Hammer II: Redirectribution

By Aversa and Salminen

Unfolding mystery! Compelling suspense! Hammer II (Redirectribution) is full of music, deception, Jersey Shore pirates and treasure. At times the story twists and turns at the flip of a page. Aversa and Salminen have long been perpetrators of tall-story-telling, this is no exception. Set within the fast-paced musical entertainment world emanating from the Chateau 54 located in central New Jersey, Hammer II (Redirectribution), brings together musicians, new friends and the McGrath syndrome. McGrath blames, Mudd and Mother, the heroic duo for his sister's demise, they do not concur. Could it be criminal, perhaps, outlandish, absolutely! An exciting, thrilling, over-the-top, bombastic saga. Read it! You will agree

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 15, 2018
• ISBN: 9781543943757

Book preview

Transmission

Prelude

The Future Past

What’s with you? Solly asks.

McGrath!

What about him?

Where is he? What’s he up to? When will he be caught? Will Mudd and I get to enjoy the next twenty, thirty years?"

Tough questions, Solly tells him. He’s not long for this world. We’ll find him soon.

At the moment Solly doesn’t realize how prophetic his nonchalant blusters were.

How soon?

Wish I could tell you, Solly answers. If the two of you follow the suggestions Tagert and I have set up for you all should go well until we nab him.

Is that FBI talk?

No! It’s Solly talk.

Look at Mudd, he must be dreaming about Henrietta.

How can you tell?

He looks to be in pain.

Solly has a hearty laugh as he catches 40 winks. Mother drifts into a light sleep. He feels every bump and shake of the plane. As the pilot announces the approaching landing all three open their eyes. Muddy wants to talk to Mother but will wait until they land.

With their electronic devices in hand they exit the plane heading directly to a quick change of aircraft for the final leg of their seemingly endless journey. Mudd finally gets Mothers ear. As they walk through the terminal in San Francisco he starts an endless rant.

I dreamt of the treasure. There are oodles of it at the chateau. I was throwing chump change all over the place.

Mudd’s demeanor suddenly changes as he starts talking about McGrath or whatever he calls himself. In an instant he switches the ramble to Poland. Mudd feels he is related to Paul Band. Mother tells him, too bad. Mudd is not bothered by the comment and continues.  Solly is going back to the old neighborhood. He wants to settle in the old apartment building where he used to live and write a book. Mother gives Mudd the bland stare. Muddy looks but continues. Mother thinks he must still be asleep. Mudd starts another rant as he remembers Seaside Heights, New Jersey and the Parrot Club, Beachcomber, Chatterbox along with the Knockouts who went on to some fame with Darling Lorraine on the SHAD record label. He babbles about the Fendermen of Muleskinner Blues fame; they recorded for the SOMA label. Finally, he shouts out; the Green Men who colored their hair green back in the early 60’s.

Without hesitation he changes the subject. The shows are almost over we only have one left. Then I can rest for at least one year maybe more. I have lost my wanderlust. Muddy starts to clap his hands. He stops abruptly; turns to Mother and tells him they will buy seven islands. You can have the first three I’ll take the other four. I’ll give Henrietta one of the large islands.

Mudd is quiet as they continue their walk thru the terminal. As Solly and Mother turn into the waiting area Mudd continues to walk straight. Mother notices and grabs his arm turning him to the right. They board and ready for the flight to New Jersey. They seat themselves and buckle up as Mother turns to Mudd and asks, what’re you dreaming about?

Solly leans over so he can hear the conversation. Mudd puts up two fingers.

The victory sign? Solly asks.

No, replies Mudd. There are two.

Mudd falls into a deep sleep as the plane rumbles down the runway.

What’s with Mudd? Solly asks.

He’s in a state of somniloquence; his blather is completely inane.

In a state of what? Solly asks.

He’s talking in his sleep.

Asleep or awake, there’s no perception in his babblings, says Solly.

"Mudd must have had one of his moments. He calls them his view of the Future Past."

"Pray tell, what means future past?"

As Solly turns to get himself comfortable Mudd startles him and Mother as he stretches and calmly asks. Are we there yet?

Solly looks at Mother with a quizzical stare and mutters. What just happened?

I think the Muddman is back with the living.

Good, says Solly. Now I can get some sleep.

You may not want to sleep when you hear what I know that you and Mother don’t know.

Mudd starts to unravel a tale, which will take most of the trip to spawn. He starts by telling them about the logbook Joey Dipp V loaned him a few weeks ago. Mudd has been reading from the book, a little every day. While in Hawaii he finished. Now he wants Solly and Mother to hear what he’s found in the pages of a most interesting book about the late great Smoking’ Joey Dipp.

Mudd gets comfortable as he beckons Solly and Mother to come closer. They move in as if in a hypnotic trance. Looking at each other they shrug their shoulders in a conciliatory gesture and await the rants of a man with a mild case of monophobia. Mudd starts the story with ambiguity.

Wait, says Solly. Start at the beginning we might misconstrue the facts if we don’t know the time and place.

You’re right Solly; I’ll back up and set the stage as I should have done.

It was the year 1723 on the banks of the Mullica River just off the Southern New Jersey coast. Apple Jack LaFong was at the helm of his ship, the Armida when be beckoned Smokin’ Joey Dipp; the young man he recently acquired. There was a hint of dissension in the mind of LaFong. The crew had been acting strange. The mutineers had apprised his man in the crew, Joey Dipp. They were going to take over the ship when they set sail. The leaders of the problem at hand were the latest hires of LaFong. He had misread their intentions. Joey Dipp had been hired as a crew-spy. A term LaFong thought was appropriate for such a mission. This was the first time he was thrown into the fray of an actual revolt. He pointed to the horizon while nodding his head affirmatively making like the captain was asking him about the weather. Dipp quickly made his way back to the crew. He told them the captain was setting sail when the sun starts to set and the tide is up.

LaFong leveraged himself as he walked down the plank to the edge of the river. He told the crew to ready the ship. He would be back shortly with the profits from the flea market sales. The men talked for a few minutes as the two renegades gave last minute instructions. The crew was ready to take over the ship when the captain returned. LaFong disappeared from view. He would later explain to Joey Dipp he had half a dozen able bodied men ready to squelch the insurrection. Three of the men boarded the ship with Captain LaFong while the other three made a stealthy swim to the ship entering through a porthole left open by LaFong. They followed directions to where the troublemakers would be found; they were ready to order the demise of LaFong. As if by magic the two mutinous leaders were extirpated, never to be heard from again. When LaFong received the all is well signal he thanked the three men guarding him as he handed them a bag full of gold coin. He told the crew their share of the flea market sales would be forthcoming. Captain Jack never once let on he knew about the hapless plot.

Mudd continued after telling Mother and Solly there was more to the mutiny saga but they could read it themselves as he wanted to move on to what he called the meat of the story.

Smokin’ Joey Dipp was a hero of the Revolutionary War, Muddy told his listeners. Solly and Mother gave him their unbridled attention as he continued. He not only helped LaFong quell three attempted takeovers by other unscrupulous privateers but when Apple Jack was badly wounded Joey Dipp took charge of the ship, winning the battle and receiving loud cheers from the crew. The British ship sank into the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. LaFong lived for three more years but was only a figurehead as Smokin’ Joey Dipp was the actual captain.

When LaFong passed Joey became a conscionable privateer and as honest as he could be and still make money. The flea market by the Mullica River had spread like wildfire with Joey Dipp being the mastermind behind the franchise. He provided items to sell as he received a neat profit from each of his 35 flea markets.

Somewhere around 1775 or 1776 a brutal storm occurred on the Jersey coast. From the records, which had been kept through the years, it was unanimous, this was the largest, most devastating and earth changing storm ever to hit the area. Ever!

Mudd adds he has been to the library and found all this to be true. Many historical records uphold Dipp’s tale of devastation. One of the most horrendous and unbelievable effects of the storm was the destruction and disappearance of the Cursed River. We now can know how the treasure of all the pirates was amassed at the end of the river never to be found. Most of the pirates were dead and the remaining few didn’t know anything about the location of the vast treasure trove. They tended to believe stories created by perfidious scoundrels to throw hunters of untold wealth off the trail.

LaFong, according to Joey Dipp’s log, told him exactly where the treasure was buried. He swore Dipp to the secret as well as telling him to leave clues for generations to come. Joey would do as he was told. Joey didn’t need the money so he left the secret buried in the many maps and tales he wrote on the pages of his logs. He coded them in different ways giving a little information in each writing. Probably why it took so long for anyone to really see the details until Joey Dipp V.

After the Revolutionary War ended he received land grants for service above and beyond the call of duty. General Washington presented this to him. He especially thanked Joey for the many Durum boats shipped out to make crossing the Delaware River possible.

Mother, says Mudd. "Smokin’ Joey Dipp reminds me of you."

In what way? Solly asks.

Mudd continues his tale. Joey was always one step ahead of everybody. He had built a catapult on the forward part of the ship. When he chased down a foe he would follow at a distance, ready the catapult and heave fire on the ship before it could get its cannons aimed at the Armida. He made a listening device out of a metal cone. He would put it against an adjoining wall and listen to what the crew was talking about. This had helped him stop many uprisings on the Armida. He noticed people who were hard of hearing used a cone like device to help them as they listened. Other gadgets he invented were in use for many years.

What does this have to do with Mother? Solly asks.

Well Mother was an innovative guy, Mudd tells him. Remember when he had a radio on his bicycle back in 1953 and a 45 multi-record player in his car back in 1958? He was ahead of his time too.

My brother used to tell me about the things Mother did when I was a kid, says Solly.

Should I go on?

Go on, Mother says.

At the beginning of the Revolutionary War the British, at the time, were not following any rules of war. They would burn down complete towns as they killed all the men, women and children. This was one of the times Smokin’ Joey Dipp proved his resolve. As Dipp was about to leave the flea market on the Mullica River people came running toward the ship. He was getting in the rowboat but stopped and asked if he could help. They had escaped the massacre of most of the townsfolk in Chestnut Neck. Most were escaping to the northwest as the British left. They eventually established the town of Wrangleboro, which later became Port Republic of today.

It was at this time Smokin’ Joey Dipp hoisted the sails of the Armida following the three British ships as they headed north. He used the fire-throwing catapult to destroy one of the ships and disable the second. The men of the Armida fought and won the battle with the second ship. The third ship escaped as quickly as it could. This was one of many battles the Armida fought during the war. Smokin’ Joey Dipp became a folk hero as the story spread. It was one amongst many sagas told about his exploits, some true, some not.

One

Mudd Flies the Coop

Mudd was finally quiet. All had gone well. This last leg would get M&M (Mudd and Mother) home and ready for the two huge projects awaiting them. The dig for the bell was important but so were the recording sessions Mother had planned for the next two months. PRS would be recording five tracks. Sky’s project was larger. Sparkle would be working on as many as twelve tracks. The songs had been written. Duke had arranged most. They were ready for the studio. As soon as the musicians could be hired they would start. The dig for the bell would be a project unto itself. A large load, a full plate but Mother and Mudd were excited about the upcoming happenings. Solly was somewhat apprehensive, he wanted to have a one on one or a two on one with Mudd and Mother. He wanted to clear the air and let them know he was on their side even if he felt he was being jilted out of a book-writing career concerning the LaFong treasure.

When the plane arrived at Newark Airport they found the air hot and muggy just the way Mudd liked it. He had entertained Solly and Mother with stories of Smokin’ Joey Dipp, making the flight fly by. Departing the plane Mudd knelt and kissed the ground as he said. I’m back in New Jersey the land of the free, the home of the brave. My state.

Are you talking about the United States? Mother asked.

The United State of New Jersey, he told all who would listen.

So, you like New Jersey? Solly asked.

Born and raised here and yes I like New Jersey.

They were all glad to be home. The harrowing experience in Japan was over. No one was hurt in any way although the mental anguish still lingered. M&M were more edgy then usual. Solly noticed and wondered if it was the plan. Maybe McGrath was trying to make them miserable and then swoop down on them at an un-expectant moment and finish them. Solly felt a cold shiver go up his back. He would run his theory by Tagert Lund as soon as he was able. Solly’s phone rang. It was Tagert. He and Nilsson were at the chateau. Solly told them he would arrive in a short hour. Some of the angst left Solly.

When the limo arrived at the chateau Mudd was the first to exit.

Heading for my suite, he told everyone.

No one paid much attention. Mudd however was excited. He had set up a short weekend with Henrietta in Atlantic City. She had asked for Friday and Saturday off. Added to Sunday and Monday her and Mudd would have a nice four-day holiday. Mudd called her to see if all was set. Had someone been in the room with him the large smile would have told them all was ready. Mudd quietly went out the side door with his pre-packed overnight bag, got in his car, picked up Henrietta and headed to AC.

Mother as usual was meticulous about unpacking and hanging his clothes just so. He wanted to call Duke and see how far he had come with his arranging but first he decided to call Anthony. The news was exciting. Joey Dipp and Anthony had worked each day; they finally realized where the bell resided. They would get together for a late lunch and decide what the next steps would be. Mother tried to call Mudd but there was no answer. He figured Mudd was in the shower. He forgot about Mudd for the next few hours as he sat in his office and made calls to Duke and Noodles. Mother wanted to get a schedule in his mind for the following week. The two projects would be arduous but workable if he scheduled correctly.

Duke had all the songs arranged but had a few questions about some key changes. He noted various ideas while he arranged. They would meet Monday afternoon and ready the songs.

Noodles was busy but told Mother he will be talking to Solly later and would give him the information he needed. Mother felt at ease after the calls as things were going along smoothly. He called Mudd but no answer. He went by Muddy’s suite and knocked, no answer. He checked the cafe. No Mudd. He was getting a little worried. He looked for Solly. He found him.

Solly, Mother yelled across the lobby. Have you seen Mudd?

No.

I can’t find him, Mother worriedly said.

I wasn’t supposed to tell you but what the hey.

Solly explained, Mudd and Henrietta had taken a short break from the cares of the day. He didn’t want to tell you because, well because you always seem to make jokes when he goes out with the larger size women he likes.

I make jokes?

Yes, you make jokes.

Did he say when he was coming back? Mother asked.

Monday evening, unless they decide to head to Mexico and get married.

Mexico! Married! What’s going on?

Sorry, I added the Mexico and married part, A laughing Solly says. Kind of a joke as you would say.

I get it, I get it you don’t have to rub it in, Mother says. I still think he could have told me.

Maybe.

Are you having lunch? Mother asks as he forgets about Mudd for the next few days.

Let’s go.

The Muddman had temporally flown the coop.

Two

Double Trouble

Lunch was good. Mother hadn’t had his regular Swedish pancakes for over a week. Solly looked full as well as they got up and left. They had missed the good food served right under their noses. It made them realize there is no place like home. Solly tried to tap his heels together but was unable. Mother noticed and told him. Do you tap your heels when you want to go home?

If that was the case I’d never get home. Solly concluded.

I guess we’ll wait for Mudd to get back before we have the meeting you wanted, Mother says.

Yeah, says Solly.

Tagert Lund spots Solly and gets his attention. Solly walks over says a few words and waves for Mother to come over. Tagert wants to have a sit down with Solly and give him all the information he has accumulated about McGrath.

You want to join us, Mother? Solly asks.

Don’t mind if I do.

They head to Tagert’s suite where Herkko Nilsson is busy sorting paper. They greet and meet. Tagert has much information. The crew working the Canadian exit into the US in the North Dakota area had come up with a scenario, which has McGrath entering the states in North Dakota. Why he chose the Dakota area