Legend of the Blood Moon: The Warrior Cometh

By S M

Patriotism, courage, and family. Eleven brave young men are sent to Vietnam to rescue POWs.
This is a fiction book based on true events during the Vietnam War. I was an active participant during this time and witnessed many of the events depicted within this story.
This story will take you back to a time when America was the beacon of hope in a world full of turmoil.
SM

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Nov 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781684186167

Book preview

Moon."

Part One: It Was An Age Of Innocence

CHAPTER 1

A child once asked an old man this question. Sir, what is the definition of life? The old man pondered the question under a wrinkled brow. Suddenly, he chuckled and responded this way: Son, life is that mischievous devil that interferes with all our carefully laid plans for success.

June 20, 1973

The piercing sound of the phone ringing jolted Janet Bauman from a deep sleep. She glanced at the clock beside her bed. Eleven o’clock, who the hell is calling me this late, she said out loud. Angrily she jerked the phone from the receiver. Before she could yell her displeasure, she was stopped by a gruff voice, one she instantly recognized as her editor and boss, Bill Cardill.

Bauman, get your ass out of bed; all hell has broken out in Toronto. The Police have raided the largest illegal drug warehouse on the east coast. Seven people were killed in a massive shoot out with the police, and a Toronto cop was shot. Janet's heart stopped. It wasn’t Scallatini was it, she screamed at her boss. No, it was Prosser, shot in the shoulder. Janet sighed with relief, so loudly that Cardill remarked, Bauman are you all right? I’m fine, she said, realizing at that moment, she was in love with the Toronto Police Captain.

She was jerked back into the moment by Cardill, who was yelling, Bauman, are you listening to me? I’m listening boss, she said. I want you to go to City Hall in Toronto; the Mayor is holding a press conference in an hour. I'm on it, bye.

Janet jumped out of bed, threw on her 501 jeans, a black tee shirt and tennis shoes. Standing five foot eight, lean and athletic, she glanced in the mirror, happy with the reflection. Janet brushed her teeth, and then brushed her waist-length black hair. She grabbed her notebook and her car keys and then stepped into the night. She walked across the dark back yard, to her new 1974 Datsun 240Z, then stopped suddenly and stared.

Poised eerily above her car was a sight she hadn’t seen since 1964. It was the Blood Moon, a total lunar eclipse. A luminous red glow enveloped her car. She looked down at her hands and was amazed to see they were glowing a deep red. It was surreal. There was something very magical about this experience. An omen of doom perhaps, or maybe of good things to come, she thought.

A strange feeling came over her. This night would change her life forever; she just knew it; she felt it in her bones.

The emerald green 240Z zig-zagged through the empty streets of Steubenville, Ohio until she merged onto the northbound lanes of Route 7. She was enroute to Toronto, Ohio eight miles north, along with the Ohio River.

The intoxicating fragrance of jasmine and lilac bushes filled the sports car as she sped northbound, the Ohio River on her right side, the steep rolling hills of northeast Ohio on her left.

Exiting the Franklin St. ramp in Toronto, she noticed an unusually large amount of traffic on the road, for this late hour. She weaved her way through the side streets of this small community, and saw several groups of people along the way, standing in front yards, engaged in animated conversations. News travels fast in this blue-collar town of ten thousand, she thought.

Janet turned northbound on 5th St. and soon the one-hundred-year-old brick school building came into view. This old school was now the City Hall and Police Dept.

She was shocked at a large number of vehicles parked every which way in the parking lot. In addition to the three Toronto Police cars, she saw Police Cruisers from the Sheriff’s Dept., Wintersville P.D., Steubenville P.D., Mingo P.D., the Ohio State Patrol, and the DEA.

Janet couldn’t recall seeing this much activity at City Hall since the State Championship football game in 1964. She parked on 5th St., grabbed her notebook and started up the steep incline to the towering old school building. This magnificent structure was an icon of the past, overlooking this small community nestled on the Ohio River. This building represented the stability of America, in an age long gone.

Janet was unprepared for what she saw, as she opened the heavy steel door of City Hall. At least a hundred people were milling about in small groups. The door to the Mayor's Office, located on the right, and the Police Dept., located on the left were wide open, which was very unusual.

People were hurriedly walking in and out of offices, arms waving frantically, some laughing, and some with stern looks on their faces. Looking further down the hallway, passed all the marble floors and ornate mahogany trim on the doors, Janet saw her old friend, Roofy Turuli, the City Auditor.

Roofy was standing in front of his office, engaged in an animated conversation with several people. Roofy was dominating the conversation as usual, his huge belly shaking as he laughed with his cronies. Janet smiled to herself as she watched this humorous display, which oddly relieved the tension she was feeling.

Roofy saw Janet standing in the hallway. Hey sweetheart, he yelled above the din of the crowd, come and give your daddy a hug. Janet made her way through the different groups to Roofy and gave him a big hug. There was a strong odor of beer on Roofy's breath. Janet giggled, Roofy, you are hammered. What do you expect, he said, They drug me out of the American Legion bar for this circus.

What the hell is going on? She asked. Belching out loud, Roofy said all I know is this; Thornton and Prosser uncovered a massive drug operation at the Kaul Clay property, which is being run by the white trash family of Ira Lafont. They raided the place tonight and got into a big shootout. A bunch of people was killed, and Prosser was shot. Is he going to be OK? She asked. That cock hound, he said, he's too much of a horn dog to get killed, and yeah he'll be ok.

Where is Scalatini? She asked, scanning the crowd. The last time I saw him, he was dealing with several knuckleheads back in the jail area. They have about thirty guys stuffed into three cells. It’s a fucking mess.

Janet looked down the long narrow hallway, which led to the holding cells. The hall was filled with cops from various agencies. They were laughing and slapping each other on the back, warriors, victorious in battle. They were happy to be alive and proud of their conquest. Through the crowd of cops, Janet saw the back of a shorter cop, and immediately recognized the profile of her friend, Captain Bill Scalatini, whom she intermittently called Butch or Scal.

Cupping her hands around her mouth, Janet yelled, Hey Scal. He turned instantly at the sound of her voice, scanning the crowd until he locked gazes with her. An ornery smile came over his face, as he made his way through the crowd to Janet’s location. Janet hugged him instinctively, happy that he was unhurt. Caught off guard, Scal said, Damn, I’ll have to get into shootouts more often.

Someone in the crowd yelled, the press conference is about to start, everyone come inside the Mayor's Office. Shit, she said. Look, Butch, I have to go to this press conference, but I want to meet you afterward, and get the real scoop. You got a date missy, Scal said, I'll be looking for you.

Janet made her way through the crowd, into the cavernous Mayor's Office, and took a seat with the other reporters. There was a feeling of excitement in the air. She looked around at the cast of characters filling the office. Suddenly the Mayor walked in, a striking man in his sixties. Standing six foot six, Mayor Andy Blaner was lean and mean, with a flat top haircut, and a no-nonsense air about him. Blaner was the quintessential poster child for the World War Two soldier; a self-made man, extremely patriotic, and a man who didn’t take shit from no one.

A hush came over the courtroom as the Mayor prepared to speak. Good evening folks. Today, the Toronto Police Dept., in an operation led by Reserve Officer Rhett Thornton, raided the largest illegal drug distribution operation on the east coast. Our Police were aided by numerous surrounding Police Agencies.

During the take down, at the abandoned complex of buildings at Kaul Clay, a shootout occurred. Seven suspects were killed, four suspects were wounded, and thirty-eight suspects were arrested. Five tons of marijuana, one hundred pounds of cocaine, and fifty pounds of black tar heroin, in addition to LSD, Quaaludes and various other pills were seized. One Toronto Police Officer, Tom Prosser, was grazed in the shoulder by a bullet, but will be ok. Two million dollars in cash was also seized.

This operation was run by Ira Lafont, a Toronto resident, and his family. Ira Lafont purchased this property two years ago. I just want to say how proud I am of our Police Dept. and all the Police Agencies assisting in this very dangerous operation.

The FBI as well as the DEA was called in, to investigate the interstate transportation of drugs. Officers from the Pomona California Police Dept. followed the shipment of drugs all the way from California, and should be commended for their extraordinary effort.

I am now going to turn this press conference over to Captain Butch Scalatini, who will answer your questions about the raid, and the subsequent investigation. All eyes turned toward the door as Scal walked in. The entire room erupted with applause and cheers, as he made his way to the podium. Scal looked at Janet and winked.

Scalatini was the hometown hero. All-star quarterback for the Toronto Red Knights, he led the team to the State Championship in 1964. A decorated Vietnam war veteran and now Captain of the local Police Dept., Scal was short in stature, only five foot six, with a thin build, and did not particularly look the part of a hero. However, to those who knew him, there was no one better.

Janet met Scal on the night of the State Championship game in 1964, when she was a cub reporter for the Wheeling Intelligencer Newspaper. She was thrilled with her first major assignment, and eagerly covered the game for the paper. She had a vague memory of Scal flirting shamelessly with her at the game.

She didn’t see Scal for the next three years, while he was away in Vietnam. They became reacquainted when she was assigned to cover the activity at the Toronto Police Dept., and he was just a rookie officer. They became friends, and in time she came to trust him implicitly. Although both were involved in romantic relationships with other people, they became very close over the years. There was a mutual attraction between these two, and they continued to flirt shamelessly.

Pop Herdman, the editor and chief of the local newspaper, the Toronto Tribune, stood up and asked the first question. Captain, how did this investigation come about? Well pop, Scal said, Officer Tom Prosser arrested a juvenile for possession of marijuana about six weeks ago. The kid rolled over on his pusher. Prosser then involved Reserve Officer Rhett Thornton in the investigation.

At the mention of Rhett Thornton, the crowd burst into excited chatter. If Scal was considered a hero by the locals, then Rhett Thornton was regarded as a God. Thornton not only won several medals in Vietnam, but he was also the most sought-after high school football player in the nation in 1964 and was considered by many as the greatest High School football player of all time. Rhett Thornton was one of a kind. People said, God broke the mold after he created Rhett.

Scal continued. Thornton and Prosser arrested the pusher, who in turn rolled over on his supplier. Thornton acquired an airplane, and he and Prosser conducted aerial surveillance of the main players over several weeks, building the case, and tracing the source to the Ira Lafont organization.

Information was obtained which implicated a truck company in Pomona California. With the assistance of the Pomona Police Dept., a large shipment of drugs was seen being delivered to the truck company. Sgt. Sal Columbo and his dope team followed the truck from California to Toronto, and the takedown occurred today.

Toot Wilson, gas station owner, and part-time reporter for Pop Herdman asked, Where is Thornton now? He left about an hour ago; he had some personal business to attend to. The questions continued for the next half hour. Finally, the press conference ended. The crowd filtered out of the Mayor's office, and Janet made her way to the podium.

Let’s get out of here for a while, Scal said, we have a lot to talk about. I agree, Janet said, where do you want to go? Meet me at the Memorial Park swimming pool on Jefferson St. in a half hour. I will be sitting on a bench at the top of the hill, behind the city swimming pool. It's quiet there, and we won’t be interrupted. You have a date mister, see you there.

The Toronto Memorial Park was built after World War Two, in 1946, and dedicated to all the residents of Toronto, who lost their lives fighting for America.

A large bronze plaque, with the names of the dead heroes etched in bold type, was mounted to the base of a fifty-foot flag pole, at the entrance to the park on Jefferson St.

A large swimming pool patterned after the Coliseum in Rome, stood fifteen feet high and a hundred fifty feet long. The oval structure was built with bricks forged at the Kaul Clay factory in Toronto. The swimming pool was nestled in the center of the oval, and a large hallway circled the interior, which housed the dressing rooms, offices, and concession stands.

Leaving City Hall, Janet drove two miles to the park, through the old neighborhoods of Toronto. Victorian homes sat on both sides of the tree-lined streets. Passing St. Francis Catholic Church on Findlay St., she turned right onto Jefferson St. Memorial Park came into view. She saw the American flag blowing proudly in the breeze.

Janet drove around the right side of the pool area and parked next to a chain link fence. She exited her car, and her senses were overwhelmed by the thick, delicious smells of the warm summer night. Jasmine, Honeysuckle, and Violets rushed by the breeze, caressed her face. The leaves of the tall Maple, Cypress, and Oak trees rustled in the wind. Flowers in bloom were everywhere. The ambiance was seductive and inviting. She felt alive. She felt like a woman. She closed her eyes and breathed in the smells of the night, savoring the moment.

Janet could still see the glow of the Blood Moon, through the rustling leaves of the trees. The warm radiant light cast a magical spell on the night, and her heart suddenly raced with excitement.

She could see a shadowy figure sitting on a park bench, on top of the hill, behind the swimming pool. She recognized the silhouette as Butch Scalatini. She slowly climbed the metal stairs to the top of the hill, and noted Scal was constantly watching her.

She smiled and said, Hello stranger, you certainly picked the perfect place to meet. This park is beautiful. Scal stood and extended his hands. She instinctively reached out and took both of his hands. They stared at each other without talking, just smiling, both content in the moment, and happy to be together finally.

Scal pulled Janet to him and kissed her tenderly on the lips. She held him tight; giving away her heart and soul to this man she had known only as a friend till now. They separated after a long embrace and looked into each other’s eyes. Well, how about that, she said. Yeah, how about that, he replied.

Scal led her to a bench, and they sat side by side, drinking in the beauty of the night, quiet in the moment. Looking into the distance, she said, When my boss called me tonight to cover this story, he said a Toronto cop had been shot. My heart stopped, I thought it was you. When he said it was Prosser, I almost fainted with relief. I knew at that moment I was in love with you.

Scal smiled, taking in all that Janet said, then said reflectively, I knew a couple of months ago I was falling in love with you. I would be out with my girlfriend, and all I could think about was you, however, I knew you had a boyfriend, and I didn’t think I had a chance.

Humph, she muttered, nodding her head in agreement, absorbing all he said. Suddenly she turned and looked at him. Are you in? she asked. I’m definitely in, he said, bursting out laughing. She started laughing too, and they held each other till they were in tears.

They held each other for a while, experiencing feelings of fulfillment and contentment that neither had known before. You know, Janet said, there is a big, big story here, and it’s not just the drug raid. I’ve noticed all this activity in town since Thornton came home two months ago. This town, this Police Dept., and the whole community have come back to life since his return.

Butch, there is so much of this story that I don’t know. I want to know the whole thing, and you are the only one who was there from beginning to end. Scal stared at the trees blowing in the wind. He sat silent for a minute. Wow, it just hit me, he said, not only did Thornton save my life several times over in Vietnam; he set the stage for us to be together as well. He brought pride back to our Police Dept. and hope to the community.

You know Janet, as I think about the cast of characters in this story; most of them were here tonight. The cops, all former Red Knights and members of our championship team in 64, plus the bad guys; the Lafont family, the unforeseen hero Bill Jako, and Melissa Krause. Your brother Chance Bauman played an enormous role in this story and of course the main character, Rhett Thornton.

I'll tell you the story, but to do it justice will take all night. There are blank spots that only you can fill in Janet. I got nothing but time, Scal.

CHAPTER 2

Well, I guess it all started the day of our homecoming dance and State Championship game in 1964, Friday, December 18th. Oh, my God, Scal said stunned, that was the night of the Blood Moon, just like tonight. Way too much of a coincidence; I’m starting to believe all this Indian voodoo shit.

Question, Janet asked, Who is Melissa Krause? Well, based on the events of the last month, I would say she is the love of Rhett Thornton's life. Pausing, and looking at the stars, Scal said reflectively, it all makes sense now.

Continuing, Scal said, On that Friday morning, in December 1964, Melissa Krause woke up abruptly. She sat up in bed and brushed her long blond hair out of her sleepy eyes. For you see, Melissa was nine years old, and her hair had never been cut, and reached almost to her waist.

It's homecoming day, she said aloud. She looked at