The Girl and the Golem: Valorie Van Helsing, #1

By David Johanek

1936—New York—The German-American Nazi Bund and Meyer Lansky's mobsters are at war.

            Stuck in the middle is sixteen-year-old Valorie Van Helsing as she struggles to save her friends from both the Nazis and the mob. But Valorie is no stranger to danger. Her family has fought evil since her grandfather fought Dracula.

            But Valorie's friends aren't entirely defenseless. Goldy is good with his fists and not afraid to use his guns.

            And Becca has been keeping a dangerous secret—she has the power to bring golems to life—which may prove to be the most dangerous and deadly threat of all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Johanek
• Release date: Jul 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393772354

Book preview

PROLOGUE

1933 July

VALORIE ENTERED THROUGH the open pair of wooden doors leading to the Van Helsing library and walked past the numerous rows of bookshelves and tables topped with various occult and ancient artifacts. Pausing at a large, enclosed bookcase, she gazed through the glass doors at the three large jars on the top shelf that contained the heads of Dracula’s brides. They had always terrified her as a child, but now, on her thirteenth birthday, they were nothing more than curiosities. Snoring echoed from the alcove where her grandfather snoozed in his leather high-backed chair behind his enormous oaken desk. Sunlight glared through the alcove windows, silhouetting the chair and concealing her grandfather in shadows. She placed a plate of her birthday cake and a glass of punch on his desk. Grandpa, she whispered.

The old man snorted as his eyes fluttered open and slowly focused on her. Valorie, why aren’t you enjoying your party? Don’t tell me I’ve slept the whole day away.

No, but you’ve missed most of the party. I thought you’d like some cake. It didn’t surprise or disappoint Valorie that he skipped the party. He had practically lived in the library for the last couple of years while working on his memoirs. They both knew his time was short, and he wanted to get as much done as possible.

I’m sorry. I know I always disappoint you. Just like I did your father. Nothing ever changes. But you wouldn’t want a doddering old fool snooping around you young people.

You’re not an old fool.

Well, I’m not a young one.

Valorie slid the plate closer and examined the numerous newspaper articles about Hitler and the Nazis he had been reading. I thought you were working on your memoirs. I didn’t think you ever dealt with Nazis.

No, but I fear you will. In fact, fighting Dracula was easy. The Nazi threat is far more dangerous than the ambitions of one vampire, even one as powerful as Dracula. Luckily for you, girls aren’t sent to fight in wars, but Van Helsings always wind up involved anyway.

Valorie bristled at the comment about girls. She could already fly almost as good as Dad. If these Nazis are that bad, then I think everyone will be needed, including women.

Abraham Van Helsing leaned back and laughed. You take after your father too much. There are other ways to fight them without going to war. Look at all the knowledge contained in the books surrounding you. In all my years, I’ve rarely been directly involved in fighting. I usually participate as a consultant, leaving others the dirty work.

But that’s not me, Grandad. I don’t enjoy stuffy old libraries and moldy books. What’s the deal with the Nazi’s anyway? Becca says her parents are scared for their relatives in Europe, but Dan’s dad called Hitler a great man, a visionary.

Abraham slapped his desktop. "Damn that Lou Wagner, filling his son’s mind with tripe. Nazism is a cancer spreading across the world. You should listen to Becca’s family. They’re right about fearing for their relatives. If we had any Jewish relatives, I’d be begging them to leave Germany. The worst thing about it is that Hitler doesn’t even hide his ambitions, spells it right out in Mein Kampf. Hitler even got many of his ideas from Henry Ford, in his book, The International Jew."

Henry Ford, the man who makes automobiles?

Yes, the very man. Nazis and other fascists are gaining support because they hate communism. Many welcome a strong, fascist Europe as a buffer zone to stop the spread of communism. However, when you support one evil to stop another evil, then evil is the only winner, and good ceases to exist.

Valorie walked to the window and watched as her friends gathered around the picnic tables. Becca, Valorie's best friend, sat with a group of giggling girls. She was the sweetest person Valorie knew. Why would some people hate her for being Jewish? Dan and a few of his friends stood under an oak tree, laughing and pointing toward the table where Becca sat. Valorie regretted letting Dan kiss her only an hour earlier.

Nazi social and political ambitions are bad enough, Abraham said. Cruelty and prejudice are base human evils, but the inhuman evil worshiped and aspired to by the Nazis could destroy humanity. Indeed, they want to change humanity, create a master race. But this superhuman race they seek will be nothing but soulless slaves for their inhuman masters.

Inhuman?

Yes. The groups that back the Nazis, the Thule and VRIL societies, practice the darkest magick. They ally with nonhuman beings, demons even. Abraham shook his head, sighed, and leaned back in his chair.

Valorie handed him the punch. He sipped it and handed the glass back, along with the cake. Taking the glass, Valorie noticed his trembling hand. You should eat this. You need to keep your strength up.

Abraham shook his head. My strength is fading fast, too fast for a piece of cake to cure. I’ll be lucky to make it another month, but I don’t envy the young. I’ve seen enough and done enough to satisfy four lifetimes. I don’t want to be around for the next great war. I was lucky to survive the last, and I served only as a surgeon. You are right though, Valorie. I have a feeling you will be needed in the next war. So does your father. That’s why he’s so hard on you. War is for the young and strong, and I’ve a feeling that you’re the strongest Van Helsing of all.  You’ll need to be, Valorie. You’ll need to be.

CHAPTER ONE

1936 July

BECCA LOOKED AT THE small, bullet-riddled plane that was partially concealed in the bushes next to the shop before turning toward the massive aircraft hangar. When you compare the size of the aeroplane to the size of the building, it’s not as impressive as people make it out to be.

Valorie scowled, crossed her arms, and tapped her foot. You try to fly a Gee Bee through Dad’s hangar. You couldn’t drive an automobile through, let alone fly.

I could drive if I chose to, but then I couldn’t put my brother through the torment of your company when he comes to pick me up.

Yeah, seeing Goldy is a thrill for me, too. Why does he hate me anyway?

Becca shrugged her shoulders. I think he thinks you’re a rich bitch, not to mention a bad influence. But how could anybody who would fly a Bee Gee through a building be a bad influence?

Gee Bee, Valorie said. And maybe Goldy should look in the mirror before he criticizes me. He’s not the greatest role model for his little sister either. At least not if you consider being Meyer Lansky’s personal pilot an honest job.

But he thinks your stunt was reckless and insane.

I don’t think anybody ever accused a Van Helsing of being sane. But as she looked at her friend standing in the large, open doorway, Valorie agreed it was a stupid stunt. But if her dad hadn’t backed down, she wouldn’t have been forced to do it. It just wasn’t proper to come to the Van Helsing airfield to sell your Gee Bee and then make the statement that you could fly it through the hanger. That’s just what Dad’s friend, Jimmy Doolittle, had done though. Then Dad had just made things worse by asking Jimmy to prove it. Then Jimmy had countered by saying he’d give Dad the Gee Bee if he could do it. That was just too good a deal to pass up. So Valorie hopped into the already warmed up and ready to go ship. Before anybody could stop her, she took off and flew the little plane in one end and out the other. Only after, Doolittle admitted he wanted to sell the ship because it was unsafe, and he'd sworn never to fly it again.

Why’d it get all shot up? It was a cute little thing. 

Becca’s question pulled Valorie back from her memories. Oh, that was just Dad’s way of punishing me. He shot it up with his .45, so I’d never do anything that stupid again. Then he rubbed it in by saying, ‘Happy fourteenth, that was your birthday present.’

Becca laughed and walked toward the runway. Valorie was still surprised that in all the years they had been friends, this was the first time Becca had been to the airfield. Whenever Valorie had invited her in the past, Becca had just shriveled her nose at the thought of aircraft, mechanical shops, and dusty old hangars.

Valorie assumed Becca’s sudden interest in aircraft dealt with getting Goldy a job flying for Dad. Still, Valorie noted Becca’s eyes widening as she took in the immensity of the airfield. The runway ran the length of the complex and stretched along two large hangars before coming to the massive drive-through hangar with its even larger attached warehouse. The runway had been designed so that planes could turn off and taxi directly into the hangar. Inside, they could be checked, loaded, refueled, and repaired without fear of spying eyes seeing passengers or freight being loaded. Once loaded, the planes could taxi out the other end and head back onto the runway. The hangar also had two sets of doors facing the runway. Beyond these doors the Van Helsings stored their personal planes, including Valorie’s and her father’s Beechcraft B17Ls and the family Model 10 Electra, all fueled and good to go. A tall control tower loomed higher than the roof of the warehouse to which it was attached and provided a clear view over the entire area. Opposite the hangar/warehouse stood the garage and shop building.

Erin, the secretary and bookkeeper, stuck her head out the office door and yelled, Your dad just radioed in. He won’t be back tonight, something about having to fly to Toronto.

Valorie waved back, disappointed. Thanks. She wanted to see his new DC-3, the latest addition to the fleet of Trimotors, Electras, and DC-2s.

An approaching dust cloud signaled Goldy’s arrival. He raced down the quarter mile of gravel road between the Van Helsing estate and airfield, zipped by the office, down the driveway, spun around the flagpole, and squealed to a stop only inches from the back bumper of Valorie’s red Auburn 852, her Baby. Sounds like you need new brakes. Valorie said as he climbed out his battered Chevrolet coupe and limped toward her.

They’ll hold, Blondie.

Well, Blondie’s better than bitch, I suppose. Look, I didn’t mean anything. I was just going to suggest you could use Dad’s shop to replace them. Tools, too, if you needed some.

"I never called you a bitch, at least to your face. I’ve got my own tools, and the alley behind the deli is as good a place as any. Besides, I’d hate to have to owe you." Shaking his head, Goldy scowled at Valorie’s car.

So much for trying to be nice, Valorie’s blood started simmering. Jealous? Would you like to see my nice, new Beechcraft?

I’d rather fly an old Jennie than your not so sweet sixteen birthday present.

Presents, Valorie said. I got the Auburn, too.

Becca flashed them both dirty looks. What’s with you two? If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re in love.

No way. The busted-nosed boxer types don’t have enough brains for me.

And I’ve had better in cheap whorehouses.

Valorie was used to Goldy being an ass, and she never hesitated in egging