped it wouldn’t cost him everything.

Matt arrived unannounced at the Atherton office around 10 AM. He scanned the area and noticed that most of the workers appeared to be on a break. His father had been a construction foreman before he took the Mob’s deal and went to jail for a made man. Matt remembered the stories his father told about working with the Mob. There were rules and as long as you followed them—which often meant paying the right guy a “bonus”—the work got done.

Matt just had to find the right guy. He surveyed the site looking for the man in charge. This man was usually easy to spot, he was often the guy with the clipboard. Matt found this man right away, spotting the guy talking with one of the workers. He was a slight man, but more wiry than frail. His dark salt and pepper hair was thinning at the crown. Matt put his age around sixty.

Walking over, Matt, interrupted him. “Are you the man in change?”

The guy turned to Matt, looking him up and down, sneering as if unimpressed. In a slightly irritated tone, he said, “Yeah. Who are you?”

“I’m Matt…” Matt stopped himself, clearing his throat. He’d almost said Matty, a name he hadn’t used in thirty years. “I’m Matthew Larson, my company is now handling this installation. I’m here to assess the situation. Is everything on schedule?”

The man narrowed his eyes, then scanned his clipboard. “No, we’ve had some unforeseen delays. I don’t see how we can possibly finish on time. We’ll need a few extra days.” The man paused for a second. “Unless you want to pay overtime.”

Matt had to stop himself from laughing. This guy probably thought he was being subtle—not blatantly trying to extort money. “Overtime?” Matt asked, glancing around the room. “What time are they on right now?” Not one person was working. “The job is two months behind. Now, Mr...?”

“Ryerson,” the man said coldly.

“Now, Mr. Ryerson, what is it going to take to get this part of the job done by Monday?”

Ryerson pressed his lips together, keeping his eyes narrowed on Matt, as if trying to figure him out. Matt smiled as if he hadn’t a clue in the world.

Finally Ryerson spoke. “I told you. Overtime.”

Matt crossed one arm over his chest and gripped his chin with the other hand as if he was seriously considering Ryerson’s request. Ryerson leaned his head forward, waiting for Matt to speak. Dropping his hands and shaking his head, Matt said, “No. I don’t want to pay overtime.” Ryerson started to speak, but Matt held up a hand to stop him. “I don’t want to waste the next ten days babysitting you guys while you suck up overtime. I want to know what it’ll cost to get the job done without overtime.”

“Who—” Ryerson started, but then closed his mouth and thought for a minute. Making a sucking sound with his teeth, he looked around the office. “Well,” he started, as if there was any actual assessment of the site, “it’s a big job, and the bid was a little low. It’ll take another twenty K.”

Matt pretended he was considering the amount. He scanned the office as if he too were accessing the remaining work. Of course he knew Atherton was losing two thousand dollars a day in operating costs alone to maintain the west coast servers that should have been shut down two weeks ago. Another twenty thousand dollars wasn’t a lot in the grand scheme of things, but he couldn’t let Ryerson know that. “For twenty thousand I want it done by Friday.”

Ryerson pursed his lips. He studied Matt for a minute, then said, “If you want it done in four days, then you’ll have to talk to Mr. Logan. I can’t make that kind of commitment.”

Matt smiled. He knew the guy was bluffing. Logan, the head of organized crime in New York and New Jersey, wasn’t going to be called in about this tiny job. Without thinking Matt said, “Really? Well I seriously doubt that Logan personally handles things at this level.” Realizing his mistake, he changed tack. “If you want the twenty grand, you’ll finish by Friday, or the contract is cancelled and I’ll find someone else to do the work.” Matt was the one bluffing now. If this crew was connected, then no other company would take the job.

Ryerson bristled. He clearly didn’t like being talked down to. “Let me make a call,” he sneered.

“Sure, I’ll be over here.” Matt pointed toward an empty desk that had been pushed up against the wall.

He leaned against it, waiting for Ryerson to get off the phone. He wanted to kick himself for mentioning Logan’s name so casually. If Ryerson wasn’t completely full of shit and his company was connected to the Mob, he was most likely trying to find out who the hell Matthew Larson was, and whether they should finish the job on time or not. Matthew Larson wasn’t a known entity. He was hoping the higher ups would just take the money offered and not dig any deeper. Ten agonizing minutes later, Ryerson finally got off the phone.

In a matter-of-fact tone, he said, “It’ll cost thirty K if you want it by Friday.”

Without batting an eye, Matt said, “Good, I’m glad we worked this out.”

Matt stood and headed toward the elevator, but before he’d taken two steps, Ryerson asked, “What’d you say your name was?”

Without turning back, Matt said, “Larson, Matthew Larson,” and prayed to God any search they might do would turn up nothing.

Matt shouldn’t have been so snide with Ryerson, but at least now it was done. He’d given them a reason to finish the job. He had all confidence the Mob machine would now be working to his client’s advantage. The thirty thousand dollars he’d just paid would be used to cover their tithe to the organization—the percentage each arm owed the top guys for their protection and inclusion in the system. The original fee for the work would then be used by the company they’d contracted as a profit for their business, which for the most part was probably legitimate. Matt was just glad no one knew his real name. He didn’t need that kind of attention. Ryerson was just throwing around Logan’s name. He probably wanted to see how Matt would react to it, or if Matt even recognized it, which was why Matt should have played dumb. If a wise guy was doing his job right, only the right people knew who he was and what he did. The average New Yorker never saw the Mob. They knew it existed, but they didn’t see it. To them, James Logan was a businessman that happened to make the news occasionally. They didn’t know “Jimmy the Cleaner”, and that was exactly how the Mob wanted to keep it.

On his way back to the hotel, Matt called Faith. He wanted to check-in and he needed to hear a friendly voice. The city was already getting to him.

“Hello,” Faith answered the phone.

“Hey honey, what’s going on?”

“Nothing much. Pete is trying to convince me to let him stay over at David’s this weekend.”

“Are you going to?”

“Of course, but I want him to clean his room first. How did the office look?”

Matt blew out a breath. “They’re still building cubicles, but it’ll be done Friday. I’ll be home Friday night.”

“Friday ... I thought it was going to take them until the end of next week?”

Dismissively Matt said, “They just needed a better incentive. They were angling for a better price.”

“Um,” Faith said hesitantly, “you mean you bribed them to finish?”

“I wouldn’t call it bribing. We just pre-negotiated their tip,” Matt said, as if that explained it. Faith just didn’t understand how it worked.

“I see,” she said, in that skeptical tone she used with their son Pete every time he tried to explain how the dog ate his homework. “So how do you know they’ll finish?”

“The work never takes as long as they estimate. They lowball the bid to get the job, then they use the inconvenience of them being underfoot as an incentive to pay a higher price.”

“So you bribed them to finish?” she repeated, sounding sarcastic.

Matt chuckled, realizing that he’d just rationalized the racketeering practices of the Mob. “Yeah, that’s about right.” Good job, Larson, why don’t you just tell her you used to work for the Mob, too? “We won’t be hiring these guys again, but we’re stuck with them for this job.”

“It sounds like you’re outside.”

“I’m heading back to the hotel. I have some contracts to review, and the network team doesn’t get in until tomorrow.” And there was no way he’d be hanging out at the Atherton office all day. He’d done what he was hired for—getting the job moving. He’d go back tomorrow to get phase two started.

“Mom,” Matt heard Pete’s voice in the background.

“Just a minute,” Faith’s muffled voice called back, then she said, “okay I’ve gotta go, don’t work too hard. Love you babe.”

“Love you too.”

Chapter 4

1985

Mr. Hill told Matty’s mother that he would keep her boy out of trouble. All that really meant was that Matty was assigned more jobs. Juli usually tagged along so Matty didn’t mind the extra work or the extra money. The neighborhood was busier than normal, package drop offs had increased, and Matty noticed several new faces at Miller’s Pub. There was nothing odd about any of that, but there was also an uneasy vibe as if something more was happening than Matty was aware of.

He’d also noticed that Mr. Hill and Mr. Townsend were making more trips into New York City. Matty assumed that was to meet with the higher ups in the organization, which was one more reason Matty thought something must be going on.

He was hanging out with Juli at Demarko’s Pizza when Hill’s driver, Reno, pulled up to the curb.

“Matty,” Reno called from the car. Matty left his pizza and rushed over. “Hill wants you to take this package over to Jefferson, to that place you’ve delivered to before.” Reno handed Matty an unmarked package plainly wrapped in brown paper. It was about half the size of a shoebox, which was a little larger than most of the other items Matty took care of, but not as heavy.

“Sure, is Mr. Hill back from the city?” Matty asked.

“Yeah, they just got back. He said to tell you this was real important.” Reno tapped the small box with his finger to emphasize he meant the package.

Matty and Juli left Demarko’s right away, heading toward the delivery address. They’d been waiting for Ronny and Lenny to show, but the delivery came first. He and Juli would catch up with them later.

“Guess what I heard?” Juli said, as they headed down the street.

“What?”

“I heard the Foster brothers are going to Military School—in Connecticut. I heard they’ve already left.”

“Really? Who did you hear that from?”

“My dad was talking to Mr. Hill on the phone. He told Hill that he’d taken care of the Foster problem, and gave him the name of the school they’d be attending.”

“Wow, so that’s it. There just gone.”

Juli nodded.

Matty wasn’t sure how he felt about that. Lester and Marvin were both jackasses, but to be sent away to school seemed harsh. Of course if Mr. Townsend had been given the job, maybe they got off easy. “What do you think your dad did?”

Shrugging, Juli said, “I don’t know. It probably didn’t take much. A nice polite suggestion from a giant—you know, the usual.”

Juli was making light of his dad’s part, but there was no telling what had really happened. All Matty could be sure of was that Mr. Foster was persuaded by Mr. Townsend—aka “Townsend the Butcher”—to send his sons away. Matty suspected that Juli had an idea of what really happened, but Juli never talked about the specifics of his dad’s job.

Matty tucked the package under his arm. “That explains why we haven’t seen them around. I just thought they were chicken shit.”

Juli snorted, then got serious. “You won’t believe what else I heard.”

“What?” Matty asked cautiously.

Sighing, Juli said, “I heard some of the guys at Miller’s referring to you as ‘Mad Dog’ Dunmore.”

“What? You’re kidding, right?”

“No, Mad Dog,” Juli said sarcastically.

“How did I get that name? You’re the one that wouldn’t stop fighting.”

“Yeah, I know,” Juli said, incredulous. “The story is that you were the one that wouldn’t stop fighting. So you got the name. And it’s a good one too.”

Matty shook his head. “No way, they can’t give me your name. Who did you hear saying it?”

Juli kicked a small pebble, sending it skidding down the sidewalk ahead of them. “I don’t remember, just some guys at Miller’s,” he groused.

Matty could tell his friend was pissed. He’d have been pissed too if it had happened the other way. He’d picked his own E name, but nicknames were given. That was why Juli was disappointed. Matty had been given the nickname that Juli had actually earned from the fight with the Foster brothers, and Matty knew there was nothing either of them could do about it. He would just have to wait and see if it stuck.

As he turned onto Jefferson Avenue, Matty noticed two strange-looking guys in a white van. The driver appeared to straighten up and get the passenger’s attention as Matty and Juli turned the corner.

“So what do you think’s in the package?” Juli asked, pulling Matty’s focus away from the van.

He shrugged. “I don’t know, but it’s not very heavy.”

The entrance to the delivery address was just ahead. With eyes fixed on his destination Matty didn’t realize someone was behind him until he was shoved hard in the back. He careened into Juli and they both stumbled into the alley beside the apartment building. Matty spun around to see the two men from the van standing there. The shorter one was blond and had a close buzz cut.

Buzz Cut’s partner, a stocky guy with dark lanky hair brandished a hunting knife. He had tattooed letters on each finger, which didn’t fit in with his preppy up-town look. “No one gets hurt if you give us the package,” Knife Guy said.

“Yeah,” Buzz Cut added, “just hand it over, kid, and we’ll let you walk away.”

“What should we do?” Juli whispered.

Matty glanced back. The alley they were in was a dead end. “Try to run past them,” he whispered back, “The one that gets through runs to the apartment for help.”

Juli nodded, indicating he understood the plan. If the guys from the van only wanted the package, Juli had a good chance of getting by them—and Juli was fast. Matty had no doubts he’d make it.

“Hey,” Knife Guy said, “there’s nothing to discuss. Give us the damn package.”

“Run!” Matty yelled.

Juli darted to the right as Matty headed left. As soon as Juli had taken off, the men lunged for Matty, knocking him to the ground. He struggled to hold on to the package. His arm felt wet as his grip gave way.

“No,” Matty yelled as the two men ran from the alley—package in hand.

Juli came running around the corner, just as Matty heard the van squeal away.

“Matty, you’re bleeding!”

Looking down Matty saw that blood covered his shirt, and a big gash ran along his arm. The man with the knife had cut him while taking the package.

Juli rushed to his side. He inspected Matty’s cut. “Shit, man, it looks deep. Wait here. I’ll get help.”

Matty wrestled his shirt off, wrapping the bloody mess around his arm. Holding it close to his chest, he kept pressure on the wound as best he could. There was blood everywhere and Juli was right, the cut looked deep.

Juli returned a minute later with a towel. He wrapped it around Matty’s arm, over the bloody shirt.

Juli helped Matty to his feet. “The guy at the delivery address called Mr. Hill, but that’s all he’s willing to do. Reno’s on his way.”

Matty felt nauseous. He leaned against the brick wall for support. Juli helped him hold the towel around the wound. It took forever for Reno to get there. He put Matty in the back seat and told him to stay down, which wasn’t going to be an issue because Matty was about to pass out.

“Open your eyes,” Juli said, sliding into the backseat with him. “Don’t pass out.”

“Yeah, kid, hold tight.” Reno floored it, squealing tires as he peeled out onto the road. He rushed Matty to the back entrance of Miller’s pub, where a doctor was already waiting to stitch Matty’s cut. The wound needed twenty-four stitches. Matty was sure it was going to leave a wickedly ugly scar. Luckily he hadn’t needed any blood. The doctor had him drink plenty of water and orange juice. Matty didn’t feel great, but he was alive.

Mr. Hill handed Matty a new shirt. “If anyone asks how you got hurt, you tell them you got cut picking up broken soda bottles behind the pub. You understand? I’ll call your mother and square things with her.”

Matty just nodded. He was glad they already had a good story. Hill would explain things to his mom and convince her that’s how it happened. Matty knew she’d go ballistic if she ever found out what really happened.

While Hill phoned Matty’s mom, Townsend passed Matty another juice and some cookies. He was ready to go home, but he and Juli had to answer their questions first.

Mr. Hill eyed both boys. “What do you two remember about the guys that jumped you?”

Juli started. “The van was white and looked beat up. It had a bumper sticker on the back, but it didn’t have a tag.”

Matty realized that Juli must have gotten a good look at the van from the back before it sped away. Matty had only seen it from the front.

“What did the bumper sticker say?” Hill asked.

“It was kinda faded, but I think it said ‘KMNR 89.7’. Some radio station I guess.”

“Reno,” Hill barked. “Find out if that’s a local station.”

“On it, boss,” Reno said, heading into the bar.

“What about the two guys?” Hill asked. “What did they look like?”

Matty had seen the two men before they’d jumped him, he’d gotten a good look when they tackled him to the ground too. “They sort of looked hip, but not really.” Hill’s eyebrows drew together. Matty explained. “They were dressed like they were going to a party—you know, sort of overdone, like a costume. But the one guy had a buzz cut, which didn’t fit with the whole look. And the other guy, he had some words tattooed on his fingers, but they looked like prison tats—not the kind a guy like he was pretending to be would have. That guy’s hair was lanky, long, and dark. It just didn’t fit either. And Buzz Cut was blond.”

“Yeah,” Juli chimed in, “and the one guy—Buzz Cut—he was wearing red cowboy boots. It was just weird.”

Matty had forgotten about the boots, but once Juli mentioned it, he remembered seeing them too.

Hill looked at Townsend as if they were silently conferring, then asked, “Have either of you seen them before?”

Matty shook his head. “No.”

“Me either,” Juli added.

“Matty,” Hill said, “Townsend’s going to take you home. I’ve already talked to Audrey. Don’t give her any trouble.”

“Yes, sir.”

Matty didn’t talk much as Mr. Townsend drove him home. His arm was throbbing, and although most of the blood had been cleaned up, he felt sticky like he was still covered in it. He studied the stitches on his arm. They seemed to form a weird elongated crescent shape, a jagged half-moon. It wasn’t going to be pretty.

“That looks like it hurts,” Juli said, looking down at Matty’s arm.

“Yeah,” Matty agreed, looking up as the car slowed. He was glad to be home.

“See you tomorrow?” Juli asked as Matty got out of the car.

“Maybe, although Mom’s probably going to freak out and make me stay home for a few days once she sees the stitches.”

Juli nodded. “Sure, man. Catch you later.”

~#~

Matty’s mom hadn't questioned him about how he got the stitches. She either believed the story about the broken soda bottles, or didn’t really want to know the truth. She was freaked out about the size of the injury, and, as he’d suspected, made him stay home for two weeks so it could heal properly.

Ten days into his confinement, Mr. Hill sent the doctor over to remove the stitches. The gash was healing, but still looked pretty rough. The doc said something about it building character, but Matty would have preferred some less noticeable character.

Matty was going stir crazy being stuck at the apartment. Juli called every few days, so he had the latest scoop, but it wasn’t the same as hang out with his friends. The big news today was something Ronny overheard his dad saying. Apparently the package the goons in the van took from Matty wasn’t the only thing that was taken that week. Several other bosses reported trouble with deliveries. A New York City branch of the family reported a death—their delivery guy was gutted and left to bleed out on the street. That was the only incident to make the news, but the organization was directing a lot of attention to the situation. The higher ups were pissed, but everyone was being tight-lipped about what had actually been taken. None of the guys had heard anything about what was being targeted. All Matty knew was that the package he’d been trying to deliver wasn’t like the ones he’d delivered in the past. It was bigger but not as heavy, which probably meant nothing. It wasn’t like he’d ever been allowed to see what was in the packages.

He was surprised and happy when his mom finally ended house arrest—at least that was how he’d started thinking of his confinement. He called Juli and made plans to meet at Demarko’s for lunch.

Matty was on his second slice of pizza, thrilled to be out of the house, when Ronny and Lenny came running down the street toward the outside table where he and Juli were sitting.

“Juli,” Ronny said, almost out of breath, “guess what we just found?”

“What?” Juli asked.

Ronny leaned down. In a low whisper he said, “We found a way to see into the back room of Miller’s Pub.”

Matty’s eye widened. “How?”

“Follow us and see.” Lenny grinned before taking off back the way he’d come.

Ronny, Matty, and Juli followed Lenny toward Miller’s Pub.

“Glad you’re finally back, Matty,” Ronny said slapping him on the shoulder. “That’s one wicked scar. You have all the luck.”

Juli snorted. “Right, bro, almost bleeding out on the sidewalk—real lucky.”

“You know what I mean, Juli. Anyway, glad you’re back.”

“Thanks, man,” Matty said. “Where exactly are we going?”

“You know that building next door, the one attached to the back room?” Ronny asked.

Matty mentally pictured the front of Miller’s pub. What appeared to be the building next door had always looked closed, because it was actually the back room. The one beside that building was the one Ronny meant. “You mean the laundry, right?”

“Yeah, Jack’s Cleaners. Well they went out of business last week and today some guys picked up a load of equipment and forgot to lock the back door.”

Lenny glanced back over his shoulder, giving Ronny a knowing look. “So we decided to go in and check it out.”

Matty didn’t believe that story for a second. He raised an eyebrow. “They forgot to lock the back door?”

Ronny chuckled. “Well, they remembered to lock the door when they left, but not when they went in. They didn’t even see us sneak in, and they forgot to check that the place was empty before they locked it.”

“Oh, man,” Juli said, shaking his head. “You better hope Dad doesn’t find out.”

“What did you find?” Matty asked.

Ronny shrugged. “Nothing much really, just some old hangers, but then we noticed a door behind some old shelves. I mean who puts a door behind shelves?”

Someone that didn’t want it used, Matty thought, but he didn’t say that out loud. Lenny jumped in with more details.

“After we moved the shelves and opened the door, we found stairs that lead to the roof.”

“And you can see into Miller’s from there?” Matty asked.

“Yep,” Lenny confirmed, “and if you’re really quiet you can hear what’s goin’ on too.”

“Cool ... are you sure no one can see us, because I’m with Juli on this one, Mr. Townsend won’t be happy if he finds out.”

“Quit worrying, Juli. Dad won’t find out—okay, I’m pretty sure he won’t find out. They didn’t seem to notice us before. And we weren’t even being careful at first, were we Lenny?”

“No, not at first, not until we realized where the stairs led. I mean have you ever even noticed those windows in the back room?”

Matty thought of the last time he’d been in the back room. “Yeah, you’re right—because they’re covered in black paint.”

Lenny snorted. “Yeah, well they need to be repainted. The paint’s on the outside, so we just scratched away enough to see through.”

Ronny, who’d moved ahead of the group, held up his hand for everyone to stop. They’d arrived at the pub. Matty spotted Freddy the bartender tossing a bag of trash in the dumpster behind the bar. Ronny lowered his hand once Freddy was back inside. Crouching low, he moved quickly toward the back door to the deserted laundry. Matty followed, glancing around one last time before slipping inside the now empty building. He doubted anyone would be watching this place, but he didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention to their new hideout. Matty closed the door once they were all inside.

With the exception of a few wire hangers and some trash on the floor, the place had been picked clean. It didn’t look like anyone would ever be back.

“The stairs are over here,” Ronny said, leading them toward a large storage closet in the back.

The door to the stairs had been painted over more than once.

“How did you guys get the door open?” Juli asked exactly what Matty was thinking.

The door creaked as Ronny pulled it open. “Screwdriver,” he said.

Matty tapped Lenny on the arm. “You think your dad will buy this place?”

Lenny shrugged. “No clue. He never tells me anything.”

The narrow stairs were dark, musty, and filled with spiders. Matty swiped away one of a hundred spider webs and coughed as a plume of dust tickled his nose.

Ronny cracked open the door and stuck his head through. Whispering, he said, “Okay, it’s clear—follow me.”

A gust of wind blew through the stairs as Ronny pushed open the door to the roof. It kicked up a cloud of debris, practically coating Matty in a fine layer of dust. He had to hold off a sneeze as it blew past him. He patted his clothes, but gave up when he saw Ronny crouch down and practically crawl across the roof to the far edge of the building.

Matty crept over to the windows and lay flat on his belly like the others.

Jack’s Cleaners shared one wall with the back room of Miller’s Pub. The building that held the laundry was shorter than the building that housed the back room, which was why the large room where Mr. Hill conducted his business could have high windows along the side wall.

The windows were just a few inches above the roof line. From here Matty had a bird’s eye view of the action below. “Wow, you can see everything.”

“Shhh,” Lenny hissed. “We have to be quiet to hear anything.”

Matty didn’t need to hear. He could tell what was going on. He searched the room, but Mr. Hill wasn’t there, only Mr. Townsend. But it wasn’t like Hill needed to be there; this was Townsend’s job after all.

A guy Matty didn’t recognize was handcuffed to the rungs of one of the wooden straight back chairs, which had been moved to the middle of the room. Mr. Townsend was working him over, and it looked like he’d been doing it for a while. Matty winced as Townsend hit the guy in the face, again.

Matty assumed the guy must know something about the stolen packages. Why else would Mr. Hill have Townsend beating him up? Matty scooched a little closer to see if he could hear. Listening, he barely made out Mr. Townsend’s words.

“Now I’m going to ask you this one more time,” Townsend said as he punched the guy in the gut. “Who are you working for?”

The guy coughed and spit up blood. “I told you. I work for Carter.”

“Carter, huh? You’re going to have to do better than that.”

Townsend punched him in the gut again, harder this time. He coughed and wheezed, like he was about to die.

Matty had never seen Mr. Townsend working before. He knew that Mr. Townsend was an enforcer, but knowing and seeing were two totally different things. Matty eyed Juli, who was looking down and away. He clearly didn’t want to watch this guy get pummeled either.

“I’m out of here,” Matty whispered, “I don’t want Hill to catch us.”

Juli looked up, nodding. “I’m with you man. Dad will be really pissed if he sees us.”

“Go if you want,” Lenny said, not taking his eyes off the interrogation below, “but I’m staying.”

“Yeah, I’m staying too,” Ronny said.

Matty picked himself up. “Suit yourself.” He and Juli stayed low as they left the roof.

Matty made sure the alley was clear before he darted out the back door. Juli followed close behind. They were both quiet for a few blocks. Matty was thinking about what he’d seen.

Juli broke the silence. “So who do you think that guy was?”

Shrugging, Matty said, “Don’t know, but it didn’t look like he was going to make it out of there.” Matty thought of the blood the guy had coughed up, and how hard Mr. Townsend had been hitting him. It wasn’t pretty.

Juli kept quiet. He never liked talking about his dad’s job.

“Who’s Carter?” Matty asked.

“I’ve never heard Dad mention him.”

“Well, Mr. Townsend didn’t believe him anyway.”

Juli nodded, but let the topic go.

Matty was sitting inside Demarko’s with Juli finishing a soda, when Lenny and Ronny showed up. Lenny slid into the seat beside Matty while Ronny went to the counter to order a drink.

“What did we miss?” Matty asked.

“Well after you two wussed out,” Lenny smirked, and Matty rolled his eyes, “Mr. Townsend hit him a few more times, then he started talkin’.”

“What did he say?”

Before Lenny could finish, Ronny joined them. He handed Lenny a soda, and sat beside his brother, slurping his own drink.

Lenny took a sip, then continued. “The guy said he was hired by Quinn.”

Matty straightened. “Quinn!”

“Yeah, to put pressure on the top guys in local 183 so they would start taking direction from him instead of Parrish.”

“You’re kidding,” Juli said. “Quinn is trying to muscle in on Parrish’s operation. Is he mental?”

Parrish and Quinn both reported to Royce, the head of the organization. But everyone knew Parrish was the next in line for the top spot. He was Royce’s favorite and would succeed him when the time came.

Juli was right, Matty thought, Quinn was mental if he was trying to edge out Parrish. “Do you guys think Quinn sent the two in the van that jumped me and stole the package?”

“If he’s stupid enough to screw Parrish, maybe,” Juli muttered.

Ronny shrugged. “Dunno, the guy didn’t say anything about that.”

Lenny snorted. “Yeah, and he never will now.”

“What do you mean?” In a whisper, Matty asked, “did Mr. Townsend kill him?”

Juli’s eyebrows rose. He looked at Ronny.

Shaking his head, Ronny said, “No, no. The guy was still breathing when they carried him out.”

“Who?” Juli asked.

Lenny leaned in. “My dad came back after Mr. Townsend finished. He told Reno to drive the guy out to the bridge.”

Matty knew what it meant to be driven to the bridge. No one ever came back from the bridge.

“So who’s Carter?” Juli asked.

“Some Chicago guy,” Lenny said, “but Dad doesn’t think he’s involved.”

Matty took another swig of his drink. “So, what’s going to happen to Quinn?”

Lenny shrugged. “Don’t know. Dad made a few calls, but we couldn’t hear anything so we left.”

“Hey, look,” Ronny pointed toward the street. “There’s Reno.”

Matty spotted the car as it cruised by. Reno was alone.

~#~

On his way home, Matty started thinking about the guy in the chair. The nameless wise guy that fingered Quinn as the mastermind behind a plot to shake up the organization—if any of it was true of course. Either way, nothing was ever going to be the same again.

Like most organizations, the Mob had a hierarchy. Mr. Hill was the top guy in Nowhere, but he had bosses too. The head of the family was Jameson “Jack the Ripper” Royce, by all accounts a true made man. He trusted two men, Parrish and Quinn, to help run the business. Although Quinn was at the same level as Parrish, he’d never been considered a candidate for the top spot—not while Parrish was there to take over if anything ever happened to Royce.

Salvatore “the Priest” Parrish was not particularly religious, but in his youth he was known to read a man his last rights before shooting him in the head. At least that was the story Matty had heard.

Mr. Hill worked for Parrish, but Parrish’s favorite was a man named Logan. James “Jimmy the Cleaner” Logan was a few years younger than Hill, but he’d made a name for himself, which put him in the lead with Parrish. Some said he’d made his name by tracking down an old informant for the FBI. When Logan was done he’d cleaned up the mess so well that the guy, his wife, his handler, and two FBI rookies were now officially listed as missing.

If this were the Royal Family, and not the Irish Mob, the line of succession would be Royce, Parrish, and then Logan, but unlike the Royal Family, a few bad decisions and a couple of murders later and you’d have a whole new ball game. If Parrish fell, Quinn would most likely edge out Logan for the next in line spot. Of course, Royce was known for making unexpected decisions—Logan could move up the ranks and take Parrish’s role, including becoming Royce’s new favorite.

Matty was sure that someone was trying to shift power. They either wanted to become the new boss or make someone else the new boss. But was it Quinn or Logan? Matty didn’t think it was Parrish, because Parrish was only a few years away from the top spot anyway, and already above Quinn in the organization, so it seemed unlikely to Matty that he’d try to frame Quinn.

Matty thought Logan or Quinn were more likely. Of course if it were Quinn he really needed to hire better men—ones that wouldn’t roll over on him. The man Mr. Townsend beat up fingered Quinn, but that could have been Logan’s plan to get Quinn out of the way. That would mean Logan wasn’t done yet. He’d still have to take out Parrish, unless he was trying to take over Quinn’s organization and become Royce’s new second. Everyone knew that Logan was ambitious, but to take power from Quinn’s line, then to take out Royce and Parrish—the only way Logan could secure the top spot—would be very hard and could get very messy.

No matter who was trying to win, Matty was sure things would get worse before they got better. A turf war and a power struggle were going to change his world forever.

Chapter 5

2015

Matt got up early to stop by the office and check on progress. He needed Ryerson’s guys to complete entire sections so his people could start setting up the computers and configuring the network. His team had flown in last night. He planned to meet them at the office this morning.

The elevator dinged, opening onto the Atherton floor. Matt was relieved to see the workers working. He checked his watch. It was 9:30 AM, and at least three sections already looked finished. They’d clearly been on the job for a while, and at this pace they’d be back on schedule within two days. He surveyed the room for Ryerson, and found him near an unfinished section. Ryerson’s body language said it all. Matt approached him and sure enough, as soon as he began to explain to Ryerson that his crew would be starting today, Ryerson crossed his arms over his chest.

As soon as Matt finished, Ryerson threw his arms up in an exaggerated fashion. Ranting, he said, “I don’t know nothing about this. I can’t have my team disrupted.”

Matt tried not to sigh. He wasn’t going to pay them more money. “Mr. Ryerson, this isn’t an issue, and it was on the schedule I emailed you last week when my company took over this project.”

“I didn’t get no schedule. The girls at the office handle the email,” he said, as if that mattered.

“The network team will start in the completed sections, not here where your guys are finishing up,” Matt said, waving a hand toward Ryerson’s crew. “I assure you they will not be in your team’s way.”

Ryerson puffed out his chest. “See that they aren’t, or it’ll add time to the schedule.”

Matt had to nip this in the bud. Ryerson was just blustering. “You’ve already agreed to Friday, and nothing has changed. They won’t be in your way.”

Ryerson grunted, before stomping off.

Matt sighed, shaking his head, then perked up as he spotted his team lead getting off the elevator.

“Stacie, over here,” he called to the brunette woman that was looking around at the chaos with raised eyebrows.

“Wasn’t this part supposed to be done a month ago?” she asked.

Matt chuckled. “A few delays, but they’ll have it done by Friday.”

“Good, I hope it wasn’t too pricey. I see your man in charge over there is looking a bit ruffled.”

“Yeah, that’s Mr. Ryerson. Avoid him if you can.”

Stacie just nodded, continuing to survey the office.

“It looks better today—trust me,” Matt said. He had specifically asked for Stacie to lead the project. She’d lived in New York City for fifteen years and knew how most of the crews operated. “When are the others arriving?”

“They’re downstairs getting coffee,” she said. “Where’s the equipment?”

Matt showed Stacie around the office. When they passed Ryerson for the third time, Matt said, “He and I have already agreed on Friday. Route him to me if he gives you any trouble.”

“Will do.”

Matt greeted the rest of the team as they got off the elevator. He’d decided to stick around to help out for a few hours, after Ryerson cornered Stacie the minute he’d left the office to use the restroom. Matt didn’t want any problems this early in the project.

Rolling up the sleeves of his white L&B button down, Matt wished he’d worn a different shirt. Of course he hadn’t planned to be lugging computers around or crawling under desks. After an hour Matt ran downstairs to grab some snacks for the team. He’d seen a little coffee shop on the corner when he arrived yesterday, and knew it would have everything he needed.

~#~

Ronny Townsend was in New York City today to meet his brother Julian. Ronny was normally in Nowhere, and only came into the city on the rare occasion that Lenny invited him to a meeting with Logan—which was almost never. Julian, who lived in God-knows-where these days, was in town for business. He hated Nowhere, but Ronny had been hounding him since their dad moved to Boca. He hadn’t seen his brother in more than three years, so he was glad Julian finally had business in the city.

Ronny had just placed his coffee order, when a guy in a white button down stepped up beside him. Ronny wasn’t really paying attention to the guy—this was just another one of the eight million people in New York City on any given day—until he overheard the overly-pierced and tattooed cashier gasp.

“Wow that’s a serious lookin’ scar man, what happened?”

Glancing down, Ronny saw the man’s arm just before he started rolling down his sleeve. Ronny knew that scar.

“I got it as a kid, picking up old soda bottles,” the man said, as if he’d repeated this story a hundred times before.

Ronny couldn’t believe it. He was looking at a dead man. But how the hell could this guy be Matty Dunmore? Was this really the kid that disappeared from Nowhere over thirty years ago?

“Hey, dude,” Ronny’s cashier said, waving a five dollar bill in his face. “Your change.”

Ronny narrowed his eyes at the slacker behind the counter and grabbed the money. He stepped away from the counter, into the shadowed alcove near the restrooms, continuing to watch. The guy had stepped back, waiting for his coffee. His hair was on the long side of short, a dark blond with a slight curl to the ends, just like Matty’s had been.

The barista behind the counter called, “Charles,” which was the name Ronny had given when ordering. He ignored the coffee, not wanting Matty get a good look at him. Ronny sported a super close cut these days, but he still looked just like his dad. He was surprised Matty hadn’t noticed him at the counter, but from the back he probably looked like any big guy in a suit. Based on Matty’s body language, it was clear he had no clue that Ronny stood behind him.

It wasn’t long before the barista called out, “Larson,” and the man Ronny believed to be Matty Dunmore stepped up to the counter. He picked up five drinks and two boxes of pastries, which had been packed neatly in a cardboard box. Ronny watched as someone held the door for Larson as he left with his arms full.

Ronny waited a few seconds, then followed his old friend at a discrete distance.

Larson headed into the building next door. Ronny followed him into the lobby. He hung back, but listened when Larson got on the elevator.

“Twenty-four, please,” Matty said to the man that followed him in. Ronny waited for the elevator doors to close, then he stepped into the elevator bay, checking the directory near the call buttons.

Twenty-four was empty—no listing at all. Ronny walked over to the guard that had checked Larson’s ID. The guy was playing on his phone, barely even looking up as tenants passed. He jumped when he saw Ronny looming over his desk.

“Can I help you?” he asked in a weak voice.

Ronny took out a hundred dollar bill from his wallet. He showed it to the guard, whose eyes were fixed on the cash. “Was that Matthew Larson?”

The guard licked his lips, but didn’t break eye contact with the money. “I don’t know, maybe.”

Ronny pulled out another hundred.

“Yep, that was Matthew Larson.”

“What’s on the twenty-fourth floor?”

The guard shrugged. “I don’t know, an office? I only been here a week.”

Ronny dropped the cash on the guard’s desk and left the building. He took out his cell phone and dialed Lenny.

“Yeah,” Lenny answered.

“Boss, it’s Ronny. Guess who I just saw buying coffee?”

Lenny sighed. “Who?”

“Someone we haven’t seen in thirty years.” Ronny waited a beat, as if Lenny might guess.

“Ronny. I don’t have all day—who?”

“Lenny, you’re gettin’ grouchy in your old age.” Ronny could practically hear Lenny seething. Deciding not to push him, Ronny said, “Matty.”

There was a pause—for a minute Ronny thought Lenny had hung up. Then a calm voice said, “Who?”

“Matty Dunmore, but that ain’t the name he’s using now.”

Ronny heard Lenny’s chair squeak and a muffled command to clear the office. In a clipped tone, Lenny returned to the line. “You just saw Matty Dunmore buying coffee?”

“Oh, yeah it’s him. He’s got the same scar on his arm, and he’s telling the same lie about it.”

“What’s the name?” Lenny growled.

Ronny hesitated for a minute—Lenny wasn’t behaving at all like he’d expected.

“Ronny. What’s the name he’s using?”

“Matthew Larson.”

There was a pause, and Ronny could hear Lenny typing. “Why’s he here?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t follow him up in the elevator, but I can go back—”

“No,” Lenny cut him off, “let me do some checking first.” Ronny could hear more typing. “Which building was he in?”

“The old Lewis building, in mid-town.”

“Stay away from him, and leave Julian out of this.”

“Sure boss,” he said, but Lenny had already hung up.

Ronny was surprised by Lenny’s reaction. It had been thirty years, but they’d all been friends. It was weird, Lenny was behaving like Matty was a mark. There was no way Ronny was keeping this from Julian. He wished now he’d told Julian first.

Ronny had recently found out Mr. Hill, Lenny’s father, had never believed Matty was dead. According to his dad, Mr. Hill tried for years to find Matty and his mother after they disappeared. Ronny had always assumed Matty and his mom had been killed. He was glad to know they hadn’t been, so why was Lenny acting so strange?

~#~

Lenny tapped his pen on the desk. He couldn’t believe his luck. Matty Dunmore was back from the grave. After thirty years he was finally looking into the eyes of the bastard that ruined his life.

The smiling face of Mathew Larson taunted him from the L&B Consulting website. Matty was a founding partner of the Orlando based firm, and according to his profile he had a wife and a son. Lenny had done a few more searches, but Larson wasn’t the most unique name. He’d stumbled onto the website because the company Matty co-owned had been in the news lately, otherwise he could have searched for days and not found him. He’d have to hire a finder to dig around for the details.

Lenny grabbed his cell and dialed Tony Maddox. Tony’s guys worked all the jobs in mid-town, so if anything was going on he’d know the score. Did Matty really think he could come back to the city and not be discovered? No one walks away. His father had been soft where Matty and Matty’s mom were concerned. Lenny didn’t have that problem.

Lenny was now the guy that ran Nowhere. Ronny worked for him, just like Ronny’s father, Mr. Townsend, had worked for Lenny’s father. He’d have to keep Ronny out of this. He didn’t want Ronny’s false sense of loyalty to an old friend to get in the way. This thing was between him and Matty—no one else.

“Yo,” Rex, Tony’s right hand man answered on the first ring.

“This is Hill. Let me speak to Tony.”

“Just a minute.” Rex lowered the phone. In the background Lenny heard him yell, “yo Tony, it’s Hill. Line one.”

There was a click, then Tony answered, “What’s up?”

“Do you have any guys working in the old Lewis building?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Are you doing a job for L&B Consulting?”

“Yes and No. Atherton hired them to come in and sort things out.” Tony chuckled. “But they paid up. There’s a guy named Larson that Ryerson mentioned. Is he connected?”

“No, he ain’t connected, why?”

“Ryerson said he was acting cocky. Used Logan’s name like he knew it. Who is he?”

Lenny gritted his teeth. “He’s nobody. Just an old score to settle. I’ll handle it. When’s he leaving?”

“Friday, unless it needs to be longer?”

“No, no, keep the schedule. I don’t want him tipped off.”

“Will do.”

Lenny ended the call with Tony, and dialed the best finder in the business. He called Ruben Walsh—a man that could find out anything about anybody. And Lenny wanted to know everything about Matthew Larson.

~#~

Ryerson was giving the team a hard time as Matt stepped off the elevator with the coffee and pastries from downstairs. He sent the team on a break.

Matt was beyond annoyed. They’d already agreed on the price and the timeline. “What is it now, Ryerson?”

“Like I was telling the little lady, we have to move all the equipment. It’s in our contract.”

“You agreed to Friday.” Matt held up his hand, stopping Ryerson from interrupting. “That’s not changing. How many more guys do we need? What’s this going to cost?” Matt was tired of haggling. This needed to be resolved now. Matt motioned for him to continue.

Ryerson opened his mouth to answer, but stopped when his phone rang. He held up a finger as he answered, then stepped out of earshot.

Matt crossed his arms over his chest, waiting.

Ryerson returned a minute later. “It’s not going to cost you anything.”

“Nothing?”

“Nothing extra. That’s what I was trying to explain to the lady. One of my guys has to work with them to move the equipment. That’s all. She’s the one that—”

Matt held up his hand, stopping Ryerson again. He didn’t want to hear his bullshit. “Yeah, okay, and no additional time either, right?”

“We agreed on Friday. We keep our commitments,” Ryerson said, indignant.

Matt snorted, then realized Ryerson was trying to be serious. Okay, but this about face seemed a little too convenient. “Fine, who’ll move the equipment?”

“Jenkins,” Ryerson yelled. A man in the next room stuck his head out. “You’re on moving detail. See the techies.”

“Okay, boss.”

Matt watched as a dark-haired guy in his twenties walked over to where Stacie and the team were taking their break. She looked over at Matt, and he gave her a nod. “Fine, but he better not delay my team.”

“Oh, no sir, it won’t. Jenkins is a fine worker.”

“Good,” Matt said, but he had an uneasy feeling about Ryerson’s attitude. The “no sir” comment just pissed him off, and it seemed out of character. He’d make sure Stacie had his contact information. He wouldn’t be surprised if there wasn’t another incident before the day was over.

~#~

Julian was in town on business. He’d been delayed by three days, handling a small problem down in the Florida Keys. He worked freelance jobs of a sort—the kind of jobs people with a lot of money and very few scruples needed done quickly, quietly, or permanently. He was in the city today for an overseas client. He rarely worked for the local Mob, and had no direct ties to the organization. He didn’t consider his brother Ronny, his father, or his past affiliation a direct tie. He’d never taken a job from Lenny, nor would he, and Ronny knew better than to ask.

Julian was already at the restaurant when Ronny called and asked him to meet in front of the old Lewis building. It was only a few blocks away, so Julian decided to walk.

Ronny was standing across the street from the building when he arrived.

“Why are we here?” Julian asked.

“Guess who I saw buying coffee earlier?” Ronny said.

Julian rolled his eyes. “Just tell me.”

“Lenny couldn't guess either.”

“Ronny, I don’t have all day.” This wasn’t completely true. He’d finished up part of the job he was in town for already. He just had a few loose ends to handle, but he had no desire to play twenty questions with his brother.

“I saw Matty. After thirty years, there he was.”

Julian raised his eyebrows in shock. His friend Matty had disappeared thirty years ago—and for thirty years Julian was sure he’d been killed. Ronny had to be mistaken. “Matty? Matty Dunmore?”

“Yeah, man. Matty Dunmore. Can you believe it?”

Julian shook his head. “No. Are you sure it was him?”

“It was him. I saw that scar on his arm—looks just like I remember. It couldn’t be anyone else.”

“Did he recognize you?”

“No. He didn’t see me.”

Julian rubbed his forehead, still not able to believe this was real. Then he scanned the area. They were exposed standing out in the open. “Where is he now?”

Ronny nodded toward the building. “He’s in there. Going by the name Larson now, Matthew Larson.”

Julian made note of Matty’s new name. “Are you waiting for him?”

“No, Lenny wants us to stay away from him. He doesn’t want Matty to know.”

“Oh, really. Lenny wants us to stay away. That’s reason enough to pay him a visit.” Julian took a step forward.

Ronny grabbed his arm. “Julian, don’t do this just to spite Lenny. Matty made it out—do you really want to pull him back in?”

Julian thought for a moment. He had so many questions, but Ronny was right. Matty was out—he probably had a normal life with two point five kids and a dog. “Fine, but you told Lenny. Is he going to leave Matty alone?” Ronny hesitated, which told Julian all he needed to know. “He told you not to tell me didn’t he?”

Ronny nodded.

Julian rolled his eyes. “You need a new job, brother.”

“I like my job. Lenny’s not that bad... Hey, there he is.” Ronny pointed across the street. “The guy in the white button down. That’s Larson.”

“Let’s follow him,” Julian said, taking a step off the curb.

Ronny groaned, but kept up. “He might see us.”

Julian glanced back, eyebrow cocked, but didn’t stop. “Ronny, people pay me to be invisible. I think we’ll manage.”

They followed Matty to a few souvenir shops, then back to his hotel. Ronny waited outside while Julian went into the hotel.

Hanging back, Julian watched as Matty stopped by the front desk, then got on the elevator. It was Richter time, he thought as he sauntered up to the front desk, tipping his imaginary hat to the young woman behind it. He smiled and used his best good ole boy accent.

“Well hey there sweetness. I was wonderin’ if you could tell me if that was Matthew Larson that just got on that elevator?” Julian paused, then added. “It’s been twenty years since I seen that boy. He and I went to college together.”

“Well.” The woman at the front desk was a little hesitant, so Julian flashed his megawatt smile. “I’m not really supposed to discuss the guests, but let me check.”

Julian waited patiently, trying to look like an innocent tourist.

“Yes,” she said, smiling, “that was Matthew Larson. I’ll just give him a quick call.” She grabbed the phone and dialed a number before Julian could stop her. Luckily no one answered. She hung up, frowning. “I’m sorry, he’s not there yet. Do you want me to take a message?”

“That’s not necessary. I’m gonna park these tired dogs for a bit in the bar. I recon he’ll be down directly for that afternoon libation. I’ll catch him then, darlin’.”

She nodded, giving Julian a girlish giggle.

“You don’t mind if I use your phone, do you, sweetness?” Julian smiled, showing his dimples. Women couldn’t generally refuse the dimples.

She looked over toward the side wall. He was sure she was about to direct him to one of the house phones. With a wink, he reached over the counter, and spun her phone around before she could object. He quickly tapped the redial, catching sight of Matty’s room number, then cleared it before she noticed. After a few seconds, he hung up.

“Seems nobody’s home today, sweetness, but you’ve been an absolute peach.” Julian tipped his imaginary hat again and headed toward the bar. He left the hotel through the street entrance at the front of the bar, which was out of sight from the front desk.

Julian and Ronny took a taxi to Mama Lucy’s where Julian had been waiting before Ronny called. He needed to know more about the situation. He didn’t trust Lenny to leave Matty alone. Julian wasn’t familiar with the exact specifics, but he knew Lenny had it bad where Matty was concerned. Julian had written Lenny off years ago, and while he’d prefer to leave Matty out of this, he wouldn’t let Lenny screw Matty over because of some perceived slight from thirty years ago.

Getting away from the Mob once wasn’t easy, but twice would be impossible. He wouldn’t pull Matty back into this life unless he had to. Julian had questions. He wanted to know why his friend disappeared all those years ago, but not at the cost of Matty’s freedom.

“What does Lenny want with Matty?” Julian asked, thinking Ronny might know why Lenny would go out of his way now.

Ronny shrugged. “Don’t know exactly, but he was different after Matty left. He was always jealous of Matty. He thought Hill treated Matty better—Matty got all the jobs, and attention. I think Lenny expected things to change when Matty disappeared, but they didn’t. Did you know Hill searched for Matty and his mother?”

“Did Lenny tell you that?”

“No, pop mentioned it a few weeks ago. Said Hill never believed the kid was dead.”

“Really?” That was news to Julian. A lot had been going on then, but he never remembered thinking Matty had just left. Maybe he’d made too many assumptions back then. There was a lot happening with the organization. Everything had changed after that, and to him Matty was just gone.

“I shouldn’t have told Lenny,” Ronny shook his head.

“Just keep me informed. Let me know what he’s planning. I’ll keep Larson out of this if I can, but I’m not going to let Lenny screw with his life.”

Chapter 6

1985

Things around Nowhere had really started to heat up. Everyone was being more cautious. Mr. Hill told Matty to let him know if he saw anything suspicious. Juli said that his father, Mr. Townsend, told him and Ronny the same thing. No one was above suspicion.

The hideout, as they all called it, was awesome. Matty had been sure they’d be discovered or the owners would come back to clean the place up, and they’d find the door, but no one ever returned—not even a realtor to put out a for sale sign.

As far as Matty knew, nothing had happened to Quinn or Parrish since the guy they’d seen being beaten up squealed. There had been no reorganization either, so Matty assumed they were both still around, but that didn’t mean everything was the same.

Hill brought in three extra guys for protection. The only one that seemed to know the ropes was a guy they called “the Russian”. He was a freelance tough guy. He’d worked for several different organizations over the years, and even spent some time in Vegas. But the Russian wasn’t even Russian. He was just some guy from Queens.

The way Matty heard it, two years ago the Russian got caught cheating at poker. He had two options. He could take a beating from Little Joey or play a quick game of Russian Roulette. The Russian decided he had better odds with the gun. Matty thought they should have called him Lucky, because what he didn’t know was that the gun would be loaded with five bullets instead of one. At least that was the story told, but Matty “Mad Dog” Dunmore knew a few things about nicknames, and you couldn’t always believe what you heard.

Matty knew nothing about the other two guys Hill hired, but after Ronny called them Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Dee, since they looked so alike—though Dum was the beefier one—and the names stuck within the gang. The Tweedles were probably good at something, but Matty hadn’t figured out what that was yet.

He and Juli were sitting outside Demarko’s when a man Matty recognized drove by.

Matty swatted Juli’s arm to get his attention. “Did you see that?”

“What?”

“That guy that just drove by. I think it was Max Kalen.”

Max “The Accountant” Kalen was Quinn’s right hand man, and the last person Matty expected to see in Nowhere.

“Really?” Juli craned his neck as if looking for the car. “Let’s go check it out.”

Kalen was already inside the back room by the time they reached the hideout. Matty lay down beside Juli on the roof in his usual spot. From there he could see everything below. Mr. Townsend’s arms were crossed over his chest. He stood behind Mr. Hill who was sitting at his desk with his hands steepled in front of him. The Russian was perched on the corner of Mr. Hill’s desk, but his back was ramrod straight. The Tweedles were off to the side glaring at Kalen. Tension was high and everyone appeared to be waiting on Kalen to speak.

Matty remained quiet. He didn’t want to miss a word.

Mr. Hill finally broke the silence. “What brings you into town, Kalen?”

“We need to talk,” Kalen glanced around at all the stern faces, “in private.”

“You three,” Hill said to the Tweedles and the Russian, “wait outside. Townsend stays.”

“Fair enough,” Kalen said, then waited for the others to clear the room.

“Now. What’s this about?” Hill asked.

“I’ve been hearing rumors, and I don’t like what I’m hearing.”

Hill raised one of his eyebrows. “What kind of rumors?”

“The kind that involve Quinn and Chicago.” Kalen said.

Chicago ... the guy that rolled on Quinn mentioned Chicago, Matty remembered.

Hill didn’t say anything, he just stared as if waiting for Kalen to continue.

Kalen’s hands came up, then he stilled as if he’d caught himself fidgeting. Relaxing his arms, he added, “I think Quinn’s being compromised by outside influences.”

Townsend eyed Mr. Hill, but Hill didn’t react. “What makes you think that?” Hill asked, calmly.

Kalen ran his hand through his hair, giving up any pretense that he wasn’t nervous or scared. “I’ve been hearing a lot lately about some guy named Carter, but I don’t know no guy named Carter. There seems to be a lot I don’t know lately.”

Lenny said Carter was from Chicago.

Hill pursed his lips as if thinking. “You’re Quinn’s top man. How do you not know what’s going on?”

Kalen jutted his chin toward Townsend. “Does he know everything that you know? Or does he know what you want him to know?”

Hill seemed to consider that, then said, “What do you want from me?”

“Nothing. I just want you to be aware of the situation,” Kalen said. “I can’t exactly go to Parrish. Quinn would find out. But I’m planning to keep my eyes open. I just want to know someone will listen if I have information to share.”

“Not very loyal behavior.” Hill stated, and Matty agreed.

Kalen shook his head. “Let’s just say I don’t think Quinn has my best interest in mind, and if he’s trying to take control, he’s not planning to include me,” Kalen paused, “and my loyalty is to the family first.”

Hill’s lip curled up on one side. “So you want me to tell Parrish that you have decided to be our eyes and ears in Quinn’s organization.”

“That’s right.”

Matty didn’t like where this was going, but maybe it was the only way to find the real culprit. Of course Matty wasn’t sure he’d trust a man willing to sell out his boss.

“Why should I believe you?” Hill asked.

Kalen shrugged. “You shouldn’t. But the way I see it you have no choice. If Quinn is doing what I think he’s doing, we could both be out of a job, or worse.” Kalen looked at Townsend. “You remember, five years back, all the shit goin’ down. It was bad. I don’t want that again.” Kalen looked back at Hill. “I don’t want to die. You can count on that.”

Hill paused for a minute. He brought his steepled fingers to his lips, studying Kalen, then nodded. “All right, I’ll tell Parrish you dropped by, but don’t screw up.”

Kalen straightened, as if offended, then visibly relaxed and gave a quick head nod. “But I’m only talking to you. Parrish will have to hear it second hand.”

Hill nodded.

“Don’t spread it around that I was here,” Kalen said, “and make sure your goons don’t say anything.”

Townsend stiffened. “You should be more worried about your people. We have everything under control here.”

Kalen left without saying another word. Matty stayed focused on the room below. This was why the hideout was so awesome. He actually got to hear what Mr. Hill and Mr. Townsend thought—not just what they were willing to say in front of him.

“Do you trust him?” Townsend asked.

Mr. Hill chuckled, shaking his head. “Hell no. I think he’s playing both sides, but we might get some information out of him. I’ll let Parrish make the final call.”

“Do we need the car?”

“Yeah, this message needs to be delivered in person. I want to see Parrish’s face when I tell him Kalen wants to roll over on Quinn.”

Mr. Townsend’s lips turned up in a wicked smile. “I’ll get Reno.”

“No,” Hill said, stopping him. “Just you and me for this one.”

Matty waited while the men left, keeping as quiet as possible. Finally, after hearing a car start and pull away, he whispered. “That sounds serious.”

“Hell yeah,” Juli whispered back, “What do you think Parrish will say?”

Matty shrugged. “Let’s get out of here.”

~#~

Nothing new happened for days. Matty never heard anything specifically discussed about Kalen’s visit or what Parrish said when Hill and Townsend delivered the news. It was business as usual as far as Matty could tell.

Matty and Juli were hanging out at the hideout watching the activity in the back room. It was pretty dead today and Matty was getting bored. He and Juli were waiting for Ronny and Lenny to get there, or he would have already suggested they leave. Matty’s attention was piqued when Townsend answered the phone, then checked to make sure his gun was loaded.

“That was Kalen,” Townsend said, holstering his weapon. “He said the guys that jumped Matty are at the Peach.”

Matty’s eyebrows rose. He glanced at Juli, who mouthed, “Awesome!”

Hill put down the paperwork he’d been reviewing. “How does he know?”

“Didn’t say,” Townsend replied.

“Reno,” Hill barked, getting the drivers attention.

“Yeah, boss.”

“Get down to the Peach—the two guys that jumped Matty have been spotted there.”

Townsend eyed the Tweedles. “You two go with him.”

They nodded and followed Reno out the back.

Turning to Townsend, Hill said, “Find Matty and Julian, we’ll need them to ID the men.”

Matty’s eyes widened. Oh, crap, they couldn’t be found here.

Juli must have been thinking the same thing. “We better head over to Demarko’s—that’s where they’ll look first,” he whispered.

Matty nodded.

Ten minutes later Mr. Townsend pulled up to the curb outside Demarko’s Pizza. He and Juli were sitting at their usual table drinking a soda.

“Julian, Matty,” Mr. Townsend called from the car, “Hill needs to see you at the pub.”

“What’s up?” Matty asked as he climbed into the back seat.

“We need you to ID the guys that jumped you.”

“You caught em?” Juli asked.

“We’ll see,” Townsend answered.

The back room was empty except for Mr. Hill when Townsend ushered Matty and Juli in through the back door. Mr. Townsend motioned for them to sit at the card table, then went over to talk with Mr. Hill.

Juli picked up the deck of cards. “Rummy?”

Matty shrugged. “Why not.”

They had just started their second game when Matty heard the screech of tires outside. His heart beat a little faster, as the door swung open. Reno and the Tweedles came busting through with two very unwilling companions.

“What’s goin’ on man? We didn’t do nothin’ to you,” Buzz Cut said with a lazy slurred drawl. He sounded stoned.

His clothes had changed. He was now wearing faded jeans and a torn rock band t-shirt. Nothing like the overdone wannabe poser he’d been before. Of course, he was still wearing the red cowboy boots. Buzz Cut struggled to get free from one of the Tweedles, but he wasn’t going anywhere.

Knife Guy, the stockier of the two, was being held by his long dark hair. The Tweedle holding him had his arm wrenched back, which made him scream like a little girl as he was manhandled into the back room.

“Take it easy, or I’m going to break your arm,” Tweedle number one said to Buzz Cut.

The Tweedles forced the two into the straight back chairs that were waiting in the middle of the room. Mr. Townsend and Reno cuffed each man to his chair while the Tweedles held them in place. Once they were secure, everyone stepped back, watching the two men struggle a bit against their cuffs, until they realized they weren’t going anywhere. The Tweedles cracked their knuckles and stretched their necks from side to side like they were getting ready to box.

Mr. Hill waited patiently for the two to settle down, then looked at Matty. “Do these two look familiar? Did they jump you and take the package?”

“Yes sir,” Matty said.

“The kid’s lying, man. We never seen him before,” Buzz Cut argued.

“It’s them. I’m sure,” Matty confirmed.

“It’s definitely them,” Juli added. “Who else would wear red cowboy boots?”

The Tweedles chuckled.

Mr. Townsend stepped up in front of the bound men. “Matty, Julian, you two get out of here—go home.”

Matty and Juli left the back room, but they didn’t go home. As soon as they were outside, Matty looked at Juli and cocked his head toward the hideout. Juli nodded.

Matty had expected to find Ronny and Lenny on the roof waiting for them, but they still weren’t there.

Unlike the last guy Hill’s men had strapped to one of the interrogation chairs, these two were sticking to the Carter story. They never once mentioned Quinn.

Matty watched, wincing once or twice as the Tweedles pounded the crap out of those two. “I guess we now know why they were hired,” Matty muttered.

It wasn’t long before it was obvious the two didn’t have anything else to say. Mr. Hill had the Tweedles take them away, then he made a call.

“It’s Hill. We just took care of that problem you mentioned.”

Must be Kalen, Matty realized.

“No,” Hill continued, “they didn’t give up Quinn’s name. Where’d you find these guys?”

A pause, while Kalen spoke.

Hill stood, pacing as far as the phone cord would allow. “Did you see them talking to Quinn?” Hill’s voice raised. “So you don’t know if they were taking their orders from Quinn or not? Do you think Carter had something to do with it?”

Hill shook his head at Townsend as the person on the other end spoke.

“Let me know if you hear anything. I’ll update Parrish.” Hill hung up the phone.

“What does Kalen know?” Townsend immediately asked.

Hill sighed. “Not much. He said the two had been hanging around for a few weeks, but he never saw them talking to Quinn.”

“What do you think this means?”

Hill shrugged. “Hell if I know.”

Matty heard someone coming up the stairs. He looked back, hoping it was just Ronny and Lenny. He breathed easier when he saw Lenny coming through the door.

“Where have you guys been?” Lenny asked quietly.

Matty push off the ground and motioned for everyone to follow him back downstairs. Once on the ground floor, he slid out the crate he’d salvaged from the dumpster behind the pub and sat down. Ronny leaned against the empty shelves along the wall, and Juli snagged the stool with the wobbly leg—another find from the dumpster.

Lenny hopped up on the counter, his usual spot. “Where were you guys?”

Matty answered. “We were here earlier waiting on you guys, but we had to leave.”

“Hill found the two that jumped us,” Juli said. “We had to leave so they could find us and bring us down to the pub.”

“How’d they find the guys that jumped you?” Ronny asked.

“Kalen,” Matty and Juli both answered.

Lenny pulled his right foot up to retie his shoe laces. “How did he find out?”

Juli shrugged. “We don’t know.”

Ronny straightened. “So that’s who was in the car. The two guys with the Russian, they were the ones that jumped you?”

Matty shook his head. “No, man. It couldn’t have been. Reno and the Tweedles picked them up. We haven’t seen the Russian all day.”

Lenny looked at Ronny, brows furrowed. “When did you see the Russian?”

“I don’t know. Earlier. Before I ran into you.”

“What did the two guys with the Russian look like?” Juli asked. “Have you seen them before?”

Ronny held up his hands, as if his brother was interrogating him. “I didn’t really get a good look. I just noticed that the Russian was driving two guys toward the city.”

Matty wondered if the Russian had been given that job before they’d made it to the hideout. Maybe Hill had tasked the Russian with a job in the city—but what if he didn’t? “Should we tell Hill?”

Ronny shook his head. In a voice a little higher pitched than normal, he said, “I don’t want to tell Mr. Hill that. The guy was just driving—”

“With two guys you didn’t recognize, bro—Dad said to keep an eye out.”

“Come on Juli, you want me to tell dad and Mr. Hill what I saw when I don’t really know what I saw. It’s probably nothing.”

“We should at least keep our eye on the Russian. We can tell dad and Mr. Hill if he does anything else. Agreed?”

Everyone nodded. Mr. Hill had told Matty to keep an eye out, but there was no reason to jump the gun and cry wolf if it was nothing. The Russian could have been driving two people around that had nothing to do with anything, but Matty agreed with Juli, they couldn’t ignore it completely.

“Okay, we’ll follow him around for a few days,” Juli said. “If nothing comes up we drop it.”

Everyone agreed.

Chapter 7

2015

Lenny asked the best finder in the business, Ruben Walsh, to discover everything he could about Matthew Larson. He was waiting impatiently for the information when the old desk phone in the back room rang. He’d kept everything exactly like it was when his father ran the business—including the old rotary-dial monstrosity, which looked more like a museum exhibit than a working telephone.

“Yeah, this is Hill,” Lenny answered.

“This is Walsh. I have the information you requested.”

“What did you find out?”

“Everything.”

Lenny closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose—everything included the one thing he vowed never to speak of, think of, or discuss ever again.

“How much do you want?” Lenny asked, praying Walsh wasn’t planning to be too greedy.

“Ten thousand dollars.”

“Ten-K? This is normally a two-K job,” Lenny said, hoping to make it sound like he had nothing to hide.

Walsh chuckled. “The other eight-thousand is to forget what I know about Matthew Larson. Unless, of course, you’d prefer I not forget what I know, Mr. Hill.”

Lenny clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth together. He wasn’t sure how Walsh discovered the one thing Lenny had buried so deep it shouldn’t have found the light of day ever—the thing he refused to even think about.

“Fine, but how do I know you have the information I need?”

“In good faith I’ll provide a teaser—most of which you could have acquired for twenty-nine ninety-nine via an online background search had you bothered. Again, not what you’re paying me to forget.” Clearing his throat, Walsh began, “Thirty years ago Matty Dunmore and his mother moved to Florida, where Audrey met and married a man named Peter Larson. Peter adopted Matthew and gave him his last name. Peter and Audrey died in a car crash three years ago. Matthew is married to Faith Larson, and they have one son, Pete, who is twelve years old. I assume the child was named after Matthew’s adoptive father, but that’s just a guess. Matthew and a man named Jay Baxter started Larson & Baxter Consulting sixteen years ago. It is a well-established successful company on the cusp of major growth. Larson is worth about four million dollars.” Walsh took a breath before continuing. “I’ll need payment if you want the rest. Once I’ve confirmed the funds have been transferred, I’ll send you a link with download instructions, and forget we ever had this conversation.”

“Where does he live now?” Lenny asked.

“He still lives in Florida. The address will be in the download. I expect the money within the hour, or I’ll sell this file to the highest bidder.”

“Is that a threat?” Lenny asked, voice low.

“No, it’s encouragement not to dawdle,” Walsh said, then hung up.

Lenny slammed the phone back on the cradle. He drummed his fingers on the desk—the same desk his father had used. Looking around, he realized the back room wasn’t as big as it had seemed when he was younger. He should just rip it all down and start over, then maybe the ghosts of his past would leave him alone. Unfortunately he couldn’t bring himself to change it. Not one damn thing.

Lenny pulled out his cell phone and opened the banking app to initiate the transfer. He was staring at his empty email inbox thinking about Matty’s family when Ronny walked in.

“What did you find out about Matty?” Ronny asked.

Lenny narrowed his eyes at Ronny. “Did you tell Julian about this?”

“You said to leave him out of it.”

Lenny studied Ronny’s face. He could read people. He’d been doing it all his life and he was good at it—but he’d never been able to read Ronny, which either meant his friend never lied to him, or he just had the ability to lie without remorse. Of course his answer was vague.

“You told him nothing, right?” Lenny pressed, hoping to hell Ronny had left Julian out of this.

“He cancelled on me. I haven’t even seen him. So, what did you find?”

“Walsh is still looking into it.” Lenny glanced at the screen when his incoming email sounded. It was the download link from Walsh. “You don’t need to hang around. You can take the rest of the day off. But if you see Julian later, leave him out of this. That’s an order.”

~#~

Julian got up early the next day. He dressed as a bike messenger, sans the bike, and headed for Matty’s hotel. He had business to take care of later, but first he wanted to check out Matty’s room. Ronny called last night and let him know that Lenny contacted Walsh, which meant there was probably a file out there with pictures of his kids, if he had them, his wife, if he were married, and anything else that a man like Walsh could find—which was everything. It might even have his dental records, back taxes, and anything else stored as electronic data. Walsh was that good. Julian told Ronny to get a copy if he could and email it to him.

Julian wanted to know why Matty left. It had been bugging him since yesterday. All the events of that summer were rolling around in his head. There’d been a lot going on then. The Russian, the turf war, and Carter. For the last thirty years, Julian assumed Matty was dead. That someone, probably the Russian, had killed him and his mother. The Russian had disappeared around the same time. It had always seemed like the most likely answer. Of course his dad never told him Hill thought Matty was alive. That would have changed everything.

Nowhere had eventually gotten back to normal, but not before several key people died and power changed hands. The gang had never been the same. Matty was gone, Ronny had been in jail for six months, and Lenny just stopped hanging around.

Julian had waited outside the hotel for Matty to leave. Yesterday he’d paid one of the maintenance employees for their uniform and access card, which he had tucked in his messenger bag. His plan was to put the coveralls on over his messenger outfit before entering the hotel through the back entrance. The key card he had would only get him in the back door and onto the freight elevators, not into guest rooms. The maintenance employee provided him with the combination to the lock on the head housekeeper’s locker, where he’d find a master key for all the guest rooms.

Matty left the hotel just before 9:00 AM. Julian headed around back to the loading dock. After donning his disguise he found the employee locker room and retrieved the master key. He took the service elevator to the third floor, nodding to a few other employees along the way. He was good at blending in. More often than not the key was attitude—act like you belong there and others assume you do. No one even looked twice.

Julian knocked on Matty’s door. “Maintenance,” he announced, just in case anyone was paying attention. No one answered, so he used the master key and let himself in.

There wasn’t much to find in Matty’s room. He was a normal, boring businessman on a trip for a few days. There were a few papers on Matty’s desk. Julian noticed the address of the office in the old Lewis building, but didn’t see anything else interesting. After a few more minutes of looking, he left the room and dumped the uniform before leaving the hotel. He hoped Ronny had better luck getting a copy of Walsh’s file on Matty. For now he had to concentrate on his day job. The client he was currently working for was expecting him to finish things today. He couldn’t delay it any longer, but it also meant he’d be on borrowed time the moment it was complete. He never stayed in town after a job was done. It was too risky, but he’d have to take the chance this time.

~#~

It was early and Matt was surprised by the progress being made at the office. Everything was moving along smoothly. His cell phone buzzed—it was Faith’s number on the caller ID.

“Hey babe,” Matt said.

“Matt,” Faith said, a clear warble in her voice.

“What’s wrong? Are you and Pete okay?” Matt asked, alarmed.

“Yeah, we’re fine, but my sister just called. Mom’s been admitted to the hospital. She fell and sprained her ankle.”

Matt breathed a little easier, thankful nothing had happened to his wife or son. Faith’s mother had been suffering from a mild form of Alzheimer’s for several years, but this was the first time she’d been hospitalized. Matt could hear the worry in Faith’s voice. It worried her to be so far away from her mom, especially now that the disease was starting to progress.

“Is she going to be okay?” Matt asked.

“Lydia said that mom would need constant supervision for the next two weeks, while the ankle starts to heal.”

Matt knew the only way for Faith to help her mother was to be there in person. Mrs. Avers, Faith’s mother, could still remember everyone, but she had a hard time with current events and short-term memory. If you asked her she would tell you that Pete would be three on his next birthday, which made it difficult to talk to her on the phone. Also, Lydia had her own family to deal with as well and would need help if their mother needed someone with her twenty-four seven.

“When do you want to leave?” he asked.

“This afternoon would be best, but what about Pete, should I take him with me?”

“You’re going to have enough to deal with. See if he can stay with the Coopers for a couple of days. I’ll be home on Friday.”

“Okay, yeah, you’re right. Okay.”

Matt heard what sounded like a sob. “Faith, take a deep breath. It’s going to be fine. I’ll call my assistant and have her make the arrangements. You just worry about packing and getting Pete to the Coopers. Okay?”

“Okay. I’ll call you if there’s a problem. I’ll have my cell phone, and you have Lydia’s number. But don’t panic if you can’t reach me, you know how bad the coverage is out there.”

“Don’t worry, everything will be fine,” Matt said, trying to calm his wife. “She just sprained her ankle. She’ll be okay. You’ll be there to help tomorrow.”

Faith had always been very close to her mother. It hit her hard when her mother had received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's eight years ago.

“You’re right. I’m fine—just worried.” Faith took a few deep breaths. She sounded better now, not as emotional. “Okay, lots to do. I’ll call you when I get there. Love you, bye.”

Matt texted his assistant, who would take care of all the travel arrangements, then went back to work.

~#~

Lenny was looking through the file Walsh sent. Ruben was certainly thorough. He had copies of everything: birth certificates, marriage licenses, wills, and anything else you could think of right down to the one thing Lenny never wanted anyone else to know. His eyes passed over it, refusing to even acknowledge it was written on the page.

Lenny retrieved his cellphone and dialed Carlos.

Carlos was an associate in Miami. Lenny wanted to see if he could arrange a special pick-up for him in Orlando. He would make sure Matty had a reason to visit Nowhere.

“Hola,” a nice-sounding female voice answered the phone.

“It’s Hill, let me speak to Carlos.”

“Just a minute, please,” she said.

The phone clicked over to hold music, but was picked up immediately.

“Hill, how are you doing, my friend?” Carlos asked. His accent was a blend of American and Cuban, although Lenny wasn’t sure which one was fake. “Are you coming to see us?”

“No, but I need a favor, and I know the cost.” This wasn’t the first time Lenny had paid to have someone picked up, but it was the first time he’d involved a wife and child. As long as Matty cooperated, they wouldn’t be hurt.

Carlos’s tone turned serious. “What is it that you need done?”

“I need you to arrange a special pick up for me in Orlando. I’ll send my own guys down to retrieve the cargo once your crew has acquired it. No transport necessary.”

“And what names will be on the cargo?”

“Larson. I’ll email you the address.”

“How heavy is the cargo? Will I need two men from my crew or three?”

“Two men should be fine. Half the cargo is small.”

“When do you expect delivery?”

“I need this done quickly. I’ll have my guys there tomorrow for pick-up. I’ll call you back once I’ve made the arrangements. Is this acceptable?”

“And the delivery charge?”

“Half now, and half once I’ve received the cargo.”

Carlos laughed. “Then this is acceptable. I have two men from my crew in Orlando that can handle this. They will track down the cargo and arrange for delivery to your couriers.”

“Good. You’ll have the money within the hour.”

Chapter 8

1985

The gang decided they’d have to be in stealth mode to watch the Russian. They couldn’t all watch him together, not if they wanted to avoid getting caught. So they tailed the Russian in rotation. It had been over a week, and so far none of the gang had seen him doing anything unusual.

Today it was Matty’s turn to tail the Russian. He sat on a low concrete wall across the street from Deuces Wild, an illegal betting establishment that looked like a rundown repair shop. This was always the Russian’s last stop, and Matty knew he’d be headed back to Miller’s Pub after this, which would finally end Matty’s turn watching the Russian make his daily rounds.

Matty was bored. He glanced back over his shoulder at the pick-up game of basketball that was about to start. The court was why he picked this corner to spy from. The other neighborhood kids were a perfect camouflage for Matty’s surveillance. He considered joining the game and blowing off his assignment, until he spotted Juli.

He jumped down from the wall and waited.

“What’s up?” Juli asked, as if he didn’t know Matty was working.

“Nothing. I’m so bored.” Matty cocked his head toward the repair shop. “He never does anything wrong. Let’s get out of here and go get pizza.”

Juli smiled. “I’m in.”

Just as they were about to leave, the front door to Deuces Wild swung open.

Matty grabbed Juli’s arm. “Hold up a minute. That’s him coming out now. We’ll let him leave first.”

Juli nodded.

Matty didn’t think the Russian had ever noticed him, but he didn’t want to give the guy a reason to suspect anything. He and Juli waited for the Rusian to turn toward the pub. Since that was also the direction they planned to take, it was safer to wait until the Russian was out of sight before they left.

He turned toward Juli as if talking, but Matty watched from the corner of his eye as the Russian left the building.

“Shit,” Matty cursed, “follow me.”

Matty jumped back on the wall, and threw his legs over to the other side. Juli did the same.

“What?” Juli asked as they walked toward the basketball court.

“He should be headed back to the pub, but he’s not.”

Juli stepped in front of Matty, holding out his hand to stop him. “Okay, so what does that mean?” Juli dropped his arm and casually scanned the street behind them.

“I don’t know. Where’s he going?” Matty asked, realizing Juli had placed himself in the perfect position to stare without being obvious.

“Still going straight—wait, he just turned onto Hayes.”

“Hayes? What’s down there?”

“Southside, but Hill doesn’t run any businesses down there.”

Matty nodded, agreeing, then smiled. “At least now it isn’t boring.”

“Yeah, but we aren’t exactly going to blend in, and my dad will kill me if I start any trouble down there.”

“We’re just walking through. In and out,” Matty said, as if it were no big deal. He was worried too, but they had to find out what the Russian was up to.

Matty was relieved when the Russian didn’t go into Southside. He’d continued down Hayes for two blocks, then turned onto Cleveland. He stopped when he reached Bert’s Barbershop. Matty and Juli both jerked their heads back behind the corner of the building when the Russian glanced up and down the street. Matty waited a beat before he chanced another look. He watched the Russian entered the shop.

While it was possible the Russian was just stopping by to have his hair cut, it wasn’t likely. The shop was owned by Police Chief Waters’ uncle, Bert, and as far as Matty knew, it was off limits.

The barbershop was a small building that appeared to have been stuffed in between two other buildings, as if it had been squished to fit. There were three floors total and Matty assumed the top two floors were living quarters.

He and Juli waited in the shadowed alley across the street.

“What do you think he’s doing in there?” Matty asked.

Before Juli could answer, a blue sedan pulled up and parked in front of the shop. “Who’s that?” Juli whispered.

“Shit, it’s Chief Waters.” Matty grabbed Juli’s arm and pulled him down behind the dumpster.

Juli, crouched low, peeking around to see what was going on. Matty, resting his hand on Juli’s back for balance, kept his head lower than the dumpster to stay hidden. He peered around the edge. Waters was in his street clothes, not wearing his uniform.

“Off duty,” Juli whispered.

Waters looked around. Matty and Juli ducked back, colliding with each other in their effort to stay hidden. After a few seconds, they resumed their spying.

Matty watched as Waters disappeared into the barbershop.

“Do you think he saw us?” Matty asked.

“No, and I don’t think they both need their hair cut either.”

“Yeah, I agree. So why are they meeting?”

Juli shrugged, but before he could respond, Waters came back through the door. He stuffed an envelope inside his jacked, giving the street a quick glance. Matty and Juli pulled back, this time without crashing into each other. Matty stayed hidden until he heard the car pull away.

A few minutes later, the Russian stepped out and started back toward Miller’s Pub. He didn’t look around as he left, which either meant he wasn’t worried now that the job was done, or he had no idea the gang was following him.

Juli tapped Matty’s leg and pointed in the other direction. Matty nodded, then he and Juli made their way out of the alley, walking in the opposite direction as the Russian, before taking a parallel side street back toward Demarko’s.

Lenny and Ronny were sitting at one of the outside tables when he and Juli arrived.

“Where have you two been?” Lenny asked.

Matty swiped the last two slices of pizza and passed one to Juli.

“Hey, get your own,” Ronny whined.

Matty ignored him, answering Lenny’s question between hungry bites. “We were spying on the Russian. We saw him talking to Waters.”

“The Chief of Police?” Ronny asked, still scowling at Matty as he ate the pizza.

“Yeah,” Juli said, grabbing his brother’s soda.

Ronny just looked at him, incredulous.

Lenny laughed, then grabbed his own soda, holding it close as if to protect it. “What were they talking about?”

Juli shrugged. “We don’t know. They met at Bert’s Barbershop, but weren’t there long.”

Matty snagged one of the napkins from the dispenser and wiped his mouth. “Waters had an envelope when he came out. They didn’t leave together.”

“I think we should tell Hill,” Juli said.

“I don’t know,” Matty said. “What if he was making a payoff for Hill?”

Straightening, Lenny said, “What do you mean a payoff for Hill?”

Matty raised one of his eyebrows. “What do you want me to call it? A contribution to the widow’s and orphan’s fund?”

“My dad’s not a snitch. He’s not working with the cops,” Lenny said haughtily.

Matty rolled his eyes. “Water’s wasn’t the one paying the money—he was being paid. We all know that Mr. Hill runs a lot of businesses in the area. And it’s not like they get busted by the cops—ever.”

The organization tried hard to appear legitimate, but Lenny had to know his dad’s businesses were still connected. Did he really think the cops were staying away because they trusted the Mob?

Juli spoke up. “It would explain why Hill never gets busted.”

“Yeah, they don’t even get raided,” Ronny added.

Matty eyed Lenny, pointing his hand palm up toward Ronny, as if saying “See, I’m not the only one who noticed”.

Juli broke the silence. “Okay, maybe you’re right. If we go to Hill now, and this wasn’t off the books, then we’ll just tip our hand. He’ll know we’ve been watching the Russian and not staying out of things.”

“Yeah, I think we should wait,” Ronny said.

Everyone stared at Lenny. After a beat, with his lips pressed together, he nodded. No one wanted to get on Mr. Hill’s bad side, or give the Russian a reason to keep an eye out for them.

“We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing for now,” Matty said. “If it wasn’t a sanctioned payoff, the Russian will show his hand soon enough.”

They all agreed.

~#~

It had been a few days since Matty had seen the Russian talking to Waters. Nothing new had happened since.

Matty was at Demarko’s with Juli eating pizza. “I thought Ronny and Lenny were coming?” Matty asked.

Juli slurped the rest of his soda then tossed the empty cup into the nearby trashcan. “They’re probably at the hideout. Let’s go see.”

Matty tossed his trash in the can, then followed Juli to the hideout. Once inside they crept up the stairs to the roof. Juli slowly pushed open the door and pointed. “Told ya.”

Ronny and Lenny were lying on their stomachs looking down into the back room of Miller’s Pub. Matty and Juli took their places beside them.

The Tweedles weren’t around, but Mr. Hill, Mr. Townsend, and the Russian were all discussing the latest figures—boring. Matty was about to suggest they leave—maybe go over to the basketball courts and catch a game, when Hill’s phone rang.

“What?” Hill answered, “Shit. Who did it? Is Logan there? Tell him we’re on our way.” Hill slammed the phone on the cradle. “Parrish is dead.”

“Damn, who?” Townsend asked.

Hill shook his head. “Tell Reno to get the car.” Hill turned to the Russian. “Find the others and let them know what’s happened. Make sure everyone is watching their backs.”

“Sure boss,” the Russian said.

“Someone killed Parrish,” Matty whispered, unable to believe it.

He looked at the guys. They were all just as wide-eyed in shock as Matty.

Hill and Townsend left the pub immediately. Matty assumed the Russian would leave too—Hill had given him orders after all—but he didn’t leave. He sat down in Hill’s chair. Placing his hands on the desk, he looked around as if accessing his new digs. With a wicked sneer, he picked up the handset and dialed.

He wasn’t on the phone long, and Matty couldn’t hear him clearly, but what he had heard sounded like, “… their way.”

Matty looked at Juli, who shrugged and shook his head as if he hadn’t been able to make it out either.

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? Juli 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.

~#~

Lenny and Ronny were put in side-by-side cells. Waters brought them in through the back and Lenny was sure no one else knew they were here.

“Do you think Juli and Matty made it back to the pub?” Ronny asked.

“I don’t know.” Lenny rubbed his knee.

“Are you okay? You fell hard.”

“Yeah, it’s sore, but it’s not broken.”

“What if they didn’t make it back?” Ronny asked, his eyebrows drawn together, concern creasing his forehead.

Lenny let out a long breath. “Let’s hope they did.”

If there was one time in his life that Lenny wished his dad was around, it was now. He wasn’t sure how he would get out of this without him. He needed him now more than ever.

Waters didn’t make them wait long. He returned twenty minutes later with a deputy and two older boys in tow. Waters’ smug look was annoying. “It looks like your friends have made a smart decision. Are you boys going to make the same choice?”

“What do you mean?” Lenny asked.

“They’ve agreed to forget what they heard. Let things play out.”

Ronny shook his head. “You’re lying, no way Juli said that.”

Waters chuckled. “The way I hear it he cracked first. Now I’m going to give you boys a chance to think about it. You’ll have all night.”

“My father will come for us,” Lenny said, praying it was true.

The deputy laughed. Looking Lenny up and down, he said, “Why would he come for you? You’re not even—”

“Monroe,” Waters barked, cutting the deputy off. Then he turned to Lenny. “Not this time, kid.”

Waters nodded toward Monroe, who opened Lenny’s cell and ushered in one of the older boys. The boy looked to be about sixteen and a good foot taller than Lenny. The kid he put in Ronny’s cell looked even older and bigger. It was going to be a long night.

Waters gave final instructions as Ronny’s cell door was closed. “Don’t break anything. Just rough them up.”

Monroe laughed as he and Waters turned to leave.

The boy with Lenny smiled a wide snaggle-toothed grin. As soon as the door Waters had left through closed, he sucker punched Lenny in the gut, and from the sound of it Ronny wasn’t faring any better. By the time Waters returned a half hour later, Lenny had a bloody nose, several sore ribs, and a loose tooth. Ronny had a busted lip, a swollen eye, and a severely sprained wrist—but nothing was broken.

Waters smiled down at Lenny’s crumpled form. “See you in the morning, kid.”

Lenny pulled himself to his feet then slumped onto the cot. He ached all over. He was angry that his father hadn’t come to get him. He always picked up Matty right away. Now Lenny needed him—really needed him—and he wasn’t around. He was never there for Lenny—and what was that deputy going on about? … You’re not even— … What, the Dunmore kid? The one he goes out of his way to pick up the same day? This was bullshit—why did Lenny even care? He lay on the cot and glared at the wall. He wasn’t going to cry.

“Do you think Juli and Matty made it back?” Ronny asked, grunting slightly as he eased himself onto his cot.

“No, I think the Russian got them—and they agreed to keep quiet. If not, why isn’t your dad here?” Lenny could think of a hundred reasons his dad wouldn’t go out of his way, but Mr. Townsend would have come down if he knew the truth—Juli and Matty didn’t tell.

Chapter 9

2015

Lenny had made arrangements to send two of his guys, J.J. and Sammy, to Orlando to pick-up the cargo Carlos and his crew were securing. He’d booked them on a flight leaving this afternoon. Both were planning to check in with him before they left. Lenny grabbed his cellphone to call Carlos. He wanted to confirm that Carlos’s crew had everything under control and would be expecting his guys to arrive later tonight. The phone rang before he had a chance to dial—it was Carlos. Lenny hoped this wasn’t a bad sign.

“Yeah,” Lenny answered.

“We have a slight problem with the cargo.” Carlos was good at making sure he used the code word so as not to arouse any suspicion with anyone that might overhear the conversation.

“What’s happened?”

“One has been sent to Montana and the other is at a neighbor’s house.”

Lenny blew out a long breath. He’d hoped this part of the plan would go off without a hitch, but the kid was the key—and he was probably the one that stayed in town with the neighbors. “Where’s the small one?”

Carlos confirmed what Lenny suspected. “It’s at the neighbor’s house.”

“Can you pick it up without raising any concerns with the neighbors?”

“Umm … maybe, but I think yes.”

“Good.”

“What about the other one?” Carlos asked.

“When is it returning?”

“Two weeks.”

Lenny knew all too well how much effort a real father would go to for his son. “Forget about it. The small cargo will be enough.”

“Excellent. When will your boys be in town to pick up the cargo?”

Lenny didn’t think it would be wise to have J.J. and Sammy travelling alone with a kid—especially a kid that might try to alert the police. The mother could have kept the kid in check, but alone he would be too much of a wild card. “Can your crew store it in Orlando?”

Carlos was silent for a moment, then said, “That won’t be a problem, but there is an added expense for storage.”

“I understand. Where do you want the money wired?”

“My Cayman’s account will be fine. How long will we be storing the cargo?”

“Only a few days.” Lenny wasn’t planning to drag this out. He’d use the kid as leverage to get Matty to Nowhere, then cut the kid loose once Matty had been handled. Lenny knew what it was like to grow up without a father—the kid would toughen up and survive—just like he’d had to do.

“And after that?” Carlos asked.

“Don’t damage the cargo.”

“Not a problem.”

“Let me know when your crew has it.”

Lenny would use J.J. and Sammy to pick up Matty instead—he couldn’t send Ronny and this would just be easier than getting outside help. As soon as he had confirmation the kid had been taken, then he’d close that chapter of his life forever, and a problem he’d thought ended thirty years ago would finally be written off the books.

~#~

Matt called the Coopers before leaving for the office. He wanted to check on Pete, and make sure everything was okay.

“Hello,” Sarah Cooper answered.

“Hey Sarah, it’s Matt, is Pete around?”

“Yeah, just a minute.” Sarah lowered the phone, then called out, “Pete, it’s your dad.”

A few seconds later, Pete picked up the phone. “Hey dad.”

“Hey buddy, what’s going on?”

“Not much. When are you getting back?”

The office was coming along nicely, he wouldn’t need to extend his stay. “Friday night. Maybe we’ll get pizza and go see a movie.”

“You’re coming back early?” Pete whined.

The Coopers must have already planned something for the boys to do Friday night. “Just a little early, but I can pick you up on Saturday as planned. You can stay over at David’s Friday night, okay?”

“Cool. Gotta go. I’ll see you later.” Click.

Matt shook his head before ending the call. He considered calling Sarah back to let her know his itinerary, but since their schedule wasn’t impacted by his coming back early, he decided to check in Friday when he was back in town.

~#~

Frank, one of Carlos’ guys in Orlando, was waiting on instructions from the boss. He and Pablo had been ordered to watch a kid and his mother, and determine the best way to pick them up. Before they could implement their plan, the mother had to leave unexpectedly for Montana and the kid was now staying with a friend. Frank was parked down the street from the friend’s house in a black SUV identical to the one owned by the kid’s mother. They’d been there for about an hour when the phone finally rang. It was Carlos.

“Yeah, boss,” Frank answered.

“Pick-up the small cargo, forget about the other one,” Carlos instructed.

“Then what?”

“We’re going to hold on to it for a while. Don’t damage it, and try not to make the neighbors suspicious. Call me when you have it.”

“Roger that,” Frank said, ending the call.

“What’s the plan?” Pablo asked.

“We pick up the kid and hold him—and try not to make the friend’s parents suspicious.”

Pablo’s eyebrows rose. “How the hell are we doing that?”

Frank shrugged. “We’ll play it by ear—maybe he’ll go off by himself.”

Pablo snorted, shaking his head.

Frank and Pablo watched and waited. The kid and his friend came out of the house about half an hour later. Frank followed them to a nearby skate park. Luckily the speed limit in the neighborhood was so slow no one seemed to notice, and black SUV’s were very popular in this area. Neither kid appeared to spot them. Now they just needed an opportunity to get their target alone.

~#~

Ronny got to the pub around 10:30 AM. Lenny wasn't around, but J.J. and Sammy were in the back talking.

“What’s up?” Ronny said.

“Nothing now. Maybe something later,” J.J. said.

“We were supposed to go to Orlando today and pick up some cargo,” Sammy added, “but Hill called it off.”

“Really, what were you picking up?” Ronny asked.

Sammy shrugged. “Some kid and his mother.”

“Why the change?” Ronny asked.

“Don’t know,” J.J. said. “Hill said the Cubans are taking care of it.”

“I’m out of here,” Sammy said. Nodding to J.J. he said, “Call me if things change.”

J.J. nodded back. “I’m out of here too. You see Hill, tell him to call when he needs us.”

Ronny waited until both men had left, then sat down at Lenny’s desk. Ronny was sure now that Walsh had found the information Lenny wanted. The “kid and his mother” in Orlando must be Matty’s family. Ronny checked his watch—he wasn’t expecting Lenny to return from the gym for another half hour. He moved the mouse on the desk to wake up Lenny’s computer. Pulling out his key ring, he found the key to the top drawer of the old desk. It had been a gift from his father, who’d had the key since he started working for Lenny’s dad over forty years ago. Neither Hill ever knew the key existed—a secret Ronny planned to keep.

Ronny opened the top drawer of the desk and lifted the cover of a small blue notebook. Lenny had a bad habit of forgetting his password, so Ronny suggested he keep it written down. It would have been a safe enough idea if Lenny was the only one with a key to the desk, but he wasn’t. Lenny’s current password was Lay1a, who was also his current girlfriend of the month—a trend with passwords he repeated often.

There was nothing from Walsh in Lenny’s email. Ronny checked the hard drive next. He found a file in the download folder named Larson2015.docx. It amazed Ronny how inept Lenny was with the computer. He’d had the foresight to delete the email, but then left the file in the download folder. Ronny rolled his eyes, then double clicked and opened the file. He quickly scanned the first few pages. He spotted Matty’s Orlando address just as he heard a car pulling up outside.

“Shit,” he said, grabbing a post-it and jotting down the information.

He wanted to send the file to Julian, but there was no time for that now. He’d have to come back later. Closing the file, he activated the screensaver, which left the computer locked, just as he’d found it. He secured the desk drawer, relocking it, and pocketed his keys and the post it, moments before Lenny walked in.

“What are you doing?” Lenny asked.

Ronny pulled at the top drawer as if he were trying to open it. “I was looking for a pen. Since when do you keep this thing locked?”

Lenny snorted. “Since always.” He scanned the top of his desk, as if trying to determine what could be missing.

Ronny shrugged, “Huh, you don’t say.”

“Why did you need a pen?”

“I was about to head out. Sammy and J.J. wanted me to tell you to call when you needed them. Since I’m leaving, I was going to leave a note, but now you’re here.” Ronny stood. Lenny looked as if he doubted Ronny’s reason for being at the desk. “I’m out … unless you need something from me?”

Lenny’s eyebrows drew together, then he gave a halfhearted smile. “Yeah, actually I do.” He stepped around to his desk, giving it one more look, then continued. “I need you to take care of something for me. It’s a road trip. It could take a few days.”

“Sure boss, what do you need?” Ronny asked, as if this could be anything but an attempt to get him out of town while Lenny screwed with Matty’s life. Julian wasn’t going to like this.

“There’s going to be an envelope dropped off at the Bellagio in Vegas. I need you to be there to intercept it. Feel free to take a few days while you’re there—it’s been a while since you had a vacation.”

“When will it arrive?”

“Not sure, but no more than three days from now,” Lenny said.

Ronny hadn’t been sent on an errand like this since he started working part time for Lenny’s father twenty-five years ago. “Why not send one of the boys?”

“The envelope will be left for a Raymond Smith, a man who fits your description fairly well. That’s why I need you to be there. You’ll need to make nice with the front desk so they don’t ask any questions.”

“At the Bellagio, right?”

Lenny nodded. “Yeah, and you’ll need to pick up clothes when you get there. The flight leaves in an hour—Deacon is waiting in the car to take you to the airport.”

Deacon was Lenny’s driver. Ronny was wondering why he hadn’t come back with Lenny. Now he knew—the driver was waiting in the car. Lenny wanted him out of town and he was going to make damn sure he left. Ronny would have to circle back after being dropped off at the airport. Refusing would just lead to questions he didn’t want to answer.

“So, I need to make everyone think I’m Raymond Smith?” Ronny asked. “And I have to leave now?”

“That’s right.” Lenny paused, then asked, “is Julian still here?”

“No,” Ronny lied. “He left last night. Why?”

“I was just curious. Anyway, two of Peyton’s boys are on the first leg, so you’ll have someone to talk to. Call me once you’re in Vegas.”

Shit, Ronny didn’t think there was an envelope to pick up in Vegas, but he couldn’t outright refuse to go, and now that he knew two of Peyton’s boys were on the flight, he’d have to take the first leg then circle back. Julian would have to handle things until he returned. As he rode to the airport, he texted Julian to give him an update.

RONNY: Lenny is sending me to Vegas. Someone might be picking up Matty’s family today.

Ronny waited, but got no reply. He sent Julian the address he’d gotten from Walsh’s file.

It wasn’t unusual for Julian to be MIA when he was working. Ronny hadn’t heard from him since they’d had lunch yesterday, but he was sure his brother hadn’t left town yet. He just hoped Julian got the message in time to help.

~#~

Frank was tired of waiting and watching for the kid to separate from his friend. Pablo had just returned to the car with a new coffee when they finally got a lucky break. As the boys were leaving the skate park, the friend turned back, leaving Pete Larson alone on the street.

“Pull up,” Pablo said, “I’ve got an idea.”

Frank drove toward the kid. Pablo opened the passenger’s side window, but stayed hidden within the shadow of the interior.

“Hey Pete,” Pablo called out to the kid. “I have a message from your father.”

Pete looked around when he heard his name. He squinted, as if trying to get a better look at Pablo.

“What?” Pete said, stepping forward.

Pablo pulled out his gun and raised it just above the window for Pete to see. He pointed it directly at the kid’s chest. “I want you to tell your friend that your dad has come back early. Then I want you to get in the SUV. If you don’t I’ll shoot your friend. Either way, you’re coming with us.”

Pete took a step back.

“Hey.” Pablo raised his voice, and the kid stopped. “Your friend is coming. I don’t need him, I only need you. Tell him now or you’re both going to get hurt.” He lifted the gun to make double sure Pete saw it.

“Um …” Pete said, then turned toward his friend, who was still far enough away from the SUV not to hear their conversation. “Hey David. I’ve got to go, my dad’s back early. I’ll see you later.” Pete quickly got in the SUV.

Frank scanned the area, making sure no one was looking their way. The kid’s friend waved as they drove off. Frank nodded at Pablo, silently agreeing that the pick-up was clean.

As they stopped at the red light to turn, Frank heard Pete trying to open the door.

“Don’t bother, kid, the child lock’s on.” Frank smiled at the kid, who looked like he might throw up.

“Who are you? Where’s my dad?” Pete asked, but Frank ignored him.

Chapter 10

1985

“Wake up,” someone yelled as the door to Lenny’s cell opened.

Lenny cracked open his eyes. It was, Monroe, the deputy from last night. Lenny wiped the sleep out of his eyes. He was still exhausted and sore. “Is my father here?”

Monroe snorted. “No. The Chief wants to see you.”

The Chief had a smug look on his face as Monroe led Lenny into his office. “How did you sleep?”

“Fine,” Lenny lied. He hadn’t slept well. Between his knee and the beating he’d tossed and turned all night.

Waters smiled. “Good, because you can expect more nights like that when you go to juvie. That’s where we send trouble makers like you.”

Lenny straightened in his chair. “My father won’t let you.” The deputy chuckled in response. Lenny narrowed his eyes at the man. “I’ll be sure to tell him how helpful you’ve been, Monroe.”

Waters laughed. “Kid, you don’t know nothing about your father. Haven’t you ever wondered why he rushes down here for that Dunmore kid? Haven’t you ever wondered where you get that straight black hair from?”

“My uncle,” Lenny said, defensively. That’s what his mother had always told him. Monroe laughed again. Lenny pushed the hair from his eyes. “My father—”

“Hasn’t even called.”

“You’re lying.”

“You think so? Do you want me to ask the desk sergeant? Do you want me to ask him whether or not your father has called?” Waters eyed him. “Mr. Townsend has already called, but not your dad. Seems to me he doesn’t care. Of course, why would he?”

Lenny pushed the hair out of his eyes. “My father will come for me,” Lenny said, but he knew there was doubt in his voice.

Waters had a big smile on his face. “I’m going to tell you a secret, kid. One they don’t want you to know. Mr. Hill especially.”

“What secret?” Lenny ignored the snickers from the deputy.

“You should ask Mr. Hill about Manny the Snitch.” Waters pulled out an old prison photo from his desk.

The man in the picture had straight black hair like Lenny. Lenny looked away when a second photo was placed in front of him. The brief glimpse showed a bloated body with stringy dark hair—someone who’d been pulled from the river.

Waters broke the silence. “Monroe, you remember this case?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Did we ever figure out who dropped this guy off the bridge?”

“No, sir.” The deputy paused, then added, “but you know Townsend don’t make mistakes.”

Lenny looked up.

Waters’ grin was wide. “No, Townsend doesn’t make mistakes.”

“I don’t know who that is,” Lenny said. “He’s no one to me.”

“Fourteen years ago he was somebody to your mama.”

“You’re lying,” Lenny yelled.

Waters shrugged, stacking the photos and returning them to his desk. “Ask Mr. Hill.”

Lenny shook his head. This can’t be right, can it? Am I really going to take his word? Is he seriously trying to say my dad isn’t my dad? Lenny blinked back tears. His dad always treats Matty better—he always let Matty have the jobs, he picks Matty up every time he gets arrested. I look nothing like him.

Lenny’s eyes met Waters’. “What do I have to do to get out of here?”

“Cooperate. Your friends, Matty and Julian, have already agreed. We just want you to stay out of the way, and keep your mouth shut about what you heard in the factory. If you don’t, people are going to get hurt.”

“Fine, when can I leave?”

Waters chuckled. “I’ll call your father and tell him to come pick you up.”

“Don’t bother. I’ll walk home.”

Waters cocked one of his eyebrows. “Sorry kid, rules are rules. He has to pick you up. And try to remember that you and Ronny were in a fight. I don’t want two different stories floating around.”

Lenny stood, ready to get the hell out of this office.

“Monroe, take Lenny back to his cell, and bring me Ronny.”

The deputy returned Lenny to his cell and took Ronny, leaving Lenny alone to think about what Waters had implied. Thirty minutes later, Monroe brought Ronny back.

Ronny was pissed. He was pacing his cell. “Did you agree to cooperate?” Ronny asked after the deputy left.

“Yeah,” Lenny said.

“Why? We have to tell our dads,” Ronny said.

Lenny snorted. “My dad treats me like I don’t exist most of the time, so why should I care if someone new takes over?”

Ronny’s mouth dropped open. “Are you kidding me? I’m not playing their game.”

“Everyone else is, Ronny. Wake up. It will be your word against everyone else’s. Who do you think they’ll believe?” Lenny paused. “I can’t believe you’re willing to go to jail over this. Save yourself, Ronny. No one else will.”

Lenny rolled over on his cot and faced the wall. He wasn’t about to die on the sword for the man who was his father in name only. Even if Waters was lying, Hill had never treated Lenny the way he treats Matty. You’d think he didn’t have a real son.

It was noon before Hill came to pick Lenny up. He’d had plenty of time to consider everything Waters had said. The pictures kept creeping into his thoughts.

“Your mother has been worried sick. I can’t believe you got caught fighting. And look at you, did you even fight back?” Hill asked as soon as he saw Lenny.

Lenny didn’t respond. His father was angry—what was new? Waters stared at Lenny as his father signed him out. Lenny pushed the hair out of his eyes, and looked away. He just wanted to leave.

Reno, Hill’s driver, wasn’t waiting by the car when they left the police station. It was unusual, but his dad did occasionally drive himself. Lenny got into the front seat and waited.

“You know what kind of stuff is happening right now, and you pull this crap. You need to stay home for a few days. I don’t want to see you around the pub. You’re grounded. Do you understand?”

“Is Matty grounded too?” Lenny asked.

“No, Matty wasn’t stupid enough to get caught fighting.”

“What about Fourth of July? He was stupid enough then, and you went out of your way to pick him up the same day. You let me stay in jail,” Lenny yelled. “Why do you love him and hate me? I’m your son … right?”

“Lenny, there are things you don’t understand.”

“Really, then why don’t you explain it to me? And while you’re at it, who’s Manny the Snitch.”

Hill was quiet for a minute. “Where did you hear that name?”

“Around,” Lenny said, pushing the hair from his eyes.

“From who?”

“Just tell me who he is.” Lenny raised his voice. “And why do you treat Matty better than me? You always have. Why?”

Lenny could tell his father was thinking about his answer, trying to decide what to say.

“Just tell me the truth,” Lenny begged.

Hill stared into Lenny’s eyes. “Do you really want to know?”

“Yes!”

~#~

Lenny got out of the car. “I hate you,” he screamed and slammed the door. He ran—away from the pain, away from the truth. He wouldn’t believe it had all been a lie. He’d bury it so deep that he’d forget the truth, the lies—they were lies, he wouldn’t believe. He was Lenny Hill, not some a bastard like Matty.

He ran all the way home without stopping.

~#~

Ronny had refused to cooperate. Waters told Mr. Townsend that he’d almost killed another kid, and that the state required a psychological evaluation. By the time Mr. Townsend was allowed to see him, Ronny was so doped that nothing he said made any sense.

Juli was grounded for two weeks. Matty hadn’t seen a lot of him since that night, and he hadn’t seen Lenny at all. Lenny just stopped hanging around, and when Matty tried to call he would just say that he was grounded and hung up. Matty felt alone.

He tried to avoid the Russian, but he was the one that brought the check that month. The Russian chatted with his mom, Audrey, for a few minutes before leaving, as if he wanted Matty to see how easily she could be reached. Things were really turned upside down, and nothing was ever going to be the same again.

Royce was still in power, but Parrish was dead and Logan was having a hard time getting support. Some people thought he had something to do with Parrish’s death, just like Matty had suspected. But Matty didn’t know who was really involved, or who the Russian was really working for. It could have been Logan, or Quinn, or even Kalen. No one was above suspicion. Matty just wanted it to end. He wanted everything to get back to normal. At least, as normal as Nowhere could be.

Chapter 11

2015

Matt packed his suitcase and left it with the bellman before leaving for the office. It was his last day in the city and he was ready to go home. He’d tried to call Faith earlier, but wasn’t able to reach her. He’d try again later. In a few hours he’d be in a taxi and on his way out of the city. He’d give Pete a call from the airport.

Matt had been at the office for about thirty minutes when two well-built men got off the elevator. They both looked to be in their early thirties, wearing jeans and tight fitting t-shirts. Their eyes roved over the room until they spotted Ryerson. With a nod, he acknowledged them and headed their way. Matt decided it wasn’t important, until Ryerson pointed at him, and the two brutes made a beeline for him.

“You Larson?” the first man asked.

“Um ... Yeah,” Matt said, hesitantly.

“I’m J.J. and this is Sammy,” he said, pointing at his partner. “You’re coming with us.”

Matt laughed. “What?”

Sammy moved around to the other side, blocking Matt in between the desk and the two men.

“Who are you?” Matt asked.

“We don’t want to cause a scene, but we will if we have to.” J.J. held up a phone with a picture on the display.

Matt’s heart rate increased and his mouth went dry. “Pete,” he whispered. He put his hand on the desk as his knees threatened to give out. The picture showed a guy holding a gun near Pete’s face. Matt tried not to raise his voice. “Where’s my son?”

“Let’s go, or you’ll never see your kid again,” J.J. said.

“Who are you working for?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.” J.J. pointed toward the elevator.

Matt saw no other choice. They had Pete. He gave Ryerson a look as they headed toward the elevator. Ryerson looked away, as if he hadn’t seen anything.

“Tell me who it is,” Matt demanded as the elevator doors closed.

J.J. gave Sammy a look, then said, “Mr. Hill.”

Matt knew the man he’d known as Mr. Hill was dead. His mother had mentioned it a few months before she died. Until then, he hadn’t realized she’d been keeping track of him. Matt knew his mom loved her husband, Peter, but she’d never completely gotten over Mr. Hill. That meant these guys had to be talking about Lenny.

“Lenny?” Matt asked, wanting confirmation.

“I wouldn’t start disrespecting Mr. Hill like that,” Sammy said. “He doesn’t like it when people use that name.”

Matt scoffed. “I’ll have to keep that in mind. Let me guess, we’re going to Miller’s Pub?”

“You’ll see when we get there,” J.J. said.

Matt couldn’t believe that Lenny had gone to so much trouble to get him back to Nowhere. Shit, why does he care after all these years?

~#~

Julian was at his hotel when his phone rang. It was Ronny. Finally.

“Where have you been?” Julian asked.

“A layover in Detroit. Did you get my messages?” Ronny asked.

“Yeah, but by the time I could get someone to the address you gave me, they’d already taken the kid.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to find Matty and then we’ll make a plan to get his kid back. You need to be here.”

“I’m working on it. There was an issue with the plane and they didn’t let us off in time for me to catch a flight back to the city.”

“You shouldn’t have left.”

“Lenny had Deacon drive me to the airport. A couple of Payton’s guys were going to Detroit and I was on the flight with them. I couldn’t stay behind without Lenny finding out. I’m catching the next flight.”

“Good. I’ve got to go, call me when you get back.” Julian ended the call.

He needed to find Matty. Now that Hill had the kid he’d be picking up his old friend next.

Julian went by the hotel, but Matty had already checked out of his room. He paid the bellhop to verify Matty’s luggage was still in the hotel, then left for the office in the old Lewis building.

Unfortunately Matty wasn’t there. Julian scanned the room, spotting the man in charge. Striding with purpose, he made his way over to the man before he’d even notice Julian was in the room.

“Where’s Larson?” Julian barked.

“He’s very popular today,” the man in charge said, a slight grin on his face until he locked eyes with Julian.

“Yeah, well you’ve got two minutes to tell me where he is, or we’re going to become more acquainted than you’d like.” Julian pulled back his jacket and showed the man his gun.

The man saw the gun, then took Julian in as if for the first time. His eyes grew wide the moment he realized exactly what kind of person he was dealing with. “Oh sh ... you’re Julian Townsend,” he said, almost in a panic.

Julian’s lip turned up in a menacing snarl. “Where’s Matthew Larson?”

Stammering over his words, the man rushed to say, “Two of Hill’s boys picked him up about fifteen minutes ago, but I don’t know where they took him. I swear.”

“Forget that I was here.” Julian left the building.

He knew where they were taking Matty. He called Ronny and left him a message. Getting Matty back from Lenny was going to be a pain in his ass, but he wouldn’t let Lenny destroy Matty. Julian would go to Nowhere and find out just what Lenny was up to.

~#~

Why would Lenny do this? Matt wondered as the goons drove him out of the city. Lenny had taken Matt’s son, and Matt wasn’t exactly sure how he was going to get him back.

Matt hadn’t been in Nowhere since he and his mom left thirty years ago. He hadn’t planned to visit, and he certainly hadn’t planned to look up Lenny. Lenny had always been jealous, but this was extreme.

Maybe it was just the knots in his stomach, but the trip seemed to take forever. When they finally got to the bridge, J.J. made a call. “We have him, and we’re crossing the bridge now.”

It only took about ten minutes to get to Miller’s Pub from the bridge. The closer they got, the more anxious Matt became. He was worried about Pete, and what they were doing to him. He had to be scared, Matt just hoped they hadn’t physically hurt him.

Matt stared out the window as his past drifted by. Everything looked the same, more worn, but the same. His palms were clammy as they pulled up behind the pub. J.J. got out and opened Matt’s door. He pointed the gun at Matt, and motioned for him to get out of the car.

Matt’s memories of the back door into Miller’s Pub were fresh in his mind, but everything was different now. The parking lot was more dirt than gravel and it all felt smaller. In his mind the pub was huge, but what he saw now was an old building not much bigger than a store in a strip mall. He followed J.J. into the back room.

Matt immediately saw Lenny. He was sitting behind Mr. Hill’s old desk, looking smug.

“Well, it seems the prodigal son has returned,” Lenny said.

Matt scanned the room, ignoring Lenny’s taunt. “Where’s my son?”

“He’s safe … for now.”

Matt’s eyes locked onto those of his former friend. “What do you want, Lenny?”

Pulling his lips back in a snarl, Lenny yelled, “I’m Mr. Hill now. I run Nowhere. You will treat me with respect.”

Matt had to stop himself from laughing. “Good for you. Now what the hell do you want from me?”

Lenny looked over at J.J. Before Matt could react, J.J. punched him in the gut. It had been a long time since he’d been in a fight, and he wasn’t ready. He fell to one knee, clutching his stomach.

Lenny stood, kicking his chair back from the desk. “Get up!” he screamed, coming around to the front of the desk. “Get up, Mad Dog. We’re just getting started.” Lenny kicked Matt in the gut. “You’re going to have to learn to cooperate, Matty. Things are different now. You’re not the favorite anymore.”

“Screw you, Lenny,” Matt said, wheezing from the attack. Before he could catch his breath, J.J. kicked him in the side, causing him to cry out in pain.

Lenny chuckled. “Save some for later. I have a special treat lined up for Matty, and he’s not going to miss it.”

J.J. pulled Matt to his feet. Matt straightened, but it hurt. “You can’t seriously still be jealous. Let it go.”

“Let it go! That’s easy for you to say. You’re the one he loved. You’re the one he looked for, for two years. You’re the one that left. I thought it was bad while you were around, but after you left it was worse. So much worse.”

Matt was confused. Had Mr. Hill looked for him and his mother for two years? The wild look in Lenny’s eyes was frightening, but Matt had no control over the slight Lenny obviously felt. “What are you talking about? What was worse?”

Lenny laughed. “You know, knowing the truth made it ten times harder for me. I could actually see how much he hated me. Every day it got a little worse. By the end, we were barely speaking.” Lenny paused. In a low growl he added, “Not that I gave him a chance to talk.”

Matt’s eyebrows drew together. Lenny’s eyes were glazed over as if he were reliving a memory. Had Lenny killed his father?

The door banged open as Sammy walked in from outside. Lenny’s eyes snapped back to Matt, as if he’d returned from his daydream into the past.

“The Chief’s here,” Sammy announced.

The corner of Lenny’s lip turned up. “Good, put Matty in the chair.”

Matt struggled, but Sammy and J.J. had him by the arms and pulled him down into the chair within seconds. Matt’s wrists and ankles were cuffed to the chair’s rungs. With disgust he recognized the old wooden chair as the same one Mr. Hill had used on the men he’d had beaten in the back room.

“Why are you doing this?” Matt asked, pulling at the cuffs in an attempt to break free. “Do you want money?”

Lenny threw back his head and laughed. “Matty, Matty, Matty,” he said, smacking Matt across the face. “Money? You can’t be serious … I want my childhood back. I want the father I never had. I want revenge.”

Matt was beginning to think Lenny was clinically insane. “Do you really think you can get it from me? You’re obviously mad at your father. How exactly is that my fault?” Matt looked down at the chair. “Is this really what you want? To have some no-neck beat me the same way the Tweedles did for your dad? I thought we were friends.”

A moment of doubt ran across Lenny’s face, but the spell was broken by a man’s deep voice from the back of the room. “Good thing we weren’t friends Matty. I’d hate for you to think this wasn’t personal.”

Matt looked back over his shoulder. A few names had come to mind when Sammy announced the Chief was here, but Matt was shocked when it turned out to be a grown-up version of Lester Foster. He hadn’t thought about that kid in years. Not since he’d heard the Foster brothers were sent to military school in Connecticut after they jumped Matt on Fourth of July thirty years ago. Lester was the kid that Matt and Juli had beaten up, and the reason Matt had been given the name “Mad Dog” after Juli hadn’t stopped fighting when the cops showed up and arrested them. It should have been Juli’s name, but considering the way Lester was looking at him now, he was sure the man didn’t give a rat’s ass who’d actually thrown the punches.

Lester was now “the Chief” in Nowhere. Matt guessed that meant things were still running the same—mobsters and dirty cops.

The Chief took off his jacket, hanging it on a hook near the door. “Remember me, Matty?” he asked, as he strolled over to Lenny’s desk, rolling up the sleeves of his button down and stretching the muscles in his neck as if he were loosening himself up for a fight.

Matt stayed quiet. There was nothing he could say to this guy.

Lenny’s voice broke the silence. “J.J., make sure Matty finds the bridge after Foster’s done. I have things to take care of in the city.”

“Sure boss,” J.J. said.

“Where’s my son?” Matt yelled, straining to pull his arms free. “What have you done with him you son of a bitch?” Lenny headed toward the back door as if he planned to ignore Matt. “You coward—you can’t even take care of things yourself. No wonder your father was so disappointed.”

Lenny stopped, his hand on the open door. With a clenched jaw, he said, “Don’t worry, Matty, I’ll treat him like the son I never had. Just like my father treated me.”

“Lenny, don’t do this.”

Lenny laughed.

“If you hurt him, I’ll kill you,” Matt screamed.

Lenny sighed, glancing at Lester and his boys. “Empty threats, Matty. Empty threats.”

~#~

Julian had forced his way into the old hideout, which was still abandoned. He’d made it there just before Lenny left, and Foster started pounding on Matty. Julian wanted to save his old friend from this beating, but he was too outnumbered, and if he went in now, guns blazing, he risked a gun fight with three armed men. A rescue attempt now was almost guaranteed to fail. He also didn’t want a cop’s death on his hands—not without proper planning. He just hoped Foster was going to leave Matty alive for the others to finish off. So he had to wait for Foster to leave.

Matty was unconscious by the time Foster finished. J.J. tried to hand him an envelope, but Foster waved it off.

Julian wasn’t sure when, but he’d be paying Foster back—soon.

Hill’s goons took Matty out to the car and put him in the back seat. They’d just closed the door when Julian walked up, startling them.

“Shit, man,” the one he thought might be J.J. said, “Julian—you scared me. Ronny’s not here.”

“What’s going on?” Julian asked.

“Just business for Hill. Like I said, Ronny’s not here. He’s in Vegas.”

“Then it’s a good thing I’m not here to see Ronny.”

Both men paused.

The one he was sure was J.J. looked nervous. J.J. grabbed for his gun, but Julian was so fast his gun was out, with the first round squeezed off before J.J.’s hand reached his own pistol. The other tough guy reached for his gun too, but Julian fired off another shot before J.J.’s body had hit the ground. Both men were dead.

Julian glanced around to make sure no one was watching. Luckily witnesses were always scarce in Nowhere. He checked Matty’s pulse, which was strong—good, he was just unconscious—then quickly put the two dead men in the trunk. He searched pockets and fished out the keys to the car, then drove toward the docks.

Chapter 12

1985

Juli was still grounded, Ronny was in jail, and Lenny didn’t want to hang out anymore. Matty was sitting alone outside Demarko’s Pizza. He’d been avoiding Miller’s Pub—so he wouldn’t run into the Russian—and Hill hadn’t given him a job in weeks. He was bored. He’d finished his soda and was about to leave when Reno drove up and handed him a package. At least today he’d have something to do.

On the way back from delivery, Matty saw the Russian coming his way. He was talking with someone Matty didn’t recognize. The unknown guy had shaggy brown hair and looked to be in his early twenties. Matty ducked into the nearest alley and hid behind a dumpster. He hoped the Russian hadn’t seen him. Getting caught out in the open, as if he’d been spying, wasn’t something Matty wanted to explain.

He was listening, waiting for the Russian to pass. He cursed when he realized the two men had stepped into the alley where he hid.

Could things get worse? Matty wondered, trying to remain quiet. He’d never talk his way out of this one if the Russian spotted him, so staying still he waited.

The two men had stopped short of the dumpster, within easy earshot of Matty’s location.

The younger man sounded agitated. “I don’t understand. You’re telling me that Hill has something to do with this mess? That he had something to do with Parrish’s death?”

“Yes,” the Russian said.

Matty almost gasped in shock. The Russian was trying to blame everything on Hill? He clasped his hand over his mouth to remind himself to stay quiet.

The Russian continued, “Mickey, I need you to tell your father that Hill can’t be trusted. Things are really getting bad now. He’s keeping me out of meetings. He’s not sharing information. If he’s doing what I think he’s doing, we could both be out of a job.”

Matty couldn’t believe it. This was the same thing Kalen had told Hill about Quinn.

“I don’t know,” Mickey said, “My father wants me to talk to Hill, to see what he has to say.”

The Russian sighed. “So that’s your final answer?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s too bad kid.”

Bang!

Matty gasped behind his covered hand when the gunshot went off, followed quickly by a thud, which he assumed was a body hitting the ground. Shit, did the Russian just kill someone? He waited a few seconds, staying tucked behind the dumpster, trying to get his breathing under control. He had to be quiet until he heard the Russian leave. What is he waiting for?

“This wasn’t really in Kalen’s plan, kid, but what could I do? You gave me no choice.” The Russian spoke as if Mickey could still hear him.

Matty waited tense moments and only breathed a little easier when he heard the Russian’s footsteps receding. He’d planned to wait another minute, then get the hell out of there, until he heard soft gasps and murmurs, as if someone was trying to speak. Matty looked around the dumpster. Mickey’s arm was moving. He’s not dead!

Matty hurried over. There was blood everywhere. Mickey was alive, but only barely. It looked like he was trying to say something, but then he went still. “Mickey.” Matty shook his shoulder. “Mickey.”

Matty was about to get up when Mickey grabbed him by the arm and pulled him close. There was blood all over Mickey’s hands.

“Kid,” Mickey wheezed, “I need you to take a message to my father.”

“I’m gonna get help.” Matty tried to get up, but Mickey wasn’t letting go.

“There’s no time. I’m not going to make it, so listen to what I’m telling you. I want you to go to Fuller’s place in the city, do you know where that is?” Mickey coughed, his breathing sounding wet and raspy.

“Yeah,” Matty said; he’d been there once with Mr. Hill.

“You ask for Tony. You tell them—um—you tell them that Tony’s expecting you, that Mickey sent you,” he paused for a second, then with a slight grin he said, “Mickey ‘the Mouse’”.

Mickey’s eyes rolled back and his lids fluttered shut. He appeared to lose consciousness. Matty wasn’t sure if he was alive or dead. He tried to pull his arm away, but Mickey held tight.

“Tony,” he said, coughing, “will take you to my father. Tell my father that the Russian and Kalen are behind everything.”

Mickey’s body relaxed, his hand losing its grip on Matty’s arm and falling to the ground. Mickey was dead.

Matty got up, staggering away from the body. He backed into the brick wall of the alley and slid to the ground. He’d never seen anyone die before. He looked down. His shirt was smeared with Mickey’s blood. The smell was starting to get to him. He wasn’t sure if there was actually a smell or if he was just getting sick. Real smell or not, Matty leaned over and threw up what was left of his pizza from lunch. He wiped his mouth and forced himself to stand. His legs were shaky and his stomach threatened to heave again. Just get out of the alley, he told himself. Get away from the body. Matty pushed away from the wall and ran. He ran as fast as he could, but he couldn’t go home. His mother would see the blood and freak out. He couldn’t chance seeing the Russian or Tweedle-Dum at Miller’s Pub either. He had to go to the city and find Tony. That’s what Mickey told him to do, and it was his only chance to get out of this mess alive.

Matty ducked into a convenience store. He washed his hands and face in the restroom, then turned his shirt inside out. It didn’t hide all the blood, but at least it wasn’t the first thing someone would notice. He took the subway into the city. He sat there quietly, trying to avoid being noticed. The last thing he needed was someone calling the police.

Everything that had happened was swimming around in his head. Parrish’s death, the Russian’s threat, and Mickey. The Russian’s warning—If anyone talks everyone pays—kept rolling around in his thoughts.

What if they didn’t believe him? What if the Russian could get to Matty and his mother anyway? What about the others? If anyone talks everyone pays. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t push away the Russian’s threat.

Matty’s head shot up when he realized the subway wasn’t moving. He jumped to his feet and dashed out the doors before they closed. He’d almost missed his stop. He ran past several people and made his way up the stairs to the street.

It had been almost an hour since he left Nowhere. He stood outside the back entrance to Fuller’s trying to convince himself that this was what he had to do. If anyone talks, the Russian’s threat kept creeping into Matty’s head. He was starting to lose his nerve, when the backdoor flew open. A bouncer led two ladies out.

The blonde giggled then winked. “We’ll see you later Johnnie,” she said to the bouncer, a brawny guy with black slicked-back hair.

The guy, Johnnie, had a grin on his face until he saw Matty. “What do you want, kid?”

“I’m … I’m here to see Tony,” Matty said, hoping he didn’t sound as scared as he felt.

Johnnie laughed. “Get outta here, kid.” Johnnie started back inside.

“No, wait! Tony’s expecting me. Mickey sent me,” Matty blurted before the door could close.

The guy turned back to Matty, looking him up and down. “Mickey who?”

Matty swallowed, hesitantly he said, “Mickey the Mouse.”

Johnnie scoffed. “Get outta here.”

“Tony will be mad if you don’t take me to him. You’ll get in trouble.”

The guy paused for a second, then swung the door wide and grabbed Matty by the arm. “Your funeral, kid.”

Johnnie pulled Matty up the stairs. He knocked on the half open office door at the top. Through the sliver, Matty saw a guy sitting at a desk look up.

“Boss, there’s a kid out here to see you.”

The guy looked down, picking up a paper on his desk. “Get rid of him,” he ordered.

Johnnie tightened his grip on Matty’s arm. Sneering at Matty, he said, “Mickey the Mouse indeed.”

From inside the office, the guy said, “What?”

“Oh, nothing boss.” Johnnie jumped back when the door flew open. Stammering he added, “The kid said ‘Mickey the Mouse’ sent him. I’ll take care of it.”

The man Matty assumed was Tony stared down at him. “Let him in,” Tony ordered, then returned to his seat at the desk.

Johnnie pushed Matty into the office, leaving him alone with Tony. He heard Johnnie’s footfalls clomp down the stairs.

Matty stood there, not sure what to do, as Tony stared at him. “So Mickey sent you? Where is he?”

Matty swallowed, his mouth dry. He tugged at his shirt; the blood that had soaked through, had dried to a dark reddish-brown. He was sure Tony knew exactly what it was.

“Um …” Matty wasn’t sure how to say it. Blurting it out might not have been the best choice, but he did it anyway. “He’s dead.”

Tony didn’t look like a man who was shocked easily. In fact, he looked like the kind of man that wouldn’t flinch in a gunfight. But Matty could tell that this was not what he’d expected to hear.

“What?” he said, so softly Matty almost didn’t catch it.

Licking his dry lips, Matty began. “Mickey’s dead and before he died he asked me to give his father a message. He said you’d take me to him.”

Tony’s eyes narrowed. With more fire in his voice, he asked, “What’s the message?”

Matty wasn’t about to start talking. He didn’t know who Tony was, and he wasn’t sure who he could trust. If he was going to trust anyone it was going to be the dead guy.

“He told me to only give it to his father.”

Tony paused for a beat, then said, “So you want me to take you to see Jimmy Logan?”

Matty was sure his mouth just dropped open. Until Logan’s name was mentioned, Matty hadn’t really thought about who Mickey’s father would be. He sure as hell didn’t think it would be Parrish’s favorite—the guy who was most likely to take Parrish’s spot as the big boss’s right hand man. But there was no turning back now.

Matty swallowed. “Yeah.”

Tony smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Okay. I’ll take you to see him, but you better have a damn good story to tell.”

Matty waited in the office for Tony to have his driver bring the car around. Tony had called ahead to let Logan know they were coming, but he hadn’t given Logan the bad news about his son over the phone.

Once they were on the way, Matty asked, “Why was he called ‘Mickey the Mouse’?” Matty had heard a lot of nicknames through the years—Logan was known as “Jimmy the Knife”, but “Mickey the Mouse” just didn’t fit a big time mobster’s kid.

Tony’s lip turned up into a grin, then his eyebrows drew together as if he just remembered Mickey was dead. “He wasn’t. That was just something I called him when he was little.”

“Oh.”

Tony sighed, running his hand down his face. “Logan’s not going to be happy when he finds out about Mickey. You better have some answers for him, kid.”

Matty nodded, then stayed quiet the rest of the way. Seeing Mickey die made everything different; it made everything more real. If Matty made it back, he was going to convince his mother to leave Nowhere. He didn’t want to be part of this Mob world anymore.

He was relieved and anxious as Tony’s driver pulled up in front of a three-story brownstone in the city. Matty followed Tony up the steps into the townhouse. Logan’s place was well guarded. Two of Logan’s guys greeted them as they walked into the foyer.

“Where’s Logan?” Tony asked.

“Upstairs.” The guard nodded, but kept his eyes on Matty. “Who’s the kid?”

“He’s with me,” Tony said.

Matty followed Tony up the stairs, staying close and keeping his head down. There was a long hallway on the second floor that ran the length of the townhouse. Matty almost fell into Tony when one of Logan’s guys stepped out of a small half-bath and startled him. Matty took a few deep breaths. He was jumpy, but tried to act like nothing was wrong.

They arrived at a big oak door and Tony knocked. A muffled voice said, “Come in.”

The door creaked as Tony opened it. Matty swallowed what felt like a rock.

Inside, an old school mobster looked up from his desk—Logan, Matty assumed. Logan had probably worn a suit every day of his adult life, and he had the kind of look that demanded respect.

There were three other tough guys in the room, two sitting on a sofa off to one side and the other guarding the door. Matty felt like they were all staring at him. Even more so when Tony left him standing alone and walked over to speak with Logan.

Leaning down Tony whispered something in Logan’s ear. Matty could see the moment Logan knew why he was there. The expression on his stoic face changed. It went from confused to shocked to angry in about three seconds. Logan whispered something in Tony’s ear, then stared at Matty.

Tony straightened. Waving his hands towards the door, he said, “Everyone out.”

Matty moved further into the office—away from the exit—as they all left. Logan was still staring at him, and Matty could see the raw emotion in his eyes.

The door snicked shut behind him and Matty felt closed in. He tried not to show it, but a man he didn’t know—one more powerful that Mr. Hill—was staring daggers at him.

In an even tone that hid his true feelings, Logan finally spoke. “Give me the message.”

The lump in Matty’s throat felt bigger, but he was here now and this was the moment to come clean. He swallowed, trying to ease his apprehension, “I saw the Russian shoot Mickey. Then he said something about it not being part of Kalen’s plan.”

Logan was still listening. He didn’t interrupt.

Matty continued, “One of Hill’s new bodyguards and Chief Waters are also working with them, but Hill isn’t part of it.”

“How do you know all this?” Logan asked.

“I overheard the Russian trying to get Mickey to tell you that he didn’t trust Hill. That Hill had started acting different. But Mickey was going to talk to Hill anyway.” Matty paused. “So that’s when the Russian … shot him.”

“My son is dead and the Russian killed him?” Logan said, as if he were confirming the facts.

“Yes.”

Logan looked at Tony. “Do you believe this kid?”

Tony shrugged. Why would he? Matty didn’t know these men, and they didn’t know him.

Logan looked back at Matty. “Why should I believe you?”

Yeah, why should he believe me? “I’m not lying,” Matty said, not sure what else he could say.

Logan pressed his lips together as if he were thinking, then, turning to Tony, he said, “I’ll call Royce. He’ll want a meeting—tonight. He’ll want everyone here. Quinn, Kalen, Hill, and the Russian,” he tilted his head toward Matty, “and the kid.”

Tony nodded.

Logan paused. In a quiet voice he said, “Find my son.”

Matty was moved to a small room beside Logan’s office. He overheard Tony call everyone—telling them to be at Logan’s at 8:00 PM. Once people started to arrive, Tony returned to Logan’s office, leaving Matty alone.

Matty knew what was about to happen and he didn’t want to stick around to see it. He knew that Mickey was dead and that the Russian had killed him. But Matty wasn’t sure Logan or Tony completely believed him, and the Russian might persuade them to let him go. If that happened Matty and his mother would be in grave danger. The Russian would come after them and this time there would be no threats. He would kill them.

Matty had to get out of here. Mr. Hill and Mr. Townsend had arrived a few minutes ago; he was sure Logan would send for him soon. The room he was in had two doors. One door led to Logan’s office, where everyone was gathering, and the other led out into a short hallway. Quietly he opened the door to the hallway and looked out in both directions. The coast was clear. But Matty heard voices just as he was about to step out into the corridor.

He quickly ducked back inside the room, waiting for the voices to pass. Unfortunately more voices followed close behind. He recognized one of them—it was the Russian. Taking a deep breath, Matty waited. A minute later the office door closed and the muffled voices within Logan’s office quieted and Logan started speaking. That must mean all the guests had arrived.

This would be Matty’s last chance to leave. He just prayed that most of Logan’s guards were in the meeting and not walking around the house on patrol.

Matty quietly opened the door to the hall and stepped out, shutting it behind him. He paused a moment, waiting and listening for anyone that might be in the main corridor. It sounded empty. He quickly ran to the end of the side hallway, stopping again to listen. All was still quiet.

Matty started toward the stairs. He was just about there when he heard something, and realized that someone was in the half-bath. He ran the rest of the way, his heart pounding like a drum as he peeked over the railing down to the foyer below.

There were no guard at the door, but as he started down the stairs, he heard two men talking. As he reached the bottom step, he noticed that one of the voices was getting louder.

“Yeah, I’ll be at the front,” Matty heard one of the guards say.

Oh, no. Freezing in his tracks, Matty wasn’t sure what to do. If he went back upstairs he risked running into the guy in the can, but the other guard was headed for the door.

He breathed a sigh of relief when the guard stopped. “Who’s on the phone? Yeah, let me talk to him,” the guard said, heading back to where he’d been.

Matty waited a beat to be sure the guard wasn’t still in the passage beside the stairs, then bolted for the front door. Looking back once more to be sure no one was watching, he exited the brownstone, running as fast as he could once he reached the street.

It was several blocks before Matty felt safe enough to stop and flag down a taxi. He used the tip money from the last delivery to get back to Nowhere.

It was late when he arrived home. His mother was crying when he entered the apartment. Upon seeing him, she jumped up, rushing over to pull him into her arms.

“Where have you been?” Her muffled cries rushed out as she hugged him. “I was worried sick. They found a body earlier, and I didn’t know where you were.”

“I’m fine, Mom, but we need to leave,” Matty said.

She wasn’t listening. “And Mr. Hill didn’t know where you were either. I called, and he didn’t know.”

“I’m sorry,” Matty said, pushing his mother back so she could see him. “But we have to leave here, tonight.”

“What’s all over your shirt … is it blood? Are you hurt? Where have been?”

“Mom! Stop!” Matty yelled, trying to get his mother’s attention. “We have to leave. We have to get out of here tonight. I saw something I shouldn’t have seen. If they don’t believe me, and the Russian gets away … he’ll be looking for me. He’ll hurt us. He’ll hurt you.”

His mother straightened, wiping the tears from her face. “I’m going to call Mr. Hill. He will make everything right.”

Matty shook his head. Grabbing his mother by the arm, he said, “No! Mr. Hill can’t help us this time. We have to leave tonight. We can never come back. They’ll kill us if we come back.”

Her brows were drawn together, but Matty could tell she was starting to understand.

“Leave? Tonight?” she asked.

Matty nodded. “We have to. You’ve said so yourself before. This life isn’t safe. We can make it without them. We can’t ever come back,” he whispered.

She paused, looking around the apartment, then nodded. “All this time I’ve wanted to pretend things were fine, but ... the body they found—I was so scared it was you. I can’t take chances. You’re right, Matty. We have to go.” Looking back at her son, she smiled. “We’ll move some place where they don’t know us. We’ll start over. A new life for both of us.”

“Some place where they can’t find us,” Matty said.

“Some place where they’ll never find us,” his mother agreed.

She and Matty quickly packed their bags. They would be leaving almost everything behind, but that was the only way out. A taxi drove them to the bus station, where they bought two tickets to Washington, DC. From there they could go anywhere.

Matty stared out the window as the bus pulled out of town. He was sad that he couldn’t say goodbye to Juli, but it wasn’t safe—he wouldn’t risk his friend’s life by giving him a secret to keep. If the Russian survived he didn’t want Juli accused of helping Matty and his mother leave.

Chapter 13

2015

Julian skipped rocks into the river as he watched the sunrise. Ronny had called from the airport. Julian told him to meet here at the docks. Behind him, Matty slept in the backseat of the car. He’d been beaten up pretty badly, but he’d make it.

Julian stopped throwing rocks when he heard someone behind him.

He spun around, smiling when he saw Matty standing there with a piece of old pipe that had been lying on the ground beside the car. Of course, it was obvious his old friend barely had the strength to lift it.

“Are you sure you want to try that?” Julian asked. “After all, Matty, I’m the one that saved your life.”

~#~

Matt was so weak he could barely hold the pipe and balance himself. At the same time, he really looked at the guy who’d spoken. Something about him looked familiar. Something about his eyes and his sun-streaked blonde hair. He’d called him Matty.

“Juli?” Matt said before dropping the pipe and grabbing on to the car for balance.

The man rushed over to keep him from falling. “So you do remember me.” Juli said as he helped Matt back into the car. “Take it easy. Foster smacked you around pretty hard.”

“Where’s Pete?”

“I don’t know, but Ronny will be here soon. Then we’ll go ask Lenny.”

“He tried to kill me. I don’t think we’re going to convince him to just give back my son.”

Juli cocked his eyebrow. “I can be fairly convincing, and unless you have connections, that’s our only option.”

Connections. Matt chuckled. “Do you know a guy named Tony? Is he still around?”

“Tony Maddox?”

“Maybe, does he work for Logan? Was he around back then?”

Juli nodded. “Yeah, he’s an old timer. How do you know him?”

“Long story—but he’ll take us to see Logan.”

Juli laughed. “You know Jimmy Logan?”

Matt shrugged. “Sorta.”

“How? Haven’t you been living in Florida for thirty years?”

“I knew his son, Mickey. I did Mickey a favor once. I’m hoping Logan will remember.”

“Mickey’s dead.”

“I know,” Matt said, “I saw the Russian kill him.”

“And all this time I thought the Russian had killed you.” Juli paused, shaking his head. “Let’s go. I’ll tell Ronny to meet us at Tony’s.”

Tony was still working out of Fuller’s, but the bar wasn’t opened for business anymore. Matt and Juli went to the side door. Juli knocked. Matt’s head hurt from the beating. Lifting his arm to rub him temple, he saw the blood on his sleeve. Just like the first time I tried to see Tony. The door opened, pulling Matt from his thoughts. He was surprised, and a little pissed, to see Ryerson.

“Yeah,” Ryerson said before he saw who it was. “Shit.” His face paled.

Juli stopped him from closing the door. “We need to see Tony.”

Standing a little taller, he said, “Is he expecting you?”

Ryerson was trying to appear strong, but Matt sensed a little panic in his voice. “Yeah, tell him ‘Mickey the Mouse’ sent us.” Matt didn’t have time to beat around the bush.

Juli and Ryerson both looked at Matt as if he were crazy. He shrugged.

“Let us in,” Juli said, pulling the door open.

Ryerson ran up the stairs ahead of them. He knocked on the door frantically. “Tony, there’s a couple of guys out here to see you. One of them is Julian Townsend. The other said Mickey the Mouse sent him.”

A man’s voice that Matt recognized as Tony came from behind the closed door. “Who?”

“Townsend,” Ryerson said, as Matt and Juli reached the top of the stairs.

“No, the other one. Who sent him?” Tony asked.

“Mickey the Mouse. It’s that Larson guy from the Atherton job,” Ryerson added.

“Let them in,” Tony said.

Ryerson opened the door and stepped out of the way to let Matt and Juli pass.

Tony stared at Matt for a long minute. He was in his sixties now, but aside from the salt and pepper hair, he looked just as Matt remembered. “Who are you?” Tony asked.

Matt pointed to the blood on his shirt. “I’m that kid from thirty years ago, but this time it’s my own blood. I need to see Logan.”

“What’s he doing here?” Tony asked, nodding at Juli.

Matt glanced at Juli. “He’s an old friend. He gave me a ride.”

Turning his eyes to Juli, Tony asked, “So you don’t have any business with Logan?”

Juli shook his head. “No. Not today.”

Matt didn’t understand their concern with Juli, but it wasn’t like he knew exactly what his old friend did for a living, and he had gotten Matt away from Lenny’s goons.

“Ryerson,” Tony barked, “get the car.”

Juli’s phone buzzed. He answered it. “You’re here? Good. We’ll be right down.” Juli returned his phone to his pocket. “Ronny’s here.”

Tony pointed to Matt. “You’ll ride with me. Just you.”

Juli nodded. “Ronny and I will follow.”

Matt had started this ball rolling, but he still hesitated to get into Tony’s car by himself. He shook it off, he’d done this once before and without their help, he might not get to Pete in time.

As the car took off, Tony turned to Matt. “Why is Townsend involved?”

“I told you, he’s an old friend. He gave me a ride. He has no business with Logan.”

“I hope you’re right.”

Matt’s brow furrowed. He knew there was no way Juli had business with Logan, at least not related to Matt’s situation, but obviously this mobster was afraid of Juli for a reason.

Logan lived in the same brownstone Matt remembered, but like the pub it looked smaller this time. He hoped Logan would help, but the man wasn’t known for his generosity—although Matt was sure he couldn’t be quite as bad as the media made him out to be.

Matt said a quick hello to Ronny. He couldn’t believe how much the brothers had changed. Logan refused to see Ronny or Juli, but Juli didn’t care and Ronny wasn’t surprised.

“Don’t worry about it,” Juli said, “We’ll wait for you down here.”

The inside of the brownstone looked the same. A guard at the door patted Matt down before showing him up to Logan’s office.

Just as before, Logan was sitting at his desk working. His dark hair had all but disappeared into a thick gray mop. His age—early seventies—was apparent but Matt could tell that he still commanded respect.

Just as Tony had done earlier, Logan studied Matt for a few minutes.

“So you’re that kid from thirty years ago?” Logan asked.

“Yeah.” Matt nodded.

“How did you get out of the house?”

“I was lucky … and motivated. But that’s not why I’m here.”

Logan pursed his lips. “Why are you here?”

“Lenny has my son.” Matt had to hold back tears. “And I want him back. Will you help me?”

Logan narrowed his eyes. “Why does he have your kid?”

Matt shrugged. “He blames me because Mr. Hill treated me better when we were kids.”

“Why?”

“How the hell would I know? But whatever it is, he hates me enough to kidnap my son and try to kill me.”

“Huh,” Logan grunted, nodding. “He’s never been quite right. Maybe I’ll let Townsend take care of it.”

Matt’s eyebrows pulled together. “What do you mean?”

Logan chuckled. “How well do you know Townsend?”

“This morning was the first time I’ve seen him in thirty years. Why?”

“Let’s just say he works freelance, and takes care of things for us when we need him. Specifically problems with personnel. Let’s just say he’s not the guy you want knocking on your door.”

“Oh,” Matt said, realizing now why Logan didn’t want to see Juli. His old friend was a hitman for the Mob.

They left the office, Logan and Matt drove together in Logan’s car. Ronny and Juli followed. Tony went back to Fuller’s.

The drive from Logan’s place back to Nowhere reminded Matt of the taxi ride he’d taken so many years ago. He looked over at Logan and remembered Mickey, remembered the way Logan had looked when Tony told him about his son. Matt was just hoping he wasn’t about to hear the same thing.

Logan noticed Matt staring. He must have sensed something in Matt’s expression. “I’m sure he hasn’t hurt the kid. Not yet.”

Matt nodded. “I hope you’re right. I can’t even imagine what it was like for you.”

Logan’s expression changed. He glanced out the window as if remembering the past. “I got my revenge. I took care of the Russian—personally—but it didn’t change anything. Mickey—Mickey was still dead.”

That was all he said about the incident, but Matt understood now exactly how he’d felt back then. And Matt knew, without a doubt, if Lenny had killed Pete, Matt would take the same revenge Logan had all those years ago. And no one would ever find the body.

Matt listened as Logan called Lenny to let him know he’d be stopping by. Logan hadn’t told Lenny why he was coming.

Logan’s car pulled up outside Miller’s Pub around 11:30 AM. Matt, Ronny, and Juli all followed Logan into Miller’s back room.

Matt caught the moment Lenny’s face registered his. Lenny’s gaze darted around at everyone in the room. He was speechless as Logan sat down in front of his desk.

Matt, Juli, and Ronny stood behind Logan. Matt wanted to rip Lenny apart, but he’d let Logan run the show for now.

Lenny’s face was ashen white and all the cockiness of the previous day was gone. Although he had short hair now, he nervously pushed it out of his eyes.

Logan broke the silence. “A situation has been brought to my attention. I believe you have something that belongs to Mr. Larson.”

Lenny sat up straight in his chair. Of course, his calm façade was hindered slightly when his voice cracked. “How exactly do you know Matty?”

Logan raised one of his eyebrows. “He’s an old friend, and as such I expect you to treat him with the same respect you treat me.”

Lenny’s throat bobbed up and down as if he were trying to swallow a rock. “Well-well-well,” Lenny stuttered, then stopped. Took a deep breath and tried again. “You see I was unaware.”

Holding up his hand, Logan stopped him. “You have something very important to him. Find it. Now.”

Lenny nodded. “He’s still in Orlando.” His hands shook visibly as he pulled out his cellphone. It took him two tries to get the number right. “Carlos, this is Hill. I need to speak with your guys in Orlando … yes, they can reach me at this number.”

Logan took out his own cell phone and started typing. Lenny visibly paled the longer Logan typed. He looked down at his phone, as if willing it to ring. He jumped when Juli’s phone buzzed. Logan returned his phone to his pocket and stared at Lenny.

Matt saw Juli smile as he checked his phone. Juli type four letters and hit send.

Logan’s phone chimed.

“Plus expenses, of course,” Juli said, to no one in particular.

Lenny’s face fell, losing all expression. He twitched as if shocked when his phone finally rang.

“This is Hill. Put the kid on.”

Matt stepped forward, pulling the phone from Lenny’s hand. “Pete, Pete,” he said, holding his breath as he listened to the quiet rustle of static from the other end of the line. He released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding when he heard Pete’s voice.

“Dad. It’s me. What’s going on? Where are you?”

Matt could hear the fear in his son’s tone. He glared at Lenny. “I’m on my way home. Everything’s going to be okay. Where did they pick you up?”

“At the skate park,” Pete said.

“Okay, they’re going to drop you off there. I want you to go over to David’s after they drop you off and call my cell phone when you get there, okay?” Matt instructed.

“Okay,” Pete said, sounding a little less scared.

“Tell David’s parents that I’ll pick you up tonight. I love you. I’ll see you tonight.”

“I love you too,” Pete said.

“Now put the man back on the phone.” Matt heard Pete hand the phone back to his kidnapper. “Listen to me you son of a bitch. You take my kid back to the skate park. If there’s one scratch on him, you’re dead.” Matt tossed the phone back to Lenny. “Make that happen.”

Lenny put the phone to his ear. “Yeah, this is Hill. Do what he says. Take the kid back. Now. I’ll square it with Carlos later.”

Matt heard the guy cursing in Spanish as Lenny ended the call.

Logan looked back at Juli and nodded. “Plus expenses.” He turned to Lenny. “I trust this won’t happen again?”

“No, sir. It will never happen again.” Lenny assured him.

“Now that that’s settled, I’ve got other business to attend. Do you two need a ride?” Logan said to Ronny and Juli. “I believe we have some finer points to negotiate.”

“Yes,” Juli said. “We’d love a ride.”

Matt wanted to stay and beat the shit out of Lenny, but he wanted to get home to Pete more. He glanced around the old back room one more time. Nothing had changed. Lenny was the same jealous kid he’d been back then. “You’re nothing,” Matt said, then he turned to leave.

“See you around, Lenny,” Juli said, his voice calm and still like his dad’s use to be.

Matt took in a deep lungful of air as he exited the pub.

Juli threw Matt the keys to the car he’d woken up in that morning. “Leave it in long-term parking. The owner won’t be needing it,” he said, with a smile, “and don’t worry about Foster. I’ll settle that score.”

Matt nodded, still a little shell shocked by everything that had happened.

Ronny slapped him on the back. “Good seeing you again, Matty. Maybe you don’t wait so long between visits next time?”

He smiled, but they both knew he’d never be back.

Matt pulled out of Miller’s Pub behind Logan’s car. As he drove toward the city, he looked around and remembered the life he’d had in Nowhere—a life that had almost caught up with him. And one he was finally glad to be free of.

Chapter 14

2015

Matt and Pete both made it home safe. Faith came back from her mother’s and everything was getting back to normal. Matt came clean with Faith and Pete about his past. He told them everything. Faith was a little shocked but understood why he hadn’t wanted to talk about it.

He’d assured both of them that nothing like that would ever happen again.

Three weeks later, Matt was in the kitchen fixing a snack when he heard the doorbell ring.

“I’ll get it,” Pete yelled as he ran to the door.

“Is your father home?”

Matt dropped the knife he’d been holding. He recognized that voice. The man you don’t want knocking on your door had just knocked on his door.

“Pete, go back to the living room,” Matt said, nudging Pete away from the door.

“Okay,” Pete said, his face going from confused to concerned.

“Nice kid,” Juli said.

“What do you want?” Matt asked, keeping his voice low. Needless to say, he was uneasy about the visit.

Juli smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes, as if the truth of the situation pained him. “Don’t worry. It’s just a social call. I’m not here on business.”

“A social call?”

“Yeah, can’t a guy look up an old friend?”

Matt was thinking about it.

“You’d already know if I were here on business,” Juli said. “Or not—let’s just say we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

This assertion didn’t completely put Matt at ease.

“Come in,” Matt said and showed Juli through to the lanai.

Juli sat down in one of the chairs beside the pool. “You have a nice house.”

“Thanks. So … how have you been?” Matt didn’t really know what to say. He was sitting across from a man that used to be his best friend, a man who was now a contract killer, and a man who’d saved his life—but someone he didn’t really know anymore.

Juli reached into his inside pocket. For a split second Matt panicked, then he saw the jump drive in Juli’s hand.

“What is this?” Matt asked, as he took the drive.

“It’s the information Lenny had about you. I thought you might want to see it. It’s a very interesting read.”

Matt raised his eyebrows. “Really, what does it say?”

“Well, I know why Lenny hated you. Apparently he and Mr. Hill weren’t related.”

Matt shrugged. “And he hated me why?”

“Apparently you and Mr. Hill were related. According to those documents, he was your biological father.” Juli paused. “I can’t believe your mother never told you.”

Matt sat back in his chair. He didn’t know how to react. Why hadn’t his mother told him? “How is that even possible? What about Richard … my father?”

“Some of the hospital records indicate that you were a preemie. I think she was pregnant when she married him. He probably never knew.”

“What about Lenny?”

“I called my dad. I knew if anyone would know he would. He said that Lenny’s mom was cheating on Hill with a guy named Manny. Hill didn’t find out until after Lenny was born.”

Matt nodded. “I see. Did he know about me?”

“Dad said that he knew. That’s why Mr. Hill tried to find you.” Juli waited a moment for the news to sink in, then continued, “I also thought you might like to know how it ended.”

Matt’s eyebrows drew together. “What do you mean?”

Juli smiled. “Logan asked me to take care of the situation. To make sure Lenny wouldn’t be bothering you again.”

Matt’s shoulders relaxed. Looking at Juli, he asked, “The text, in the back room, that was Logan?”

Juli’s smirk was evident. “Oh, yeah. He wanted a price.”

Matt’s brows rose. “I saw you type four keys.”

“F-R-E-E,” Juli said.

“Wow.” Then Matt remembered. “Plus expenses.”

Juli shrugged. “Logan was tired of dealing with Lenny. He just needed a good enough reason to get rid of him.”

“So what happened to him?”

“It’s probably better if you don’t know the details.”

Matt thought about that for a second. Juli was right, it was better if he not know the exact details about the job. “Yeah, I think I get the idea. What about Nowhere? Who’s taking over?”

“Logan left Ronny in charge. He wants him to clean house—the usual.”

Matt nodded. “What about Foster? That bastard nearly killed me.”

Juli chuckled. “Well, he’s not going to military school in Connecticut this time, but you don’t have to worry about him either.”

“So this is what you do? You take care of people for a price?”

“It pays the rent.”

“How did you …” Matt wasn’t exactly sure how to ask.

“How did I get into this line of work?”

“Yeah. I mean only two ways out of Nowhere, right?”

A mischievous grin turned up Juli’s lips. “I joined the Army the day I turned eighteen. I didn’t even tell Ronny. I sent Mom and Dad a postcard from boot camp. Dad was pissed.”

“The Army?”

“Special Forces. One of Uncle Sam’s finest. Taught me everything I needed to know.”

“Next you’re going to tell me you have a degree from Brown.”

Juli smiled. “Dartmouth actually. I mean, every mercenary worth his salt should also be Ivy League.”

Matt laughed. “Of course. So how long are you going to be in town?”

“Just passing through. I’ve got some business in Miami.”

Matt knew better than to ask Juli about his plans. They sat on the lanai for a while longer and reminisced about old times. Matt knew that he’d probably never see Juli again, but at least this time he got to say goodbye.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

HD Smith has been writing for over ten years. NOWHERE, NJ, was her second novella. It has been rewritten to give Matty and his friend’s adventures a new audience in today’s digital-first market.

HD grew up in South Carolina, but has called the Sunshine State home since 1997. She has Computer Science degrees from Clemson University (BS) and Florida Institute of Technology (MS). When not writing novels, she writes software for an awesome cruise line in Celebration, FL. Her other hobbies include painting and screen printing. She enjoys creating t-shirts inspired by the places in her books. For more information, visit HD’s website at http://www.hdsmithauthor.com/

The Good Bad Guys Series:

Keegan’s Point

Nowhere, NJ

The Devil’s Assistant Series (Urban Fantasy):

Dark Hope

Dark Awakened

Photo by Stacie Lee

Thank You

If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or any other Social Media site you frequent.

Newsletter

While it may be ambitious to call it a newsletter, if you’d like to be notified when new releases are scheduled, visit my website and sign-up for my mailing list. This service is currently hosted by MailChimp, which has a very robust anti-spam process. It is easy to join and every email will have a valid, easy to use, unsubscribe link.

Thank you for your interest!

http://www.hdsmithauthor.com

HD Smith ~ Book Designs

For anyone interested in purchasing products based on designs inspired by my books, please check out my store on the Cafe Press site.

http://www.cafepress.com/hdsmithbookdesigns

Table of Contents

- Chapter 12015
- Chapter 21985
- Chapter 32015
- Chapter 41985
- Chapter 52015
- Chapter 61985
- Chapter 72015
- Chapter 81985
- Chapter 92015
- Chapter 101985
- Chapter 112015
- Chapter 121985
- Chapter 132015
- Chapter 142015