Blazing Vengeance

By Ken Filing

The book opens with a young boy waking up to a smoke-filled room. He arouses his father, who quickly vacates the burning house with his wife and two children. The family of five that resided on the other side of the duplex house perishes in the ghastly inferno. The fire is caused by arson, which is covered up by local authorities. The main character in the book, Michel Gianini, works with a special task force, headed up by a famous safety director, to uncover a corrupt police force and notorious crime ring in his town. The mob puts out a contract with a heartless hit man to kill Gianini who escapes through help from his wife. The book follows an undercover sting that reveals the connection between the capo of the local crime ring and a depraved police lieutenant who was instrumental in the arson.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Jul 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781490708492

Ken Filing

Ken Filing is a retired entrepreneur who enlisted in the navy at age seventeen and served during the Korean War earning the Korean Service Medal with three battle stars. He and his wife Teddy have traveled the world, some of which was on their own boat. They have visited many islands and sailed forested rivers. Now after retirement, they enjoy winters in their Florida condo where Ken spends his time writing novels. Currently this is his sixth published adventure novel. Ken has also documented many of his sailing adventures that remain unpublished and are enjoyed by family and friends. This novel is based on true historical facts of lost tribes and Amazon women in the Amazon Basin.

Book preview

Prologue

2:30 AM December 23, 1936

D addy… . Daddy… . wake up… wake up… I smell smoke called the little five year old boy, coughing violently as he tried to arouse his sleeping father.

Daddy, daddy… . it’s all smoky he choked out as tears streamed from his eyes.

OH MY GOD. THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE screamed the suddenly aroused, panicky, young father, coughing and blinded by the thick smoke.

Michel grabbed up his young son, Dante, and leaped from the bed with the boy cradled in his arms.

We gotta wake up mommy and Maria the young father said as he stumbled to find his way out of the unfamiliar bedroom.

Dammit oh dammit, I’m in the closet. Where the hell’s the door?

Michel was confused. He had been sleeping with Dante because little Maria was sick and in bed with Stefania, in their bedroom, at the front of the house.

Michel’s eyes were burning from the thick smoke. Tears were streaming down, making him almost blind. He finally found the open doorway into the hall of the second story of a three story duplex and with Dante tucked under one arm he stumbled in the smokey darkness, as he ran down the hall towards the front bedroom.

As he ran, he hoarsely called to his wife, in a raspy voice, STEFFY, STEFFY, WAKE UP THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE.

As he reached the door of the smoke filled front bedroom, a coughing young woman holding a crying little 3 year old girl called in a panic stricken voice Mikey, what’s happening? Where are you Mikey? It’s so smoky!

I’m here. I’m right here. Grab Maria, we’ve got to get out.

The young couple, carrying their two children blindly felt their way down the hall to the stairway leading to the first floor.

Mikey, what about Alfonso and Gina? They’re sleeping up on the third floor.

Oh my God, I forgot about them. Here’s the door. I’ll call up to them but we’ve got to get the kids out.

AL… . GINA… WAKE UP… . THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE.

Michel stopped and listened. He heard footsteps running from above and a voice calling WE’RE COMING, WE’RE COMING

He turned to Stefania and said Hurry up, hurry up, the smoke is getting worse. We gotta get the kids out.

They cautiously felt their way down the dense smoke filled stairs. The smoke wasn’t as thick at the foot of the stairs and they were able to find their way through the kitchen and out the back door. It was dark and freezing and all they had on was their night clothes.

Quick, let’s go into Aunt Rose’s house. It’s freezing out here Michel said.

Mikey, Mikey came a call from the driveway. Are you guys okay?

Yeah, Nico help me get Stefania and the kids in the house. I heard screaming and yelling from the other side of the house. Have you seen any of the Edward family from next door? I think most of the fire is over there. We had a lot of smoke upstairs on our side and there was some flame creeping into our bathroom… . Oh that smoke was so thick… . The screams were coming from bathroom next door. Oh God… . it sounded like the kids… . It was horrible.

Mikey, you guys and the kids okay? called a panting young Mario who was running from the street I turned in the fire alarm down on Taylor Street. The fire trucks should be here soon.

A chubby, older lady in her night gown ran out of the house next door, screaming Steffy, get those kids in here before they freeze. Oh God. This is awful. Mikey can you do something? Here take these pants. Put them on, hurry, I hear those kids screaming over there. Do something. Help them.

I’ll try Aunt Rose. Nico grab the ladder in the garage while I put some pants on. ordered Michel.

Nico and Mario ran to the garage and grabbed a ladder. They rushed to the back of the burning house and stood the ladder up to reach the sun porch over the rear utility room.

Michel ran to the ladder while buttoning his pants. He was dressed only in an under shirt but didn’t feel the bitter cold because of all the adrenalin pumping through his young athletic body. He pushed his young brother and cousin aside and quickly scaled the ladder.

When he reached the top he could feel the heat coming from a partly open door. He tried to push the door open further but there was something on the other side jamming it stuck where it was.

Now the screams were from only one young female voice but he could here loud groans and moans from a man’s deeper voice.

Michel called out "GEORGE… GEORGE… . CAN YOU HEAR ME… . HELP ME GET IN.

Michel couldn’t wait any longer. He used his elbow and broke the glass in the adjacent window. The searing flames leaped out in a volcanic burst and drove him staggering back. He was stunned and fell to one knee, ducking to get under the roaring inferno.

My God, I can’t even get close. He said with tears streaming down his face. The tears weren’t only from the smoke but the anguish of knowing that the whole family was on the other side of that roaring, superheated air.

As he slowly retreated in a dazed stupor, he was grabbed under the arms by two burly firemen.

You can’t do any more here son. Come on down and let our guys put some water up here. It doesn’t look good for those folks.

Before they could even get clear of the sun porch the fire hoses started pouring water into the open window and on the roof where fire had broken through.

Two Fire companies were on the job. While one company fought the fire the other went into the house and attempted to rescue the residents.

As it turned out George was the only one still alive. His wife, Magdalena and their two daughters and one little boy were all found in the bathroom already dead from smoke and fire. Magdalena was found in the bathtub with the youngest daughter. The water was still running and they had done their best to save themselves. The boy, Sonny and the oldest daughter were found on the floor jammed up against the partially open door. George, the distraught father, was found lying over their bodies, hopelessly trying to shield them.

George was badly burned and was moaning from the extreme pain. The firemen carried him to Rose’s house next door which was an exact duplicate of the duplex that had caught fire.

They sat him on a chair in the center of the kitchen. He was calling Magdalena, Magdalena where are you. Come to me. Get the kids. Come to me. Please he sobbed I want to see my children.

We’ll take care of them Mr. Edward. Don’t worry. An ambulance is coming to take you to the hospital. You are badly burned gently comforted a fire Captain.

Oh God, I thought they were right behind me on the stairs. Why did she go back? he wailed.

As the fireman left, Aunt Rose came with a wet towel and tried to wipe George’s face. He screamed Don’t touch me! Don’t touch me! The pain is too much.

Rose backed off and ran away, gagging from the sight of this badly burned man, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Her husband Enrico caught her and hugged her close. Easy Rose, take it easy. There’s nothing you can do for him. The fireman said he doubts if he’ll even live long enough to make it to the hospital.

Oh Rico, the top of his bald head looked like fried bacon. I can’t stand it she sobbed how could this happen?

The firemen were now bringing in the charred bodies of the three children. They laid them like cords of wood, side by side on the living room floor. Out of consideration for the survivors they left Magdalena’s broken, charred body on the back porch covered with a coat.

Michel came inside to check on his little family. Dante ran to him and Michel scooped him up into his arms. Little Dante was crying Daddy my friend Sonny is dead. He’s dead daddy. He only has one foot. The other one got burned off he blubbered through the tears.

I know Danny I know. But Sonny’s in Heaven now. Remember when we told you about living with God after you die?

But daddy it must have hurt Sonny to get burned. He was my friend. He showed me how to play jacks and mumbley peg.

I know Danny. I know he said, trying to comfort the little boy.

STEFFY… STEFFY he called take the kids next door to my mom’s side. They shouldn’t be seeing all this stuff.

Okay, okay Mikey but your mom’s over here.

Take ’em anyway. She would want them at her house.

Soon the fire was out. Most of the firemen left with one company remaining to put out hot spots. The ambulances came for George and to take the dead bodies to the morgue.

The Gianini family and their neighbors all gathered at Rose’s house in a dazed stupor.

They put the kids to bed at Michel’s mother’s house. Stefania had to lay with them until they cried themselves to sleep.

The grownups couldn’t sleep. They sat and drank coffee all night. Some cried, some trembled and some just sat and stared. They all prayed and thanked God that their family was safe.

When daylight came, Michel went back into their side of the fire ravaged duplex to see what they had left in the burned out house. He and his family will now temporarily move back with his mom and dad into the duplex shared with Rose and Enrico.

Chapter One

TWO MONTHS BEFORE THE FIRE

October 1936

H ey George, why aren’t you at work today? called Michel to his neighbor.

George climbed out of his old Ford and answered Aw Mikey they had a big lay off at the mill. I think it has to do with all the union talk that’s been goin’ on lately. Any of us guys that showed up at the meeting, strangely enough, got laid off today.

Hey, I told you George. Don’t associate with that tough bunch of guys. Unions will come, but you got to do it right. What’re you gonna do now?

Well I’m not gonna work on WPA like you are. I’m gettin’ too old and they work your ass off out there. There’s other ways to make money.

Be careful George. Don’t do anything you’d be sorry for.

Don’t worry I can handle myself.

George left Michel and went to his side of the duplex where he lived with his wife and children, two teen age girls and one eight year old boy. He had to break the news to his wife about the layoff notice. His last pay check was in his pocket.

Michel went into his side of the duplex, where he lived with his wife Stefania and two small children, Dante, five years old and Maria, three years. To help pay his rent, he rented out the third floor to his cousin Alfonso and his wife Gina for ten bucks a month. Every bit helped in this day and age. Stefania had just announced that a third child would be coming in about 7 months.

Michel rolled his eyes when she told him but he knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. They had married quite young, both were strong healthy adults and they were also Catholic. She was happy being a doting mother and Michel loved her very much in that role. They had a good marriage. If only the job market would loosen up. He was learning carpenter work on the WPA. The pay wasn’t good but the experience would be very helpful when things turned around.

Hi Steffy. What’s for supper?

Beans and potatoes, lover boy, but I was able to get a ham hock to cook with them so it should be good. Also mom gave us a fresh loaf of bread that she baked today.

Sounds good, I’m starving. Some day, I’ll buy you a steak baby.

Yeah, promises, promises that’s all I get she said smiling and giving him a big hug and kiss.

He laughed and kissed her back.

Hey did I see you talking to George? He’s not usually home from the mill this early she asked.

Yeah, it’s not good news. He got laid off today.

Oh damn. What’s he going to do?

I don’t know. I hope he doesn’t do anything foolish he answered.

And what did the busy little housewife do today? Any excitement? he queried.

Well I had coffee at Aunt Rose’s with mom and Gina. While we were having our coffee that sleaze bag Guido stopped to see if we wanted to play the numbers. Aunt Rose played her house number, 509, for a dime and mom boxed 511 for a nickel. I told him I was broke. Gina gave him an earful when he gave her the eye. Ol’ Gina doesn’t take any guff from anyone. She doesn’t care if he is in the mob.

Michel laughed Guido’s just a gofer for the mob. He thinks he’s a big bad guy but he shakes in his boots when some of the real mob guys are around.

Yeah, but that kind of idiot is dangerous, when he thinks he’s got the upper hand. Always trying to prove himself to the big boys she said as she shuddered I don’t trust him and he gives me the creeps

Don’t worry honey, he knows better than to bother you.

The cool fall days passed quickly. Michel’s old high school team, Sharon South, was playing for the city championship. His brothers, cousins and he were all going to the game tonight and cheer them on. Michel was a big star for the team back in his high school days.

The four of them hopped in Michel’s Model A and took off for the game.

Stefania yelled out as they were leaving Don’t get into any trouble you guys. I know how wild you get at those games.

Don’t worry honey. South is going to murder them tonight.

It was a good game and South did win but not by much. The boys were all in a good mood as they were leaving the stadium.

Hey Mikey came a call from the crowd.

Michel turned around and saw it was his neighbor George. George was smiling and seemed very happy. He was with some very tough looking men.

Good news Mikey. I got myself a job.

Hey that’s great George. Where ya workin’?

Well Guido’s movin’ over to Youngstown. He’ll be collecting from the runners and I’m takin’ over his south side route.

Michel stared at George and glanced at his friends. He slowly said Oh, that’s good George. That’s good. See ya around I gotta go.

He quickly joined his brother and cousins and hurried to his car.

Nico said Geez Mikey did I hear right? Is George going to be a numbers runner? That doesn’t sound right to me.

Not good, Nico. Not good. I didn’t want to say anything with those toughs around but I’ll talk to George tomorrow. My theory is to live and let live with the mob. You can’t antagonize them but you shouldn’t make deals with them either.

When they got home and Michel went into his house, Stefania greeted him. She said Hi honey. Did South win the game?

Yeah they won. It was a good game.

Then why are you lookin’ so down cast? Somethin’ else wrong?

Yeah… . kinda. I saw George at the game and he was with some toughs from the Youngstown mob. He’s gonna be a numbers runner for them.

Well honey, they need the money and I heard from Bianca that they get paid on a commission. Maybe it will only be until they get back on their feet.

You already heard? Michel asked.

Yeah, Bianca’s girlfriend told her. That kind of news travels fast she said.

Well I don’t mind playing a number once in a while. Everyone does but that’s as close as I want to be. Let’s go to bed.

Chapter Two

THANKSGIVING DAY

1936

Michel and his family spent Thanksgiving with the rest of the Gianini family at his mom and dad’s house which was on the other side of the duplex from Aunt Rose. The two Gianini brothers, Giuseppe and Enrico, had bought the duplex after moving from a small town near Philadelphia where, they had originally settled after immigration from Italy.

As with many in those times, they moved to the Rust Belt and worked in the steel mills, so prevalent in that area. Michel’s dad, Giuseppe, left the mill and was doing well as an insurance man.

Michel and Stefania had moved in with his folks when they married and planned to stay until they could afford to rent on their own. These were depression days and work was hard to find. After two children were born they just had to find a place. When the west half of the duplex next door became available, Michel felt that they could just barely afford it on his WPA wages, so they moved. It was great because they were still close enough that Michel’s mom could help Steffy with the kids and Michel could pick up a few bucks doing odd jobs in the neighborhood. He was quickly becoming a good carpenter.

Michel’s other brother, Giuseppe Gianini Jr., they called him Joe, started making plans to open a bar downtown in the basement of an old building. He wanted to name it The Cavern Night Club. He would pattern it after a German rathskeller that he had frequented during Prohibition. He had the place rented, and had been working on fixing it up for months. He told Michel that he could earn some extra money tending bar there if he wanted to.

But Joe was having one very large problem. His request for a liquor license was being held up and he didn’t know why. He could open in a few weeks if he could get the license. This was his dream and he and Bianca had been saving every penny they could both earn ever since the end of Prohibition in 1933. Joe had worked at a speakeasy when booze was still illegal, so he knew how to run a night club.

He told his story of woe to his brothers, Michel and Nico, that Thanksgiving night. Neither brother had an answer for him.

The next day, Friday, was a no work day so Stefania sent Michel to Abraham’s Grocery on Taylor Street to pick up a few groceries. He was walking back home with Dante in tow a few steps behind him when a police patrol car pulled up next to him.

A gruff voice called out through an open window on the passenger side Hey Gianini, com’ere.

Michel stopped and turned towards the car. With narrowed eyes he said Yeah, Delaney, what’s the problem?

In a loud retort It’s Lieutenant Delaney, wise guy.

Okay… Lieutenant Delaney… . now… what’s your problem?

The problem… is with your stupid brother Joe. He’s got a crazy idea that he can open a bar in this town without going through proper channels. Tell him to see me tonight at 8:00 at Romeo’s Ristorante. He knows what to bring and he better be there if he knows what’s good for him.

Yeah, yeah I’ll tell him. He also got a visit from the protection boys". Seems like, everyone wants a piece of