The Scorpion

By Ninos M. Piro

Marcus Pirelli was a man who found out that his work, as a bounty hunter didn't make a difference. Now as The Scorpion, he devotes his life to fighting crime and bringing evildoers to justice.

Meanwhile, there is a new serial killer in Ocean City who is targeting city officials, a street war involving three rival mobs that is tearing the city apart, and there are suspicions of corruption in the police department.

Can one man really change all that? With the help of his most trusted friends, a new aggressive district attorney, and his ability to track people down, The Scorpion provides the people of Ocean City with a new feeling optimism.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jan 18, 2006
• ISBN: 9780595825721

Ninos M. Piro

Ninos M. Piro is making his debut as an author. He has been a fan of comic books and crime novels all his life. Ninos loves watching movies and television crime dramas. He was born in Chicago, but has lived in Turlock, California for over twenty years.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Marcus Pirelli was riding his chopper through the streets of Ocean City, California on a warm August night. It had been a few days since he had been out of the house. It felt good to be out riding, in the evening, with the sun setting and his shoulder-length black hair blowing in the wind. After being shot several times in a gunfight with a bounty, he needed a few days to recover and stayed indoors. Marcus was 28 years old, six-foot-one, one hundred seventy-five pounds and had brown eyes. As a bounty hunter, Marcus knew the risks that came with the occupation. This was the first time he had been shot. He flipped his cell-phone open and made a call.

Hello, Steph, he started.

Hi, Marcus. Sweetie, how are you doing?

I’m good. I’ll be over in a bit.

Okay, I’ll be waiting. She replied.

See you soon. He said as he closed his phone.

He pulled up to the house of the one person who can always make the pain go away, his beloved Stephanie. It was around 8 p.m. and the house was dark. At first he assumed Stephanie wasn’t home, but then he saw the red Nissan Sentra parked in the driveway and she told him that she would be home. He called to the house with his phone, only to get a busy signal.

He parked the chopper and walked up to the door. Things didn’t seem right. Marcus heard a noise that seemed to come from the back of the house. He walked around the side and through the gate that led to the backyard. He approached the sliding glass door that led to the kitchen. Curiously, the door was open. He pulled out one of his two 45 caliber pistols and went inside. His heart sank when he went inside. Stephanie was sprawled out on the floor.

Steph!! He cried out frantically. There was no response. He picked her up in his arms. Stephanie? He yelled out again. His heart was sinking deeper and deeper. Oh, come on don’t do this to me! He expressed. As he checked for her pulse, he made a horrifying discovery. There were bruise marks all over her neck. The bruises were in the shape of someone’s hands. Then it hit him, he realized his worst fear. NO!!! He cried out as he hunched over the limp body of his beloved Stephanie.

He sat up in shock as he tried to come to terms with everything. He began to get dizzy and light-headed. He started to get an agonizing feeling throughout his body. He tried to pull himself together. After calling the paramedics, he called his good friend Harvey McSorley, an Ocean City detective, who helped Marcus out on bounties.

Harv… Marcus spoke in a low, somber voice. I need you to come by Stephanie’s house. After a long pause, he continued. Some son of a bitch killed her, He could hardly bring himself to say the words. Thanks.

As he stood up, he looked at her, realizing she would never be there to comfort him again. He would never again see her face light up the way it did whenever she saw him. He began to admire her beauty. She had beautiful straight brown hair down to her shoulders. She had a face that was flawless. He was on the brink of breaking down when he heard the paramedics arrive. He opened the door to let them in.

As the EMT’s began firing questions at him, he simply replied, Stephanie Wilkins, age 23, five-ten, one hundred-thirty pounds, brown hair, light brown eyes. As if reciting a person’s file, he continued, She was strangled to death by someone who broke into the house. The EMT’s continued talking to him, but all he could hear was their muffled voices. When the police arrived, he snapped out of his daze. They were a couple of uniform officers that responded to the call.

You’ll have to call the homicide detectives, he said blankly.

They’re on their way, sir, answered one of the officers.

Marcus Pirelli, he replied.

Mr. Pirelli, you wanna tell us what you saw?

Well, I arrived at the house when. Marcus stopped as he saw Harvey arrive.

Marcus, I’m so sorry, man. She was a great girl. Harvey expressed as they embraced. If there is anything I can do? Harvey added. Harvey was 33 years old and had been a detective for three years. He was about 6’0" and had short, black, slicked back hair. He was wearing a white short-sleeved, button-down shirt and black pants.

Thanks, Harv.

Did you see who it was? Harvey asked.

That’s the way I found her, but I heard something. That’s why I came around the back. Harvey answered.

So, she was your girlfriend? One policeman asked. Marcus just nodded.

We’re very sorry, Mr. Pirelli, expressed the other officer.

Is that your bike in front? The first policeman continued.

Yeah. Marcus replied. Just then, the detectives arrived at the house. Harvey recognized one of them.

McSorley, how you doin’?

Okay, considering. Marcus, detectives Hiedi Nichols and…

CCT · ‘-p "

Joaquin Torrez.

Harvey and I worked together before, said Detective Nichols. Detective Hiedi Nichols was about five-foot-five, with short brown hair and small eyes. She was wearing a red shirt and jeans. Detective Torrez was only a couple inches taller than Nichols. He had long brown hair just below his shoulders. He was wearing a beige colored sport coat with a burgundy dress shirt.

Why don’t you sit down and we can go over what happened. She suggested. Marcus took off his long, dark blue overcoat and hung it on the kitchen wall. The coat had a large, silver scorpion embroidered on the back.

That’s a great coat, commented Detective Torrez.

She made it for me. She was fascinated with scorpions. Marcus said as he stared at Stephanie’s body. He took a deep breath. I rode up to the house just after eight. The house was dark. I thought she wasn’t home, but I spoke to her about half an hour before and she said she would be home. Besides, I saw her car. He began to explain.

Parked in the driveway? Detective Nichols asked.

Yes. So, I called to the house on my phone, but the line was busy. he continued until he was finished. After about twenty minutes of questions, answers and information about Stephanie, the detectives explained that it could be a serial killer who had strangled four other young women. The detectives then expressed their sorrow for Marcus’ loss and left.

Harv, we’ve got to nail this guy, Marcus said sternly.

Damn, right. Harvey replied. Marcus knelt down next to Stephanie’s body. He took her right hand in his and kissed it. The EMT’s then took her body away.

Get a hold of the people we trust. There is no way in hell this person gets another one, Marcus said boldly as they were leaving the house. The two of them drove away.

While Marcus followed Harvey through the city, his mind was racing. He began to think about his life and his career as a bounty hunter. Feelings of guilt and worthlessness were coming over him. He started thinking that his work as a bounty hunter was not making a difference. When Marcus and Harvey arrived at the Municipal Arena parking lot, there were seven people waiting for them. They were people who had worked with Marcus many times. They were also his closest friends. One of them was his older sister Carmella. Carmella was about the same height as Marcus. She had long beautiful brown hair and brown eyes. She was two years older than Marcus. She was wearing a gray sweatshirt and jeans. Car-mella was also good friends with Stephanie. As she approached Marcus, he could tell she had been crying.

Marcus, I’m so sorry. She said as she hugged him.

Thanks, Carmella. He replied.

If there’s anything I can do. She told him.

Thanks, sis. One by one the others all offered their sympathies to Marcus. Before I start I want to thank all of you coming on such short notice and that you’re here because you are the only people I trust. Up until today, I wondered if what we did actually made a difference. Well, tonight, I know the answer. No, we don’t. That’s going to change. As of right now, I am devoting my life to stopping those who are evil and bringing them to justice. I will not let Stephanie’s death stand for nothing. I am starting with the bastard that killed her. I am asking for your help. If you are in, I need you to be in with all your dedication. It’s not going to be easy, by any means. So, if you don’t think you can handle it, you are free to leave. I understand no hard feelings. Marcus announced to everyone.

Look, mate, you helped all of us when no one else would. Personally, you saved my life. I’m in, said Clyde Tucker, a world champion kick boxer from Melbourne, who owned an auto shop. He had a shaved head, thin goatee, and a silver hoop earring on his left ear. He was wearing a white muscle shirt and black cargo pants.

Thanks, Tuck. Marcus replied.

So, this means we’re good guys, now? Asked Bill James, a former mob lynch man known as ‘Slim’ and close friend of Marcus. Bill had straight brown hair and a mustache.

This isn’t about notoriety or being rewarded for our deeds. It’s about making a difference, replied Marcus.

Vigilantes with a cause, I like the sound of that, replied Jefferson Thompson, an ex-car thief, in his high-pitched voice.

Think of us as your guardian angels, expressed Harvey. That brought a smile to Marcus’ face.

Well then, let’s go to work. Carmella, use your sources to get all the information you can on this guy’s other four victims. Marcus instructed.

Sure. Carmella obliged. Carmella was a reporter for a news agency in Ocean City.

Harv, talk to your people on The Force, see if they have any leads. Marcus continued. Harvey nodded in acknowledgement.

J.T. and Diego, get out on the streets and see what you can dig up on this serial killer. Diego Perez was a former gang member who had befriended Marcus. Marcus was influential in helping Diego turn his life around. Diego had long braded black hair and tattoos on his forearms. He had a bull on his right forearm and an angel on his left.

Right on, man. Jefferson replied.

Hey, Marcus, man, we need a place we can work. I mean somewhere we can think and plan and all that, suggested Isaiah Williams. Isaiah was a forensics expert with Ocean City Police Department. He was a little taller than Marcus with short hair. He also used to be a gold glove boxer who was still very lean and muscular.

How’s about my shop? Tuck recommended. Marcus nodded in agreement.

Mia, would you have trouble moving your equipment? He asked Mia Vieri, a former ‘cyber-pirate’. She used to hack into major corporations, steal their business secrets and sell them to the highest bidder. She had straight blonde hair down to her ears and blue eyes.

I don’t think so. She answered.

Excellent, I have to go back to my house to pick up a few things and I’ll meet you all at the shop. Thank you all, my guardian angels, Marcus expressed. Just as Marcus was talking, Isaiah’s cell-phone rang.

.I’ll be there shortly. Marcus, I just got the call, man. I’m on my way to the house. He told Marcus.

Can I meet you there? Marcus asked. He wanted to be there if Isaiah’s forensics team found anything.

Of course. I’ll probably be there alone. Isaiah informed.

Great, I’ll see you there, Marcus replied. With that, they all dispersed.

Marcus walked through his house towards the garage. The garage was where he trained and worked on his weapons. He had three large flags hung up in there. On the east wall, he had an Italian flag as a tribute to his father, Marcello. On the west wall, he had a Scottish flag as a tribute to his mother, Catherine. On the ceiling, he had a large American flag.

He walked up to the south wall where he hung his weapons and grabbed a black wooden baseball bat (his favorite). He then walked outside, got on his chopper and rode to Stephanie’s house.

When he arrived, Isaiah was already at the house and the rest of his forensics team had left.

Anything, yet? Marcus asked.

Well, a couple of things, answered Isaiah. First, whoever it was, he came from behind her when she was on the phone. He explained.

That’s why the line was busy, replied Marcus.

Yeah.

How do you know he came from behind?

You see these footprints on the wall? They’re pointed up which also means she tried to fight. Isaiah continued.

That’s my girl. Marcus commented softly. He pressed his lips together as he processed the information.

Have you checked the back? He asked.

Just the door, it’s been forced open with what looks like a crow-bar. Isaiah answered.

Well, I heard something when I was walking up to the house. He had to have left through the back. Marcus suggested. Were there any hairs or anything like that? He asked curiously.

Yeah. Isaiah held up an evidence bag that contained several hairs. Stephanie’s? He inquired.

Too short to be hers, suggested Marcus.

Well, I think we can get this guy. I’ll get these to the lab right away. Isaiah added.

Great, I’m gonna meet with the others.

I’m going to finish up here and head to the lab. I’ll let you know the second I know something.

Thanks, see you later, said marcus as he walked out the door. He got on his bike and rode away.

CHAPTER 2

On his way to ‘Tuck’s Body Shop’, Marcus began to reflect on all the great times he and Stephanie spent together. He remembered her fascination with scorpions. He pulled into the shop and a couple of the ‘Guardian Angels’ were present upstairs in the office area. Tuck owned an auto detailing and paint shop. To the left, there were several