Second Chance

By Clinton E. Harris

Criminal minds are unleashed upon a family and the only one to rescue them is a retired Navy Seal. Clinton Harris is retired and a world traveler. He lives in San Diego, California with is best friend and wife of forty-one years, Carol. This is his first novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Oct 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781483459479

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Author

CHAPTER ONE

Eight months ago

Santa Ana winds increased as the surrounding buildings cast their long afternoon shadows on the lone phone booth outside the abandoned building on S. Sepulveda Blvd., south of LAX. Traffic was sporadic, but the rush would be just hours away. The booth’s occupant was frantically depositing coins into the slot, dropping several as he heard the dial tone come on. If only I hadn’t lost my cell phone. Two rings and a hesitant voice came on.

Hello.

Jo, get out, leave. Get out now. Take the kids and get out.

Ted, you should see this apartment. It’s all tore up.

Tires screeched and smoked from a Lexus as it came from the intersection across from Ted. Panic took over as he saw the Lexus’s occupants: Oscar Janis’ two goons: Claude and the women called Charlee.

Get out now, he said, as he left the phone dangling. Off he ran on the opposite side of the street getting two blocks distance from the Lexus.

Ted’s burning sides left him gasping for breath as he made it two more blocks and turned the corner in hopes of eluding his pursuers. No such luck. These two were persistent, like Cheetahs pursuing their prey. The two inhabitants of the Lexus pounded the dash while giddily yelling as they drew nearer to Ted. Negotiating a u-turn Ted ran back to the alley he had passed. If he could slow them down he might get back to his car, if not he would not come out of this unhurt.

Claude, seeing Ted change directions, made a tire-squealing u-turn while heading for the alley. Skidding sideways, almost missing the alley completely, he got the car under control and continued on.

Ted ran, knocking over trashcans, only stopping briefly to move dumpsters to block their path and gasp for needed air before he continued his getaway. Scattered boxes, trash dumpsters, and pallets were left in his wake. If this worked he knew a place he could catch his breath and plan his escape.

Damn. Damn! Claude yelled as the vehicle came to a screeching halt, adding a dent to the shiny bumper from the large trash dumpster. Throwing the car into reverse, it went side to side, tires smoking back down the alley.

Ted rounded the corner, ran across the street, up two blocks and then he saw the sign ANK’S PLACE. He had finally made it to safety. It used to say HANK’S PLACE but the ‘H’ burned out long ago and was never fixed.

Where’d he get to? Screamed Charlee, as they drove up and down the surrounding streets intensely looking at every man on the street.

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Claude pounded his beefy fist on the dash.

We better call the boss. He’s not going to like it that we lost Teddy-boy, Charlee yelled.

Ted threw open the bar door hurriedly entering the establishment while adjusting his eyes to the darkness, trying to inhale all the needed air he could. With his side burning he noticed the same asshole bartender behind the bar, the same lousy music and two patrons playing pool in the small outer room. Nothing changed. With his left side cramping Ted took the booth in the back corner, slid in on the fake leather and buried his head in his folded arms. Moments lapsed, as his heavy breathing became almost normal. Sweat dribbled down his soaked shirt as he raised his head to see the bartender approaching his table.

What’ll you have, speedy? Hey, I remember you. You was in here a couple of days ago. Are you going to become a regular?

I’ll just have a beer, and you can leave the chitchat at the bar. I just want to be left alone.

The bartender waved his hand in disgust, turned and walked back to the bar. Grabbing a mug he poured the beer, walked back to Ted and nonchalantly slid it across to his outstretched hand leaving a trail of suds.

There’s your beer, Speedy. He growled and walked away.

Ted took a long swallow of the cold liquid and stared into the half-filled mug. He calculated his next move. He hoped his family was safe, he hoped to God they were safe. He couldn’t live with himself if anything happened to them. Come on think. What do I need to do next? Talk to Frank! Yeah, that’s what I’ll do.

Frank was the US Customs agent that he had made a deal with concerning Mr. Janis. He would get incriminating information on Janis’s business deals in exchange for a new life for him and his family. Somehow they must’ve found out.

Glancing around the establishment he noticed more people entering the bar. Several couples arm-in-arm, dressed in black leathers, greeted the bartender as they took up stools at the bar while four bikers sporting tattoos on arms and necks sat at tables near the pool table. The bartender brought beer to all, then hurried back to the bar to answer the phone.

One beer and several lousy tunes later, Ted figured it should be safe to leave and call Frank plus it must be dark by now and that would make it easier to get to his family.

Hi there, Mr. Carter, came an unfamiliar voice. Ted looked in the direction of the voice and his heart stopped. Sliding in next to him was Claude, driver of the Lexus, and across from him slid in Charlee. Fear took over his mind and his sweat glands went into overload. Extending his left arm around Ted’s shoulders the driver squeezed him closer to him. Ted choked on Claude’s cologne.

Mr. Janis wants a word with you, Teddy!

Ted didn’t see the beefy fist coming, but damn it hurt. He tried to bring a hand up to ease the pain, but Claude’s grip was iron. Tears from pain swelled in his eyes as he leaned over the table.

Now, now, Teddy that’s no way to act now was it. Trying to quit your job unsettled Mr. J.

Up yours. Ted’s forehead hit the table with the help from the Claude’s large hand. The force surprised him. The thud of skin meeting wood was like a melon hitting pavement. The bar’s patrons glanced in the direction of the commotion, but thought better not to interfere. It was normal doings, but a little early. Ted groaned as a warm liquid oozed from his nose. He was finally able to free his hand to investigate the warm feeling, coming away with a bloody hand. Using the back of his hand he patted his right eye; excruciating pain nearly made him pass out. His nose must be broken, maybe an eye socket too.

How am I going to get out of this?

Come on wake up, Teddy-boy. We need to get going. Charlee took a drink from Ted’s beer, then Claude took the last long swallow.

Let’s go. Mr. J’s waiting to have a chat, and it’s not polite to keep him waiting. They slid out of the booth pulling Ted along by a handful of jacket, and stood him up, straightening his clothes.

Ted carefully wiped his face with the sleeve of his jacket. How did you find me?

Wasn’t hard at all. We just made a few phone calls and bingo here we are. Mr. J has eyes and ears all over this town and guess what? He owns this place. Both Claude and Charlee began laughing hysterically seeing the surprised look on Ted’s bloody face. Mr. Janis owns all kinds of fine establishments like this and even hotels and motels too. Who knows you might’ve stayed in one once, you never know.

Enough of this talk, let’s get going, Charlee said as she pushed Ted toward the door.

Ted turned his head towards the bar and caught the bartender wiping off the counter wearing a big smile on his face. That must have been the phonecall he saw him answer earlier. Stumbling towards the door between his two chasers, Ted mentally worked on a plan for his escape. Nearing the door Charlee pushed open the door, separating her from Ted. This might be his ticket out. Claude wasn’t holding on to him very tightly so maybe with a little luck he could make his move. He could push by Charlee and get out in the open. Maybe someone would see him and help. Just as thought of running crossed his mind, the door came slamming shut, hitting Ted squarely in the face.

Sorry, Teddy, I didn’t see you there. She began laughing.

That was a good one, Charlee.

Well, thank you, Claude.

The three walked to their black Lexus parked curbside with Ted in the middle. Shoving Ted into the backseat Charlee slid in to keep him company, while Claude got in behind the wheel.

No hanky-panky now, Teddy. I’m already spoken for. She started giggling seeing Claude’s smile in the rear view mirror.

They proceeded in the direction of Ted’s car. Arriving at the intersection where the chase started Ted painfully looked up through blood soaked hair and saw his car parked all alone as if it had been forgotten, half a block from where he phoned his wife, Joann. Making a u-turn Claude pulled up to the rear of Ted’s car putting it in park but keeping the engine running.

Here’s your ride,Teddy.

The blow to the back of his head came harder than the last and he went limp, lying motionless.

Quick! Claude tossed Charlee a roll of duct tape. We’ll get him into the trunk of his car, tape his hands and legs and gag his mouth. You follow me in his car.

Charlee took out leather gloves from her jacket pocket so as not to get any prints on the car. After performing their task Charlee dug into Ted’s pants pocket for the keys and wallet. She slammed the trunk then walked to Claude and planted a long, inviting kiss on his surprised lips. Her sultry walk back to Ted’s car just excited him more. Sliding in behind the wheel she yelled to Claude, This is a piece of crap. You owe me big-time, buddy.

Both cars drove off, heading north for their rendezvous in the Santa Monica hills meet with Janis.

Janis sat in his black limo in the turnout near the top of one of the hills that overlooked Santa Monica. This area was picked for its remoteness. The lights of the city below afforded a mystical air of the surrounding area as fog appeared in the West. That was far from the truth. It was here misfortune came to those who crossed Oscar Janis.

Janis was listening to classical music; he swore it relaxed him. His driver read the racing form the dome light of the upcoming races.

The car phone rang. Janis picked it up and asked in his whining voice, Yeah? Do you have Carter? There was a long pause while he listened. Okay, make it quick; I don’t like being up here any more then I have to. I should be home getting my beauty sleep. Besides, the longer this takes the more chances we have of being seen. I am at our regular spot on the mountain. He listened a while longer then said okay and hung up.

Janis pushed a button on the console. They’re on their way, Penny. He went back to his calming music.

Penny looked up from his reading glanced into the rearview mirror and adjusted his eye patch. He went back to his reading knowing someday he would get rid of that patch.

Twenty minutes passed before headlights appeared, coming up the mountain road flashing on and off twice. That was Janis’s cue to roll his large frame from the limo and receive his guest. The warm Santa Ana wind blew from the east as Janis emerged from the limo. This was where the start of Hell resided.

Charlee drove Ted’s car around the limo spraying up gravel and dirt, stopping ten feet from the driver’s side. The Lexus parked on the other side of the limo. Charlee exited the vehicle and opened the trunk cutting the tape from Ted’s ankles then, grabbing a handful of Ted’s jacket, dragged him out and laid him over the Lexus’s hood. Ted jumped awake as his face touched the hot hood. Stumbling backwards hands bound behind his back he started to fall. Charlee reached to catch him and thought better of it. Ted’s muffled sound of pain came as he landed on his back.

Stand him up over here, Janis said, waddling to the front of Ted’s car.

Dragging Ted to his feet by his bound wrists, Charlee took out the cloth from Ted’s mouth and planted him over the grill.

Hi there, Teddy. How ya feeling? A smirk highlighted the question.

Not saying a word Ted looked at Janis with hate and disgust.

"I am going to ask you a couple of simple questions. Not hard ones mind you, but I need answers I can live with. You answer them truthfully or