Nightman Returns

By Kevin Anthony

All it took was one frantic email from Judy to get Michael out of hiding and back at the Regent Hotel. As he shared a pocketful of lies about his disappearance, he soon realized it was the Miralisa crime syndicate that brought him into the open. He was in over his head and he knew it until Duke, a veteran of Vietnam and related assignments, was brought out of retirement to protect him.
The Miralisa were back in the Regent and so was their boss, Geppetto. As the Miralisa set the stage to frame Michael for murder to force his Uncle Paulo into their criminal enterprise, Michael’s uncle is on the hunt to find the elusive Geppetto and put the Miralisa out of business.
As Michael stays one step ahead of the pursuing Miralisa, he finds that through it all Judy Richards has stayed with him.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Oct 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781483414928

Book preview

Anthony

Chapter One

"Where the hell have you been?" Judy spoke fiercely as she slapped her hand down on the front desk.

Upstate, with relatives.

You liar, Michael. No one from upstate New York has a tan like that even in the summer.

Well, I was with relatives. That was as far as I was going with this line of questioning as I surveyed the painters in the lobby of the Regent Hotel.

Follow me, she walked directly into her office. She stood by the door and waited until I entered before she slammed it and latched the bolt, It’s there in my desk drawer.

She put her anger on the shelf. She needed me.

I already knew what was in the drawer but I played along, What is it?

I found it yesterday.

Here. She handed me a plastic bag. I can’t tell the police about this. Just get rid of it.

Wait a minute. I made one serious resolution while I was gone - - I’m not listening to you and I’m not following you anymore.

Fine, just fine Michael, I’ll handle this. She took the bag back.

I snatched the bag back from her, No, I’ll do it.

I stepped towards the desk.

I don’t understand any of this, she said.

I slowly pulled the handle.

The drawer was empty.

She put her hand into the drawer as if she was searching for a set of car keys. Why would someone do this to me?

And what was supposed to be there?

It was a hand.

A hand? I asked as I faked my surprise.

Yes, a hand.

And someone just came in here and left it behind.

Honestly, Michael, I can’t eat, I haven’t slept since yesterday. Why would someone put a severed hand in my desk drawer and then take it away?"

She sat in the office chair and her eyes drifted blankly around the room. Everything was being refurbished in the hotel but she had not touched anything in this office - - same carpet, chairs and pictures.

Michael, why didn’t you answer a single one of my emails?

I couldn’t get on a computer until yesterday.

Eight months without a computer? She shook her head in disbelief.

Hey, I’m here.

I sat in the office chair that faced the desk. My thoughts raced. Uncle Paulo was right; I should have stayed with the Armenian in the San Fernando Valley.

Judy’s stare returned to the empty drawer. She repeated slowly, Why…would…someone…do…this?

It was the only way to get me out of hiding.

What were you hiding for?

I don’t know.

Don’t start talking in riddles. I deserve an answer.

Her temper was making a comeback. You leave your job, your apartment and everything in it and I get a postcard from the airport saying you will stay in touch and I don’t hear a word from you in eight months.

How do you know about my apartment?

The manager let me in.

Why did he do that?

I sweet-talked him.

Wait a second, you sneaked into my apartment?

I didn’t sneak at all. I was scared, I hadn’t heard from you.

This is important. Were you the one that went through my stuff?

Be serious, I’d be afraid of what I’d find. I didn’t touch anything, well, maybe a couple things on your desk.

Did you read my diary?

Yes, but I didn’t think it was your diary. It was so trashy; do you really think like that?

You read my diary.

Get over it, will you. It was dull and boring even the sick parts.

I’m back in New York and you have me…

"Geesus! Can you get your one-track mind off your trashy diary and tell me why you disappeared?"

In a heartbeat, I wished I stayed in the Valley.

You said you were in upstate New York.

I was. There is a valley in upstate.

Liar!

Alright, we have to stop arguing. We are both in a lot of trouble.

Why me? I haven’t done anything.

You are in trouble because you know me.

I can fix that.

Listen to me; we don’t have time to argue anything.

Alright, if my ass is on the line with yours, tell me why you left.

I stood up from my chair and shuffled to the doorway. Judy was used to get me to come back to the Regent. She was a pawn. I was a pawn. In chess, pawns are always the first to go. For a moment, I opened the door and watched the painters fumbling in the lobby before I closed it and returned to my seat.

There is a storm brewing.

What are you talking about?

When I left eight months ago, I didn’t know why I had to leave. I went to dinner with my family.

Did your mother recover from seeing me naked?

Hardly, Jaycee came with me as my date.

Wait a second. You took a prostitute to dinner with your family - - the Cape Cod Musuccis?

Jaycee was recovering from Percy’s beating. She was staying with me and I didn’t want to leave her alone.

Wait a second; you mean she was sleeping in your bed?

Nothing happened for the three days she stayed with me. She had several broken ribs.

Did you have sex with her?

Of course not, I spent a week giving her medicine and helping her to the bathroom. It was not a vacation.

Alright then.

As if you cared.

Michael! I’ve been worried sick about you.

Really?

Not that much, just a little.

The phone rang.

Without hesitation Judy grabbed it, Hello.

A silence followed.

Well, he’s right here. She handed me the phone

Nobody knows I’m here, I said in a hot whisper.

It’s a guy named Vinny.

I snatched the phone, Vinny Santangelo, how are you?

Michael, no time for hello, you stay in that office and do not open the door for anyone. Uncle Paulo is sending someone for you. Do you understand me?

Yes.

He hung up the phone.

I placed the phone down.

That was quick, she blurted.

We are in more trouble than I thought.

What’s this ‘we’ business?

There was a loud crash in the lobby. She started for the door but I intercepted her as she stepped around the desk.

Don’t open it.

From the lobby another crash was followed with a thump.

I have to see what is going on out there! She snapped.

I held her.

It’s okay Ms. Richards one of the painters had a little accident, a voice waffled from behind the closed door.

A little accident?

Guido, here, dropped a ladder on a guest.

Oh shit! Another lawsuit. I have to get out there. She tried to struggle out of my grasp.

Judy, hold on. It could be a trap.

No, those damn clumsy painters. I wish I had the original ones.

What do you mean original ones?

The original painters were doing just fine until they were replaced by these guys.

And when did this happen?

This morning.

Really?

Why are you so interested about these damn painters?

I’m not. We are staying put until my Uncle Paulo’s person gets here. Now, sit down. Let me bring you up to speed.

This better be good, she retreated back to the desk chair.

Alright, where was I?

You went to dinner with your family, the Cape Cod Musuccis and you brought your favorite prostitute with you.

I couldn’t just leave Jaycee at the apartment besides my brother Shelton was going to be there with my ex-girlfriend Pricilla.

I get it. You brought her along to make Pricilla jealous.

Why not?

What a cheap shot, but I love it.

She sunk into the cushions of her chair. She wanted answers.

I wanted to switch the subject.

Start with the dinner, how did your mother take to Jaycee?

That has nothing to do with what’s in front of us.

Did your mother say anything about me?

Let’s forget about the dinner for now. We are up against something that nobody knows anything about.

We will get to that. I need to know how your dinner with your family went.

It went fine for awhile.

What did your mother say about me?

She commented that my previous girl friend was a prostitute.

And Jaycee said?

She said that she was a prostitute as well but I could not afford her.

At the Musucci dinner table?

In front of Uncle Paulo, Grandfather and all my family.

Judy gave me a full cheek grin.

What’s so funny?

Imagining the look on your mother’s face.

It didn’t last long. Dinner was over and Uncle Paulo said he needed me to run an errand. I went outside, was placed in a limousine and the next thing I knew I was in upstate New York. And, I haven’t been back until today.

Stop lying about upstate New York.

I was in no mood to add that the limousine drove me from New York all the way to Los Angeles.

You know, I am headed out of here as soon as Uncle Paulo’s man gets here. And you can figure out this hand business on your own.

Okay, okay, back to business. Why did someone want to get you out of hiding?

They couldn’t find me. Hell, they would have never found me.

She stood up from her chair, walked alongside the desk with her hand gently sliding along the desktop until she stood next to me, I want the whole truth. She sat in my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck. Where have you really been?

That’s not important. What is important is that hand in your desk drawer that is now missing.

She gripped my neck, Okay, why would someone want to find you?

I don’t even know why I was in hiding.

She loosened her grip on my throat, And how does this involve me?

I’m guessing that the Miralisa are losers and probably want to even the score with me for breaking up their game here at the Regent.

We were just finding the murderer of my mother.

And in the process, we closed their operation.

There was another crash from the lobby and Judy jumped up from my lap. I grabbed her and pulled her back onto my lap.

Hey, what’s going on out there? She bellowed at the closed door.

Sorry, we had this little accident. Joey took a little fall from the ladder.

I’ve got to get out there. She tried to squirm out of my grasp and pushed the chair over. I held her tightly and we fell onto the floor.

Let go of me.

Just wait until Uncle Paulo’s man gets here.

She kissed me and rolled over on top of me.

Eight months of thinking about her everyday and wanting to just wrap my arms around her disarmed me. I released my grip from her waist and held her gently around her shoulders.

I missed you Michael, why did you leave?

I didn’t want to.

She kissed me again until I let go of here. She pressed my hands down, rolled off me and crawled to the door.

Don’t open it. I grabbed her ankle.

She stood up and pulled me across the floor as she yanked open the door and a lean cowboy - - hat, vest and boots - - with a rolled cigarette draped from his lips stood squarely in front of her.

She stepped back and the cowboy stepped into the office. His eyes dropped from her to me sprawled on the floor still clutching her ankle, Well, I’ll be goddamned.

Excuse me sir, but just who are you? She tried to be official.

The cowboy ignored her and smiled at me, They bring me out of retirement and I find you flat on your butt grabbing a woman’s ankle.

She pulled her ankle out of my grasp and straightened her disheveled skirt, My name is Judy Richards. I’m the owner of the Regent.

I know, honey, the cowboy did not take his eyes off of me, My friends they all call me Duke.

You are the Duke that saved Michael from the Miralisa?

Among other things.

I sat up.

Uncle Paulo wants me to babysit you here.

What for?

How should I know? He gave me his dead-eyed look.

Is he upset?

He frowned, He told me to keep you here while he makes some arrangements?

How’d he know I was here?

So what’d you think the Armenian did when you left?

What are you doing here in New York?

I was called yesterday. I drove all night.

From Georgia?

Yes, I was just enjoying a peaceful evening in the pasture with a cup of coffee and I get pressed into service.

Why did Paulo call you?

Because, he heard about the hand.

He could not have known about the hand; I didn’t tell anyone, Judy said.

"Well, I ain’t taking any more questions. Besides let’s talk about happier things like your brother’s marriage in two weeks."

What! No one told me they set a date.

Still on the outside of the family?

And is he marrying Priscilla?

Your ex-girlfriend? Judy added her thought.

That’s the one.

I wasn’t even invited.

I’m sure we can get you an invite.

The phone rang and Duke grabbed the receiver an instant before Judy.

That’s my phone.

Yeah, he drawled before he hung it up.

Paulo wants to see you and your friend here.

I’m not leaving my hotel, she said.

Suit yourself. But the ones that gave you the hand. They’re still here.

How do you know all of this?

Suit yourself, come on Michael.

I followed him to the doorway of the office and saw the painter standing over a slender man lying unconscious on the floor. The painter turned to Duke and said, We’re going to take this piece of trash out.

Judy gasped, Oh, my god! Is that a guest?

I don’t think so. He had too many questions. The painter stepped towards Judy, "I’m havin` a little problem with the labor, we are going to need to take a few days more here in the lobby."

She surveyed the lobby. The floors and couches were covered in a fine white powder that had come from the plaster patches that were sanded and had given the lobby the distinct look of being covered in an early morning frost.

That’s totally not acceptable, she shot back.

Duke took her by the arm. You have someone who can watch the store while you’re away?

Yes. I have a manager.

He walked her past the front desk and turned down the marble walkway towards the entrance to the lobby. I followed.

From the corner alcove I heard a robust, Good heavens my boy!

Gene, Gene Fowler?

Come here, my boy! Let me have a look at you. Now where have you been?

At the coast.

You liar, Michael, Judy said above her breath.

Fowler was covered in white dust that had come from the painter’s sanding.

My boy, have a seat here, he beckoned as he let go a vicious sneeze.

Your boy is going to a wedding, Duke interrupted.

Good Heavens! Gene jumped to his feet. Marriage!"

It’s not my marriage.

Oh, thank heavens, Gene shuddered as he pulled a white hanky from his jacket pocket and brushed his forehead. Marriage is an inevitable shipwreck these days. No one gets saved. But we must talk, Michael, so many things are going on here at the Regent.

That will have to wait, Duke said as he redirected his walk towards the front door.

I’ll be back soon. You can fill me in then. I apologized.

Very well, then. He sneezed again viciously and said, It is all this dust that keeps getting me to sneeze but stay away from marriage in the mean time and keep Judy away from that Vaquero fellow.

Vaquero fellow?

Don’t look so serious.

Who is he?

Hey. You disappear for eight months without so much as a phone call and what am I suppose to do - - wait for you?

Yeah, then why’d you email me so much.

How do you know I emailed you?

I just gave out my second secret.

How do you know I emailed you so much? You said you didn’t have a computer.

Well…

We pushed through the revolving door and out the lobby entrance to the street.

Damn it! Michael. She grabbed my arm and spun me around on the sidewalk. I deserve an answer?

Vaquero?

He’s from Argentina. And he treats me like a princess. Now, why didn’t you answer my emails?

Why should I? You and your Vaquero.

I’ve had one date with the guy. She clutched my shirt, Why didn’t you answer my emails?

Well, I’ll be goddamned, Duke watched Judy push me against his pickup truck.

I was hiding from the Miralisa. If I answered an email they would have found me.

You are such a damn liar. I don’t believe you for a second. Look, I’m out of this, I don’t want any part of you and I don’t want any part of the Miralisa.

Suit yourself, Duke drawled. Michael, let’s go see your uncle.

Duke walked around the front of the pickup, opened the door and said to Judy, Are you coming, honey? I have it on a real good authority that the next hand found in a drawer will be yours.

Judy’s eyes bugged out, What!

I climbed in the back seat and Judy slid into the front seat.

Chapter Two

Duke’s pickup truck was jet black with a chromed running board. It sounded and vibrated like a real American made truck and had the pure scent of hay and horseshit.

Goddamn New York City, he said coolly as the pickup left the curb and jolted into the flow of traffic.

Do you always swear like that? She asked.

He turned and looked at her. His face carried a thousand wrinkles and a permanent tan. Hell no! Only when I’m irritated. He adjusted his tired cowboy hat and pulled on a pair of sunglasses.

Could you tell me what’s going on? She asked.

I’m taking you for a visit with Michael’s Uncle Paulo.

I know that.

The rest will come to you soon enough.

I knew that was as much as he was going to share with her. And I knew why Uncle Paulo wanted to see me. He had given me strict orders not to contact anyone and not to leave the Armenian’s hotel but I disobeyed him when I left to come and ‘rescue’ Judy at the Regent. Now, I regularly disobeyed my mother because I had too. I never disobeyed my father because he never asked me to do anything but Uncle Paulo and my Grandfather were the only two people I knew that disobedience carried consequences, at least that’s what I figured.

Duke rolled a cigarette with one hand as he steered his pickup with the other.

You are not going to light that thing, are you? Judy said.

Yep.

Yuck.

There was a time when a man could have himself a smoke without the whole goddamn world complaining.

She rolled down the window and stuck her head outside.

He lit the cigarette.

The temperature was in the high thirties but with the window open at forty miles an hour she had juiced up the wind chill factor.

I’m freezing, roll up the window.

She turned on the heater.

He drove us uptown on the East side to a street with a row of townhouses. He stopped his truck in the middle of the block, This is where we get out.

A short curly haired man stepped from the sidewalk and sat in the truck. Judy and I exited the other side and followed Duke up the stairs to a townhouse.

Inside the townhouse, three men sat in the alcove behind the front door.

We followed Duke into a waiting room where another three men sat reading newspapers. There was a large spiral staircase that began on our right and swirled around the room to a landing on our left.

Bring Michael upstairs. Paulo wants to see him and have his honey stay downstairs, a voice from the landing ordered.

I’m not your honey, Judy whispered.

I know, I know, I shared.

You’re not leaving me here with these gangster-looking people are you?

Yes. Believe me, this room is the safest place in all of New York.

I followed Duke up the stairs to the landing and into an open door where my uncle sat watching a horse race on a big screen television.

He turned off the television and stood up from his large cushy chair as soon as I entered the room. For a moment, I expected him to lash out at me for disobeying his direct order but he smiled instead, came over and wrapped his arms around me, Michael, how is my favorite? He embraced me warmly.

I’m good Uncle, very good.

I’m so glad to see you.

Are you angry at me?

Angry? I could only be angry if you didn’t bring your problems to me.

He kept his arm around my shoulder and walked me to a couch in the center of the room. His hair was a bit grayer but straight and full; his blue eyes were sharpened by thick black eye brows.

Why was I in hiding?

He smiled, I’m afraid the Miralisa would do you harm.

For what? Breaking up their operations at the Regent?

He released his grip and leaned back and pulled me into the soft leather couch. I did not understand who these people were, but I have had some time to find out about them.

Do I have to go back into hiding?

Not at this time.

Can I go back to the Regent with Judy?

This Judy was the child of Ms. Stones?

Yes.

Do you love this Judy?

Sometimes.

That’s a full goddamn job to love that piece of cheese, Duke added.

Paulo waited and pondered before he answered, Yes, you can go back to the Regent. But, we stay alert. Duke will stay with you.

And the painters?

Ah, the painters, how did you know about the painters?

They don’t know how to paint.

He smiled broadly, They will stay as well.

Vinny Santangelo, my uncle’s closest associate came into the room. His body was rock solid with thick arm muscles that his suit could not hide. He came over to the couch and picked me up and hugged me tightly.

"Ragazzi, how have you been?"

Good. I got a nice suntan over the summer.

None of the Armenian’s daughters married you?

They all asked.

He laughed and said, Every time, someone pays a visit to the Armenian, his daughters try to get a marriage.

Paulo stood up from the couch and walked to a double door and opened it, I want you to meet my associate.

He pushed open the double door to a room with a large desk and a computer. Behind the computer came the sultry welcome, How ya doin, Texas?

Jaycee!

She came around the computer and hugged me.

I can’t believe you are here. The last I saw you was at the dinner with my family.

I work here.

Paulo motioned for Vinny to close the doors and looked to Jaycee and said, Michael needs to know.

She drew a deep breath, Michael, I was recruited into the Miralisa. I wanted their protection. I didn’t think they would murder anyone much less Mrs. Stones.

Paulo interrupted, Tell him about the family.

The Miralisa have become murderous. The original leaders were two brothers from India that began by stealing from hotels, like the Regent and your mother’s place in Atlanta, but they have expanded. We know they have taken over a drug cartel and a few related distribution networks.

She paused to let this piece of information sink in.

Tell him the rest.

Most off-shore crime syndicates stay off-shore but not the Miralisa they are moving into America. To launder their money they use the Fellowship Foundation in Oklahoma City.

You mean the Reverend Landers, the television church?

It’s a front. The minister is a born-again crook and he lets the Miralisa launder their funds. They donate to his church and he returns ninety percent. A church is a perfect place to launder money; the government cannot inspect their records.

She let that information sink in before she added, We noticed they have risen in power very quickly.

She looked at Uncle Paulo and waited for his nod before she continued, They want to change things.

She walked over to Uncle Paulo, What we did not understand was how these thieves could grow so fast. But, recently we learned that the brothers answer to a man they call Geppetto.

I know that name.

She smiled, Everyone knows that name.

"Where do I know