Starlight Serenade

By Frank Hajek

A chance incident begins this murderous adventure spanning two oceans to uncover one hundred years of tragedy. Lou Burton was an average guy until he met her... and was dragged into the horror of chemical rage, veiled in billionaire madness. A Thriller

• Language: English
• Publisher: Frank Hajek
• Release date: Nov 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311927392

Frank Hajek

AUTHOR Frank Hajek spent his career working within the design and advertising communities, owning an advertising agency for more than thirty years. He has written throughout his life for print and television, including screenplays. Presently he lives and works in the Philippine Islands.

Book preview

PART ONE

CHAPTER ONE

Morning Nineteen Ninety One

Does God give one warning on the day that changes your life? The sun rose over Honolulu that Thursday. Nothing different, nothing exceptional, no indication of calamity.

Louis Burton got up about six fifteen and went through his routine. Take a leak, half glass of cool water, his vitamin drink then relax in front of the tube to review the news, weather and the morning smilers on local TV. Same bullshit, same dialog, same weather.

If you've been to Hawaii you know that the weather can be written in stone. High - eighty two - eighty five, low seventy two - seventy five, morning showers, especially over the mountains, then clearing for the afternoon and a sunny beautiful day. Trade winds can be mild, moderate or stiff, but always welcomed. It never changes. Summer you can move both temperatures up by two to five degrees, winter, as it was now, the numbers above.

Burton always had trouble figuring out why people got paid good money to report that same news day after day. But they did,... and he watched.

That morning would follow his daily pattern. After he showered, brushed his teeth and dressed in his casual best, he headed for the office. Today would be a quiet day, as it was Thanksgiving, and the place was sure to be deserted.

He was a graphic designer, originally from New York where he’d been trained at one of the finest design schools in the country. That, of course, meant nothing once you walked out the formidable doors that secured the Manhattan campus.

At forty-two years old, and twenty pounds overweight he was sporting a ponytail no middle aged rock n' roller should ever have. He thought often that it looked stupid, but to some clients it meant ‘creative’ and to some broads it meant... something, he wasn't sure what, so he kept it. Besides, he saved a few bucks on haircuts, and things weren't all that flush right now.

Burton had been happily married, but that ended six years ago when his wife found a better situation with another, younger guy. Her boss, in fact. He handled it well, he thought, but it left him in a state of ‘I-Don't-Care’, with bells on. With that mindset it would lead, of course, to money and business problems that were previously unexpected, to say the least.

Although they had never been rich, Lou did well at that time and their lives were shaped by dinners with friends and diving trips throughout the islands. The week ends favored golf outings with a group they had joined and the occasional fling at a Waterfront Row bar. Now those days were over.

With no kids and no joint property of which to speak, the separation was simple, if not quick, and their separate lives moved on, separately. From time to time he still felt that painfully.

His office was located in an industrial building in Kakaako, near downtown Honolulu’s business district. It was comfortable, pretty well equipped, and convenient to his apartment. The rest of the building was taken up with additional small businesses, and a commercial printing company he used often. Today it would be quiet and he looked forward to getting a few of the daily chores he had put off, accomplished.

There was the music, too. He worked his way through college in a rock n' roll band and had always loved making music. Now that he could use ‘middle-aged-crazy’ as an excuse, he cherished writing and recording his tunes with the company computer on many weekends.

Traffic was light as he headed in, but began to jam up as he got closer to downtown. Thank God he wasn't coming in from the Ewa Plain. Those poor folks were forced to manage facing the sun while driving into town every morning, and facing it again during the drive home at dusk. The city fathers had developed a plan, and since the construction of Waikele and the many housing projects of the ‘Second City’ these Ewa Beachers’ also faced the worst traffic in Hawaii's history. Four lanes each way, and nothing moved.

The sky was overcast, with a little bit of rain, but nothing that wouldn't burn off by ten am. As Burton came up on Vineyard Boulevard, approaching Queen Emma Street, there were two lanes of traffic that turn left, and just beyond, the entrance to the Pacific Club.

One of the premiere estate clubs in Hawaii, The Pacific Club was exclusive money, and lots of it. Rumor was it took a hundred thousand donation just to be considered for membership. Old trees, groomed to perfection, and lots of parking in an area that got fifty bucks a square foot just for the land, were clues to the awesome power of it's restricted membership.

Burton was in the second lane that would swing to the outside right lane on Queen Emma as they turned. The inside lane would end up in the central lane headed mauka on Queen Emma. The light changed and he began to negotiate the turn at regular speed.

Suddenly, the car to his left sped up and veered sharply right, directly in front of him. It was a black Mercedes sedan and seemed determined to make the Pacific Club entrance at all costs. Lou jammed on his brakes, but there was no way this was going to work. The Mercedes crunched into his left front fender with a screech of plastic and steel that meant the quiet day he’d anticipated was already shot to hell.

He threw the shift into park and got out to assess the damage. There was a bit of steam coming up from the radiator, and the headlight was broken, but it looked drivable. Jesus! he really didn't need this shit.

The door on the Mercedes swung open like it was on ball bearings. It was a four eighty DL sedan, probably one hundred thirty thousand bucks or more and the front end was a bit crumpled, but nothing serious. It must have weighted two and a half tons and had bulletproof glass to boot.

Then she got out.

Burton guessed she was thirty-five or forty, a bit matronly, but very attractive and very well done. Hair just so. Eyes, nails, jewelry... you can picture this. And the dress. Pure black, from soft turtle neck all the way down past an ample bosom, through the firm, proportioned hips to impeccable shoes, barely visible, with what had to be 24 carat gold buckles on the toes. Not Gucci, more like Versacci.

You fool... see what you've done!

Lou was taken aback. Didn't she just try to make a right turn from the left lane, and smash into him?

Wadda ya mean? You turned directly into me. he shot back, but she was unmoved. With a look only wealth can muster and a voice as cold as the polar ice cap she hissed back at him.

You have no right to be in my way. Move this car immediately!

Burton was incredulous, and his anger was beginning to grow.

I won't move a damn thing, sweetie. Not until we get an accident report.

Lou walked back to his car to use his mobil phone. He wanted to call the cops and get an on-site accident report, but as he walked he saw the traffic was backing up behind them and people were beginning to get aggravated. The commotion also brought out a very distinguished looking gent with graying temples and a courtroom demeanor. He walked over from the Pacific Club and was now talking to her.

‘Just what I need’, Burton thought, ‘she’s already got a fucking lawyer’. He looked out over the front of his car, phone in hand as he dialed for the operator. It was a hard wired automotive installation, but the handset came with a very long coiled wire. Lou stepped out by the door, phone still to his ear.

Young man! Will you move this car... right now! she fired across the hood of the Mercedes.

Not until you agree this accident was your fault he shot back.

Graying temples stepped in between them.

Perhaps we can settle this without it becoming an incident.

Burton looked up at him, mobile phone to his ear. ‘Busy signal,’ he thought, ‘where were the cops when you needed them.’

She turned right in front of me. Didn't even look,... just turned!

He was trying to stay calm, but this was really starting to piss him off.

OK, OK, soothed gray temples, Perhaps I can entice Ms. Barrington to cover you expenses,... and a bit more?

He looked over at her and nodded gently. Then he turned back to Lou, scanning him head to toe as he spoke. Lou felt the intimidation that is resident with wealth and power. The Dark Lord stood directly in front of him.

No one has been injured that I can see, and the damage to your car is not that substantial. Shall we settle this right here?

Burton was beginning to feel like a chicken in a fox coup, but if he could make this go away with a few dollars in his pocket, it might turn out to be a good day after all.

What are we talking about here?

Gray temples looked over at the still scowling matron. She hesitated a moment, then in a staccato mid-tone;

I'll give you a check for fifteen hundred dollars and not a penny more!

Temples looked back at Burton. Lou looked back over at the matron.

I don't know how much this is going to cost to fix. he said, And how do I know what you might decide to do later? He looked at the lawyer. Stop payment on the check, or whatever.

Temples reassured him. Ms. Barrington will honor the check, I promise you.

And who are you? shot Burton.

John Danforth Dillingham... he replied, maybe you've heard of me.

Fifteen hundred is not enough. You've got practically no damage at all, but it looks like I might have to replace the radiator,... and the front panel...

Burton hesitated. He wasn't comfortable with all this but things were getting really hairy behind them as the traffic jam grew. Then an idea popped into his head. Rushing back to his car, he pulled out the digital camera often used for low-res photos in artwork he designed. Backing off from the now agitated ‘temples’ he snapped a quick shot of the two front bumpers.

Dillingham stepped forward, getting between Lou and the next shot.

Now, this isn't necessary. he said as he raised his hand to block the lens. We can settle this here and now.

Dillingham looked over his shoulder at Ms. Barrington and spoke.

Emily, let's settle this right now!" he insisted and turning back to Burton showed a half smile full of perfect teeth.

Alright, alright... she said over his shoulder, I'll give him three thousand dollars.

Dillingham nodded at Burton, smile increasing.

Three thousand dollars, he added that should cover your costs nicely.

The horns were beginning to go off behind them and Burton was feeling the pressure.

OK! OK!... but get her some driving lessons, for Christ’s sake.

She glared at him again, but produced a checkbook from her purse and began to write. Dillingham looked back, saw that the deal was done and turned back to Burton, still smiling.

Thank you. I'm sure we all want this to be over as quickly as possible.

Without a smile, without a flicker in her eyes, Emily Barrington was handing the check across the hood of her hundred thirty thousand dollar Mercedes. Burton stepped forward, past Dillingham to retrieve it, reaching out to meet her half way. She looked over at him, face relaxed now, but no sign of remorse.

He pulled the check back and brought it up to read,

Ms. Emily Barrington

Fourteen Forty Nuuanu Pali Drive

Honolulu, Hawaii Six Eight Seven Nine Nine

Bank of Hawaii... Check number two sixty eight, written for three thousand dollars, payable to... blank.

He looked up at her.

Fill in your own name.. she hissed I don't want to know it.

Now, Lou was a pretty patient guy, but that annoyed him. Burton looked up at her and thought ‘Bust my balls, will you bitch,... well two can play that game.’

She turned to get into her car but Burton raised his hand quickly and called after her.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! he shouted, I need to see some ID

Her eyes fired back at him and ‘Temples’ began to intercede.

That's not necessary,... please

No way. shot Burton I want to see a driver’s license!

Ms. Barrington and Temples exchanged looks after which the lawyer turned to Burton and tried again to reassure him.

This is not necessary, sir, I assure you.

Burton looked back and forth between them and the light went on in his head. He spoke quietly to Dillingham.

She doesn't have a license... does she?

The look on Dillingham's face said it all. And now Burton could see a police car at the top of the road in blue and white. He looked over at Dillingham and handed him the check.

I think the damage is more like seven thousand five hundred he barked, and I think I want to go to court.

Dillingham became pale.

No, No,.... this will not work well for you if you persist, sir, he glanced back at the matron, not sure what to do next.

Burton shot another picture of the two cars. Maybe this was going to be a good day, after all. By now the traffic behind them was in an uproar and the cop at the top of the hill had committed to entering the fray. Emily Barrington spoke up first.

Alright. Let me have that check.

She reached across the Mercedes again.

I'll write you another for the seven thousand five hundred.

I'll still need an ID. shot Burton.

Impossible! She flashed.

Burton hesitated a moment. The cop was on the way and if he got into this it might squirrel the deal. Lou pointed to her wrist and the obvious money draped around it.

OK then, let me have your watch until the check clears.

What, she fired. Are you crazy?

Look, lady. I've seen you do some pretty stupid things, and I have no way of knowing that you won't put a stop payment on this check... He knew he was right. So, I get to hold that watch until I cash this check tomorrow,... he looked over at Dillingham, or the deal is off!

Dillingham looked back at her.

Give him the watch. he said.

She looked back and forth between them, fire in her eyes, but slid the watch off her wrist and handed it to Burton. He took it and dropped it in his pocket. Dillingham tapped him on the shoulder for emphasis.

If that watch is not returned to Ms. Barrington tomorrow afternoon, he hissed you will regret any of this ever happened.

The threat was not without merit. With the money these two commanded, Burton had no doubts they could manage his loss of business, loss of rental unit, loss of car... maybe even loss of existence. These were people not to be messed with.

But he had messed with them, and come out on top. Now, just get to the bank tomorrow, cash the check and return the watch. He would be money ahead, whatever the cost to repair the car, and no worst for the ware.

Some days just had smiles on them, if you knew how to work it.

CHAPTER TWO

The Bank

Burton entered the Ward Plaza branch of Bank of Hawaii at about nine thirty. A line of four customers stood waiting, but it was an extended holiday for most people, and the transactions would be small and quick.

Banking in America has some unusual rules and one applied here. The previous day had been a holiday and for most of the nation’s history financial institutions, and other businesses, would close for a four-day holiday encompassing Thanksgiving Thursday through Sunday.

When the great depression struck, banks feared runs on deposits and bolted their doors for days on end trying to prevent a wipeout. Congress had to do something and the result was legislation requiring every financial institution that dealt with the public to never close more than two days in succession. When Hawaii became the fiftieth state they were forced to comply, and that meant Lou got to cash his check the day after Thanksgiving.

The watch was still snug in the pocket of his jeans from the day before. He hadn't looked at it two carefully, but now that he was on line it seemed the thing to do. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his heavy gold security deposit.

At first glance, it just reeked of money, but as you looked closer the detail and refinements said much more. This was no ordinary wrist flaunting. It was exquisite in its finery. The details stunning and precise. The assembly perfect and lavished over like no modern timepiece could be. Even in his ignorance, Burton knew that this watch had to be quite old, and made for an empress or some other nobility. It was just to good to be anything less. He slid it back into his pocket, duly impressed.

The line moved up, and then it was Lou’s turn. A bright eyed twenty year old with beautiful hair and beautiful skin smiled up at him. The women of Hawaii had always been renowned for their looks, but with the advent of good diets, good dentistry and a passion