Love, War, And Treasure Too

By Levi Walker

Tony Russo worked for the Naval Investigative Service in the late 80's. In one of his investigations, he is assigned a female handler with whom he quickly falls madly in love. Soon, she follows suit and becomes totally devoted to Tony. But Natasha, alias Sandra Duvall, is not American. She is a Soviet Ukrainian and therefore considered an in-country hostile. Her father is a high ranking member of the Politburo and her older brother is an agent for the KGB. As a liaison granted entry into the country by President Reagan, She has knowledge of a mole selling flight schedules of the P-3 Orion Sub Chasers in the gulf and mid-Atlantic. During Tony's investigation, he discovers that a high ranking government official or rogue CIA agent has been selling guns and drugs on a mass scale, racketeering, ordering murders and intimidation, as well as the treason for which Tony was investigating. An explosive conflict brews as Tony continues to bait this criminal known only to him as the Dutchman. After finding Confederate treasure lost to time for a 125 years, he prepares for a final confrontation. When it blows up, it blows big altering lives...even the landscape and the Mississippi itself. After this confrontation, Tony takes advantage of the lull to train with the Marines at Parris Island, a Navy SEAL in Pensacola, and with a Japanese senseii back in Memphis. He and his new love marry in a beautiful plantation style wedding. When the Soviets learn of Natasha's plans to marry, six Spetsnaz warriors are sent to either bring her home or, if that fails, kill her. Tony's training comes to the forefront, and he eradicates them all with surgical precision. He and Natasha will allow nothing to come between them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Levi Walker
• Release date: Sep 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310713958

Levi Walker

Born in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1965; I have lived all over the South and had great many adventures. I was educated at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and The University of Tennessee at Knoxville. I have served both in the Navy and, more recently, the SC Army National Guard as a civilian contractor. Currently, I devote all my time as a substitute teacher for Lexington County School District 2 and to writing as a burgeoning freelance author.

Book preview

Love, War, and Treasure too:

The Evil Within series

By Levi Walker

***

Copyright 2014

Walker-Russo Publishing

Smashwords Edition

Cover art by stanzalonedesign.weebly.com/

***

Books by Levi Walker

The Evil Within series

Love, War, and Treasure too

When Darkness Shines Bright

Leviticus Prime

***

Dedicated to Natasha Romani Ledkenski

***

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One: NIS

Chapter Two: Natasha

Chapter Three: The Kiss

Chapter Four: Duarte

Chapter Five: Tony’s Tavern

Chapter Six: The Treasure Hunt

Chapter Seven: The Bat Cave

Chapter Eight: The Warehouse Raid

Chapter Nine: The Sundance Kid

Chapter Ten: The Great Escape

Chapter Eleven: Gilligan and Cousin Daisy

Chapter Twelve: Papa Bear and Goliath

Chapter Thirteen: Paradise-Southern Style

Chapter Fourteen: Dixieland Delight

Chapter Fifteen: The Resurrection

Chapter Sixteen: Good Friends

Chapter Seventeen: Parris Island

Chapter Eighteen: Family Ghosts

Chapter Nineteen: The Colonel’s Christmas Gift

Chapter Twenty: Drown-Proofing

Chapter Twenty-One: Will U. Blowmee

Chapter Twenty-Two: Wedding Plans

Chapter Twenty-Three: Something New

Chapter Twenty-Four: The Promise Land

Epilogue

About the Author

***

Prologue

***

April, 1974; Satchel Ford Elementary School-Columbia, South Carolina:

Hey, Jew boy. Manuel Duarte called to Levi Walker. Levi never understood why he called him that. He was a devout Anglo-Christian. He even did the Crucifix over his chest, even though he wasn’t Catholic. Anyway, he guessed Manny assumed that Levi was a Jewish name. He could understand how that could appear Jewish to any casual yet clueless bigot. But no offense was taken. Levi never understood people’s intolerance of other skin colors, religions, or anything. In fact, he was proud to be called a Jew. Jesus was a Jew. All the good guys in the Bible were Jews. Most of his favorite movies and television shows were produced or directed by Jews. So, taking pride in his obvious Jewishness and motioning the Crucifix over his then Methodist chest, he sauntered over to Manny with Nannette holding on to the back of his shirt.

Hey, Manny. What’s goin’ on?

Everything’s goin’ on. For a fifth grader, Manny was short but muscular. Levi had to admit to himself, if no one else, that he was scared. His bony knees quaked like imaginary cymbals between his meatless legs. I thought I told you that Nannette was my girl, he exclaimed.

Excuse me? I am NO one’s girl! Nannette proclaimed with vehemence.

She inspired Levi’s defiance and he began a witty tirade. Listen buddy…! The tirade was short lived as Duarte shoved him with very little of his might. Levi’s stick man arms wet up and he fell backwards toward the gravitational center of the planet. Time slowed to a clock watching crawl. During his rolling descent, a great many of his thoughts decided it would be nice to get out and take a stroll. Should he not have called him buddy? Probably not. It was certain that he wasn’t his buddy now. Why had he stood with his back to the sky? Geez Louise, how tall was this hill? When Levi finally came to rest at the bottom, he stood in shame. Bones unbroken, he looked back up the hill at the throng of laughing children. They seemed to move further away as Levi shrank into insignificance. Nannette tried to go to him but Manny held her arm. He dusted the grass from his pants and looked over the thousand miles between himself and the school. Then he glanced back up again at the top of the hill, also a thousand miles away. Levi chose to walk away from the ‘fight’ in humiliation, knowing that even if he climbed back up the hill to face Duarte, he would still be at a disadvantage. Manuel was stronger and had the higher ground. Levi walked away in shame, telling himself that it was the only smart thing to do.

***

You need to leave Levi alone, Tony Russo said as he confronted Manny Duarte after all the other kids had left the playground.

What? Are you crazy or something?

I’m only going to say it once more. Leave Levi alone!

You are nuts, Manny declared as he shoved Tony.

Tony countered with a right cross that sent Manny to the ground. The school bully’s response was to rub his aching jaw, stand up, and scamper off. Since the age of four, Tony had been Levi’s friend and protector. He knew his friend was brave. But he also knew Levi utilized logic at the expense of pride. Tony had no qualms in ignoring logic and always followed his gut instinct.

***

April, 1974; Ledkenski Manor, Kiev, Ukraine:

Mama, is it okay if I give my shoes to Ilyanka? Natasha asked as she came home from school.

Why do you want to give away your shoes, dochka?

Because she has none.

Sure. You have another pair. That’s very sweet that you want to share with your friend.

Oh, she is not my friend. She is very mean to me.

Why would you want to give her anything?

Maybe she is mean because she does not have any shoes.

My dear sweet Tasha, her mama said as she hugged her little girl. Not all people are mean for a reason. But yes, you can give her your shoes.

Chapter One: NIS

***

Thirteen years later; August 28th, 1987; Twenty miles north of Memphis, Tennessee:

Tony quickly shot four rounds into the bat cave. The muzzle flash was blinding and the sound deafening. He quickly rolled away from the cave. Tens of thousands of bats shrieked into the cavern in a tornadic storm. They swarmed around within the cave creating an angry wind as they sought the exit. Tony could barely see the flashlights of his pursuers through the thick mass off rodents. One light moved erratically and fell into the cavern. Another pointed upwards as a gun fired into the air at the mass. Now was the time to make a dash for the tunnel that lead to the river. Explosives were planted there and he could cave in the exit once he passed.

As Tony dropped down into the river tunnel from the cavern, he was amazed by how light it was. He could see the end of the tunnel. It appeared as if it were daylight outside. It was well after dark, but his eyes had become so accustomed to the total absence of light that the night time darkness appeared relatively brilliant. He ran for the river full speed and suddenly slid to a stop. He had almost forgot to blow the tunnel in his haste to escape the suffocating blackness. He looked for the trigger but to no avail. A moment ago it seemed light, but now he couldn’t see anything.

Screw it! he said aloud and again took off running towards the light.

Reaching the end, he stopped and breathed in deep, shaking off the dizziness from blood loss and the sense of claustrophobia. Scanning the Mississippi River’s coastline for Natasha, he spied her standing alongside the canoe waiting. She had pulled the brush away from it and was pacing nervously.

Tasha! A surge of energy coursed through his veins when he saw her.

Tony, I was so worried. Where have you been? What took you so long? she asked, her Slavic accent more pronounced than usual.

I stopped and got some donuts. I hope you like Boston cream! He laughed as he jumped down from the twenty-foot cliff to the sandy riverside beach.

Chocolate covered?

Is there any other kind? He ran to her, picked her up in his arms and kissed her. Adrenaline still coursed through his body. We have to hurry. I didn’t get to blow the tavern or the tunnel. Duarte’s thugs are right behind me, he posited though he doubted they would even be able to find the river tunnel from the cavern. Tony ran to the canoe and pulled it to the edge of the Mississippi. He took the plunge trigger out and placed it beside the boat. Locating the two wires that were connected to his backup generator, he hooked them to their posts.

Would you like to do the honors, Miss Ledkenski?

It would be a great honor, sir. But don’t you want to?

He shook his head and said, No ma’am, please hurry!

She grabbed the tee of the plunger cautiously and paused. Tony saw the entrance of the tunnel getting lighter and lighter. Crap!

He looked back at Natasha anxiously. Tasha…sweetheart, we can keep it and take it home with us. You can spend all the time you want with it then. For now, could you please press the plunger down?

She smiled and pushed the plunger back to him. This is your crusade, Tony. I’m not sure I want to cause anyone’s death. Actually, I am sure I don’t want that. I don’t think I can do it.

You’re right! I wasn’t thinking. Get in the canoe, sweetie. She did. Tony pushed it into deeper water while mashing the plunger down with his foot. He jumped in and began paddling. A sharp crack sounded in the distance and a dull orange glow emanated from over the tree line a quarter mile away. A second larger blast rocked the same spot. The hundred and twenty years old tavern vanished in a ball of flames. As if dominoes were falling, blasts cascaded closer and closer until flames shot from the mouths of the two tunnels. Tony saw the silhouettes of four men fly from one cave entrance followed by a ball of flame. Then everything was deathly silent.

Is it over? Natasha asked as if she had been watching a fireworks show.

Yep, that’s it! He maneuvered the canoe around so that he could paddle backwards. Within seconds, they were nearly out of the lagoon.

A deep rumbling sound began to reverberate from the hillside. They were not yet into the Mississippi’s main channel and the water’s surface was placid and calm. Spicules on the surface started forming, growing larger and more violent. It was like the entire river was set on a washing machine during the spin cycle. It took Tony only seconds to figure out what was happening. He began rowing furiously towards the center of the river.

What’s happening, Tony?

I think we broke the mountain!

What?

There must have been a lot more tunnels and caves in there. We might have stressed them to a point of catastrophic collapse. Like when a house of cards collapses. Levi is going to be pissed about the bat cave.

The orange glow at the top of the hill suddenly went dark. The thundering crescendo of millions of tons of rock falling in on itself drowned out the initial rumbles of the falling hill. The horizon that existed seconds before dropped below the level of the river. A vacuous void was created that would soon be a cauldron of uprooted trees and seething waves. An emptiness that was soon pulling their little canoe backwards. Tony continued paddling furiously.

You found all that gold, and you could not get a boat with a motor? Natasha joked trying to hide her fear.

The dealer said this was a real chic magnet, he yelled back over the rising din.

They were sucked into the midst of the swirling water, barely staying upright and afloat. Over mangled trees and huge boulders, deeper into the angry cauldron they were thrust. An entire Sycamore tree rolled over top of them like a broccoli spear tossed around in boiling water, missing them by some miracle. When they reached the other side of the tumultuous turmoil, a returning wave twenty feet tall lifted the front end of the canoe almost vertical, pushing them backwards back into the center of the churning upheaval.

Hold on! Natasha yelped.

***

Seventeen months earlier; April, 1986

Memphis Naval Air Station

Millington, Tennessee:

Tony Russo had already been in the Navy for over a year when he received an order to appear at the Naval Investigative Service Headquarters. He hadn’t been caught doing anything wrong. That didn’t necessarily mean that he always did right. But the majority of his extracurricular activities, albeit morally questionable, were not illegal. Still, the summons had him confused and concerned. Reporting to the office as ordered, he was faced with a model quality receptionist dressed a tight well fitted Lieutenant’s costume. At five foot eleven inches tall, her uniform hugged her large breasts, slim waist, and heart shaped rear with a snugness that left only the details to the imagination. The sight of her stopped Tony in his tracks.

How are you doing? If you don’t mind my saying, you have to be the most beautiful Officer that I’ve ever seen. Tony addressed her, displaying his obvious intentions.

At ease, Sailor! Yes, I do mind. Is there something I can help you with? Although she responded with apparent indignation, Tony thought he detected a nearly imperceptible smile.

Yes, Lieutenant. I apologize, ma’am. Sometimes my mouth opens before my brain has a chance to stop it. I’m supposed to meet Colonel Brandywine at one o'clock.

You mean thirteen hundred hours?

Thirteen hundred hours? That’s like…two months. Do you have anything sooner? The lovely Lieutenant gave no response except a blank stare. Wow, tough crowd.

Please have a seat, Airman. I’ll let him know you’re here. Tony admired her as she walked to her desk, certain this time that he saw a smile. She pressed a button on the phone. Colonel, your next appointment is here!

Thank you, Lieutenant. Send him in. The voice on the intercom sounded burley and rough. Tony pictured a hungry bear sitting behind a desk eating a freshly caught new recruit.

Reporting as ordered, sir! He relaxed when he recognized the man as a Marine Colonel that he had failed to salute a few weeks prior. ‘Maybe this isn’t serious at all,’ he thought.

The Colonel looked up without standing and took survey of Tony. Why are you wearing red stripes, Airman?

Tony had been designated Engineer in the Nuclear Power School at Great Lakes which he lost due to a technicality. Although his transfer went through for Avionics, bureaucratic red tape had failed to change his status. This had no bearing on anything accept he was the only ‘E-3 or below’ on the base to sport red stripes instead of Carolina blue. It was a distinction that made him stand out at times when he would prefer to fade away into anonymity and go unnoticed.

My designation is in the process of being altered. The orders haven’t come through yet, sir.

I see. Do you know why you’re here, Sailor? Colonel Vincent Brandywine’s voice was gruff and rumbled like a growl. Brandywine stood and Tony judged him to be about six and a half feet tall. He was muscular and had the high and tight haircut that was typical of Marines. His bearing was reminiscent of Marshal Matt Dillon. He even carried his standard Marine issue forty-five caliber sidearm low on his thigh like a gunfighter. His stance was that of a man about to draw his weapon, making Tony more uneasy.

I suppose it’s for not saluting you last week, sir.

No, that isn’t why you’re here but I would like to address that issue. You seemed to vanish before I could even call you to attention.

Well sir, I was not technically required to salute you. The Navy does not salute indoors and you were standing in a doorway which is quite literally in a door. I didn’t have time to explain myself to you so I beat a hasty retreat. I do apologize for that, sir!

You are arrogant, aren’t you? He paused a moment then smiled. Well, as I said, that’s not why you’re here. You have come under scrutiny because of your association with an Airman Robert Leland. He has been suspected of distributing narcotics and has been under investigation. Anyone that he has been in contact with is also being investigated. That includes you. He paused and looked up, waiting for some kind of response.

Leland is just someone I know from Great Lakes. We are not well acquainted, Tony wished to absolve himself of any close link to the man.

I’ve had one of my men shadowing you for a while now. I’ve come to that conclusion and that you aren’t involved in any suspicious activities…not related to narcotics anyway. However, after reviewing your service records, I wanted to meet with you. I didn’t know you were the Sailor that failed to salute me until you walked in the door.

I saw your man several times. He isn’t very good at tailing and I’ve tried to explain that I didn’t fail to salute. I…

The Colonel cut him off. The next time you interrupt me, Sailor, I’ll have you flogged!

Yes, sir! Sorry, sir! Tony again snapped to attention. He froze and immediately had respect for the Colonel. It was like when a master pops a puppy on the nose. Tony’s first thought was, ‘Do they still flog people?’

Brandywine took a breath and picked up some papers. The reason I have summoned you is to judge whether you could make it as a special agent…if you’re interested. My observers have reported that you are undisciplined and reckless. You disdain authority but appear to respect people for their merits. None of that is usually what I look for in a recruit but I have something special in mind. It also says that fairness and justice are very important to you. You are inventive, imaginative, and function well when left to your own devices without command interruption. The Colonel put down one stack of reports then picked up another as he looked up at Tony. Also, I have reviewed your service records and have determined you are a prime candidate for what I have in mind. Your aptitude tests are well above most of the other recruits and you probably feel you’re smarter than all the people that order you about. The only reason you lost your Nuke School was just unabashed stupidity on your part. If you’re interested in my program, I need you to trust my men and do as they say. They do know best when it comes to the training that you’ll have to go through. I want you to train with my Marines first in hand to hand combat and small arms. During this time, I’ll be able to see if Marine discipline is at all possible with you. Then you will train with my agents on the details of surveillance and infiltration. You will no longer be under the command of Memphis NATTC or Memphis NAS but under orders of the Secretary of the Navy. Not directly of course but through me and the chain of command. Should you choose to accept this program and should you pass the training, I have a specific kind of job for you which you will be informed of at a later date. What say you, Sailor? Do you need time to think it over?

I’ll do it, Tony said without hesitation. He wondered how the Colonel’s people had come up with that summation, however. Maybe they were a bit more inconspicuous than Tony had thought. He hoped they hadn’t seen him with any married women or any of the other delicate situations in which he often found himself.

That’s what I thought you’d say. My reports also indicated that you tend to jump without looking. That is a quality that may serve you well…or not.

I do have one question though, sir. What about my school in avionics?

We’ll take care of that. You will stay in school for the moment only to keep up your appearance as a NATTC student. We will take care of your grades. Command and your immediate supervisors will be apprised of your situation but no others will be aware of it. This is strictly ‘need to know’ so secrecy is important on your part as well. Judging from your past, I presume you will disregard any direct orders given to you. Just understand that, in the situations that I plan to put you in, lives may depend on secrecy including your own. Your training with my Marines will be sporadic so that you can continue your ordinary duties. That means that your training will have to be accelerated and I warn you…it will not be easy. Still interested?

Yes, sir! Tell me what to do.

Brandywine gave Tony specific and detailed instructions on what was expected of him and what he was to do first. Tony took notes when he wasn’t sure he could remember it all and assured the Colonel that he was up to the challenge. As Tony stood to leave, the Colonel stopped him. Airman! Although I was technically indoors when you failed to salute, you were not. You had your cover on and were required to salute. If you wish to cite the Uniform Code of Military Justice to me, then I suggest you read the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Dismissed!

Aye Aye, sir! Tony did an about face and left the room. Damn, he’s right, Tony spoke aloud.

The blonde bombshell dressed in a tight Navy Lieutenant’s skirt and bulging blouse looked up from her desk and smiled. He usually is.

***

The training was as brutal as the Colonel had implied. The physical requirements were ten times what the Navy expected. Tony nearly quit on two occasions but the other Marines helped keep him motivated. They were good people and knew what was expected of them and were determined to accomplish anything that was thrown their way. They also knew Tony was in an accelerated program and was doing twice the curriculum they were. Tony thought it incredible what Marines could put themselves through and remain sane. Respect was certainly due them. Combat training and hand to hand combat training nearly killed him but he pulled through. Weapons Training was much easier. He didn’t have to learn any advanced systems, just small fire arms. He trained one week on and one week off. The week that he was off, he went to class and focused on his sore muscles rather than electronics. There were no worries, though. The grades were taken care of and he no longer cared to play with the airplanes.

His first assignment was something of a ‘feeler’ so the Colonel could judge his abilities. He was to get to know some of the people on the seedier side of Memphis. Tony was tasked with seeking out low level drug deals or whatever else he could find that that involved military personnel. In Tony’s mind, he was just a ‘Narc’. It required him to go deep undercover, communing with the dregs of humanity and the filthiest of lechers. He did gain some respectable homeless friends, however. Most were decent law-abiding people that were just down on their luck. Their misery and weakness was preyed upon by pushers and liquor store owners. He didn’t like it but that’s the way society worked in the gutter. Without hesitation, he took it on himself to help those that wanted out of the sewers.

***

February 1st, 1987; Kiev, Ukraine:

Are you frightened, Tasha?

No, Niko. Only uncertain. I will be alone in a strange place. I guess I am just a little nervous. This is my first mission away from home. That is all. Natasha proclaimed as she attempted to ease her brother’s worries.

"Do not be nervous, my precious. I have been to America a dozen times. It is a good place for the most part. Just remember the job you