Shadows

By Ray Lubeski

A Naish Berran novel. A desperate call for help of an old friend , Henry The Bull Dozer, and his contractors, to fight and eliminate a cadre of terroristic gangs that are causing problems in his city and neighboring towns. An unexpected twist by the worlds top assassin, named Yellow Dog, who is also the leader of all the gangs, causes other twists to happen. A page turner.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 5, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524643485

Ray Lubeski

Ray Lubeski was born and raised in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania. He graduated Mount Carmel Joint High School in 1955. Being undecided, Lubeski chose the US Navy over college, and served three and a half years aboard the Destroyer USS Harlan R. Dickson DD708. After the Navy he worked forty years in New York City, in the Garment Industry and attended the school, F I T, at night. Lubeski also studied three years of Journalism and writing with the Connecticut School of Literature. He now resides at Perry’s Lake in Manahawkin, N J. with his wife Carol.

Book preview

1

It’s been two weeks since Ignaishous Edward Berran, who really wants to be called just plain Naish, purchased his new offices at the new office building in midtown Carlsburg. He wrinkled himself into his thickly cushioned desk chair and watched the sun dry the last of the rain drops on his window. He found himself daydreaming and jumped when his intercom buzzed. Yes, Stella? He coughed to clear his throat. What do you need?

Sorry Chief, my mistake. I hit the button by mistake while trying to clean my desk. Sorry, sorry, I didn’t wake you, did I? You want me to do ten pushups?

He chuckled, Only if you want too. Then his eyes widened when he checked the time on the wall clock which hung above his office door. He shook his head trying to shake the cobwebs loose, completely forgetting what he had to do. He tried to make some assemblence of the papers on his desk but failed. Christ, I’m batting a 1000, he said to himself as he hurried out of his office to talk to Stella.

Whoa! Slow down there cowboy. I said I was sorry and I even did my pushups. Or …are you running because you really have to pee badly.

No, I don’t have to pee badly my dear, but I do have to ask you something.

Shoot.

Have you heard from Johnny, lately?

Hmmm, let’s see, this is Monday and the last time I saw or talked to him was last Friday. He wanted to get together but I told him I couldn’t because I wanted to go shopping for clothes to wear to his big party tonight. Maybe he went to see his brother, wherever that is. Or maybe he . . …

Stella! Naish interrupted. A simple no would have been fine.

Oh, okay, no. She smiled. Did you try to call him?

Yes, and I got nothing. Not even his voice mail. You’d think a person who just became a Private Eye would keep his phone on all the time.

Yeah, one would think. Stella shrugged and noticed the concern look in her boss’s eyes. You’re worried aren’t you Mr. B?

Yes… yes I am. There’s something wrong here. I just have a lousy feeling about this.

Stella nodded, Yes, I had that feeling too. I didn’t want to say anything, but since you did … Well you know. …Hey, I have a good idea, why don’t I call his hotel room. Maybe he’s sleeping or something.

Naish finally smiled. Yes go ahead and try that. I don’t know why I didn’t think about that.

Stella found the number, punched them into the phone and asked to be connected to the room of Johnny Blunt. She hung up after ten unanswered rings. She looked at Naish and shook her head, Sorry Chief, no answer.

Okay, let’s try not to worry about this. Let’s close the office, go home and concentrate on getting ready for the party.

Sounds good Chief. If I hear anything I’ll call you.

Naish nodded and said he’d do the same, and they left.

2

Just as Naish entered his house and planted a kiss on Molly’s cheek his cell phone jingled with news that would shatter the evening’s plans. He checked the caller ID and saw it was Tom Dempsey, the Chief of homicide detectives.

Hello Tom.

Hello Naish, Tom paused. Naish, I don’t know how else to say this, but the party plans for tonight have to be cancelled. Johnny is in the hospital. He paused again when he heard Naish clear his throat. He gave him a few seconds.

What happened, Tom? Naish asked slowly and seriously.

I believe Johnny was the victim of one of those gang beatings. But at least he’s alive. I think they call this a signature beating to let us know they’re still around. We’ve already had a business man and three John Doe’s beaten to death.

Molly, who now was holding Naish by the elbow saw the expression on his face change completely and picked up on it. What is it Naish? Did something … . Naish put his hand up to stop her. Tom let me call you back; I have to get to the hospital.

No need to call Naish, I’ll see you there. Tom said and hung up.

Naish closed his cell and looked at Molly. Johnny is in the hospital. He was almost beaten to death.

I’ll get my coat, she said heading for the closet.

Don’t rush. He said. I have to call Stella and let her know about Johnny. And he did.

3

Somewhere south of Carlsburg a meeting is taking place in a small town called Dugansville. The town looks like a holdover from the Revolutionary war era. Neighborhoods had purposely been class divided. The dominant architecture was a triple decker house followed by less definable two and a half story structures featured with scalloped dirty white pressed board siding. The only modern things in the town were the telephone poles with real wires on them. Town records show that Dugansville is now 47 percent Muslim, and a 53 percent mixture of colors and nationalities. Every day the Muslim people have meetings to organize fund drives to raise monies to build a Mosque. But one particular meeting that’s taking place is not one of those meetings.

Abdul Absobibi and Muhammad Dobaba, the two so-called BigWig leaders were meeting with all the other gang leaders to discuss increasing or decreasing the size of their gangs.

As salaam Alaikaam! Abdul greeted Muhammad with a nod.

Alaikaam As salaam! Muhammad nodded back.

It’s good to see you, my brother.

Likewise, Abdul. You’re looking fine. So I ask, Abdul, why the necessity for this meeting? Is something wrong?

Maybe not right now, Muhammad, but possibly in time to come.

Then tell me what we must do to right this wrong. Muhammad said worried.

I will in one second. He said and faced the crowd. As salaam Alaikaam to all of you my faithful leaders who sit before me and Muhammad. Sit, please, and I will explain why we meet here today. Abdul waved to the chairs. Much to my dislike, my brothers, I have to tell you that Tehran has stopped all funds coming to us. From now on we have to be on our own. We may have to cut our gangs down in size. Abdul paused to pick up a tablet and pen from his desk. How many men do you all have who are not followers of our Islamic faith? He passed the tablet to Muhammad. Please write the names and pass the tablet around.

I believe there are at least three maybe four. I will have to check gang by gang just to be sure. Muhammad said and wrote the names and passed the tablet.

Please, my brothers, write only the names of those you are sure of.

They all began to write when they received the tablet. Minutes later the last man handed the tablet back to Abdul.

Thank you, Abdul nodded with a smile. Hmmm, he nodded to confirm something in his head. I too have at least three names. Abdul put his finger to his lips and thought for a second.

What is it, Abdul? What do you propose we do with these men? Asked Muhammad.

Simple, Muhammad, since we have to make cuts in our manpower, we might as well begin with these infidels.

And what is it that you propose, my brother?

Abdul smiled again and tilted his head slightly. All these men will have to be sacrificed for Allaah; if we let them go and let them live they could become a hazard to us. They know who we are and where we meet.

With that statement the crowded room of gang leaders began to stir and mutter among themselves.

I understand, Abdul, and if they say they are one of us then they should only be too happy to die for Allaah, even if they are not Muslim. Muhammad said and the crowd agreed with head nods and yells of approval.

Exactly, Muhammad. I will get this process moving immediately, and hope you all will do the same."

I will proceed with this task immediately, but I do not understand why Tehran stopped our funding. Why would they want these actions to stop?

I do not know, but even if they do Muhammad, we will still fight for Allaah.

Yes, we will, my brother. As Salaam Alaikaam, Abdul, stay well and the same to you all my brothers." Muhammad waved and left the meeting room.

Alaikaam As salaam, Muhammad and Abdul, we will keep in touch. The crowd yelled as they all left.

4

Fresh from the shower Stella sat by her make shift dressing table and applied her makeup carefully. Minutes later, she sat back and gave herself the once over.

Hmmm, not too bad, she thought. Especially at my age. Even Stella had to laugh at her own thoughts. She blew out her breath, relaxed her body, and stared into the mirror. She began to daydream about Johnny. He is now a brand new Private Investigator and yet what’s more important, he is her lover. Still looking at herself in the mirror, she said aloud, Look at you Stella, a brilliant, beautiful, sexy girl like you, falling for a man like that. She shook her head and began to get dressed.

She put on a brand new snow white blouse just purchased from K-Mart, and buttoned it carefully. Next the pants, powder blue Capris’. She smiled thinking Nothing but the best for good ol Stella. Fake diamond earrings dangled from her ears, and short white sox and dark blue sneakers covered her feet. As she stood to check herself on the full length mirror which hung on her closet door, her cell phone rang. She checked and saw it was Naish Berran. She punched in the talk button.

Hi Chief, did you hear from Johnny? She asked with a smile then listened as Naish answered. A few minutes later Stella gulped and said Thank you Chief, I’ll see you there. I’m leaving now. She closed her phone, grabbed her jacket and purse and left to face the unknown.

5

Naish, Molly, Stella and Tom Dempsey arrived at the hospital within minutes of each other. They met at the information desk and since Tom arrived first, he shared the information with them that Johnny had already been examined in the emergency room and was moved to room 318.

Stella was first out of the elevator and first to wiggle her way into the room. She gently took Johnny’s hand into hers as Johnny blinked his eyes open.

Hi, he whispered with half a smile. Then that smile increased as he noticed Naish, Molly and Tom strolling up behind Stella. Hey, hi guys, he whispered a little louder. Sorry guys, I can’t yell. It feels like I have sand in my throat.

That’s okay Johnny. Naish said forcing a worried smile. We’re all just glad that you’re alright.

Thanks guys, it’s going to take more that a gang of punks to put me away.

So it was one of those gangs, huh, John? Tom asked.

Johnny looked straight ahead at the wall and gave a three second nod, Oh, yeah, he spoke slowly and squinted to avoid the pain. It was those Islamic terrorists guys, and I saw a lot of their faces.

Are you sure about that John? Tom asked taking charge.

Johnny gave another three second nod, and turned his head to face Tom but couldn’t. Tom picked up on it and quickly moved to the rear of Johnny’s bed to face him. Johnny smiled and said, I’m positive, Chief. As they were beating me, they were yelling some jibberish in another language which wasn’t English or Italian. And they kept saying the word Allaah.

Doctor Alan Ranch walked into the room and introduced himself. He took a chart from its container which hung on the back of the bed and gave it a quick read.

Your friend here took a hell of a beating. He said directing his comments to Naish.

Just how bad is it Doc? You’re looking very serious. Naish said.

The Doctor raised his eyebrows, I am very serious. His breast plate is cracked and the rib nearest his heart is also broken. We have to watch it. He’ll be with us for awhile. I don’t want to bore you with the particulars but his condition is serious. Right now I have to ask you all to leave the room because John has to be x-rayed and a nurse will be coming in to do what she has to do. You may go down to our restaurant and enjoy its fine cuisine, while you wait. It is fine dining. He forced a smile.

They took his advice and were able to kill about two hours by eating the waitress’ dinner suggestions and topped the evening off with iced teas and diet cokes. They returned to Johnny’s room and said quick so longs, so he could get his much needed rest. As Naish walked over and touched Johnny’s arm, he saw a tear slide down Johnny’s cheek. His stomach dropped. Hang in there kid, the son of a bitch who did this doesn’t have long to live on this good earth. He thought to himself.

Stella decided to stay with Johnny because she just had that feeling that he wanted her to. She put a chair along side of the bed, sat down and held his hand. He turned his head just enough so Stella could see his smile. I’m so glad you came back and stayed, he whispered.

Me too! I think I read your mind telling me to do it. She chuckled.

Wow! I can’t believe it really worked.

Oh, yeah it really worked. Stella smiled.

Good, I’ll try it again, Johnny paused, squinted his eyes, and stared at the ceiling.

Stella laughed, Are you crazy? You’re not even supposed to breathe hard, let alone do all that crazy stuff.

Now Johnny smiled, Son of a gun, you’re good. Minutes later, Johnny fell asleep and Stella left after planting a kiss on his forehead.

6

It seemed like a month had passed since Johnny was injured, but it’s only been a little more than two and a half weeks. He was all that Naish thought about. He picked up the phone on the second ring of his private line.

Yes?

Naish, it’s Tom. How’s lunch sound at Barney’s?

Naish thought for a second, Sounds good to me. You have news about Johnny?

I don’t know. Could be, but we’ll talk when we meet.

What time?

How’s 1 o’clock?

I’ll see you there. Naish smiled at the phone and hung up wondering what that was all about.

Shorty the waiter materialized with two drinks and placed one in front of Naish and the other in front of Tom.

Thank you Shorty, Naish nodded, Do you realize that it’s only 1 o’clock? Naish asked Shorty jokingly.

Should I take them back Mr. Berran?Shorty asked with a smile.

Of course not! Naish laughed, as Shorty handed Naish and Tom menus that he took from an unoccupied table.

Tom raised his glass to toast, Here’s to a good lunch.

Naish raised his glass and nodded, So let’s talk, my friend. What’s this all about?

I had a phone call from my friend, the Director of the Secret Service, John Bradford … Do you know him?

Not personally I met him at a party in Washington about two years ago. I shook his hand and that was just about it.

Well John told me that they had picked up a phone call from Tehran to Dugansville. What they could get out of the conversation was that some kinds of funds were being cut off, and then it began to cut in and out and then all static.

Naish scratched his head and gave a look of disbelief, Tehran and Dugansville? Our little shit place, Dugansville?

Must be. How many Dugansvilles are there in this United States? Tom smirked.

Naish shook his head and took a sip of his Johnny Black. Shorty arrived and took their lunch order. They both ordered California Burgers and drinks of iced tea.

Well you know Naish, Tom paused to finish his Johnny Black, Our Information tells us that these killer gangs are coming from Dugansville. And I believe that Johnny wasn’t killed because the gang that beat him didn’t have a finisher with them.

A finisher?

Yeah, he’s the one that comes in when the gang is finished beating the hell out of the victim, and puts the finishing touches to the victim and kills him or her. But even if he was there, I don’t think they wanted Johnny dead. Like I said before, I think they were trying to send us a message.

How do you know all this, Tom?

I have a snitch, or we really call them Shadows now, who knows some gang members. In fact he was in one of those gangs in Dugansville. He quit and has the scars to prove it.

Christ! What the hells going on? Are these gangs getting sophisticated with members that do the beating and one who does the finishing? Hey, maybe they are getting funds from Tehran to kill us infidels."

Hmmm, it seems that way. Tom said forcing a smile. Put your thinking cap on, Naish, what can we do to eliminate these gangs?

Naish shook his head, It looks like we’re going to have a war on our hands and I also believe we’re dealing with possible terrorists.

Why … is it because the word Tehran was used with Dugansville?

Well, yes, unless there’s another Dugansville somewhere in the United States. I just find it hard to believe that a country like Iran has dealings with our Dugansville? I could see Iran and Houston, Texas, or Iran and New York City, Iran and Philadelphia, but Iran and Dugansville? Shorty walked over to the table following the busboy, who just cleaned the table. "More drinks, gentlemen? Or do you want the check? Before they could answer, Tom’s cell phone rang. Naish made a writing motion with his hand to Shorty and Shorty handed him the check in a leather folder. Naish sipped the bottom cover of his iced tea and watched Tom close his cell.

Hmmm, Naish shivered his shoulders and shook his head, Man, with that kind of look on your face, I’m afraid to ask what happened."

Tom nodded. That was Sarge, at the front desk, He said that two of our officers found two bodies in the park … murdered and beheaded.

Ouch! Naish squinted. That doesn’t sound good.

Well I guess we can now say that it’s our Dugansville that was in the message. Tom said seriously and took the check out of Naish’s hand. I invited you, so I’m paying.

Naish shrugged and watched Tom pay. And they smiled as they headed for the door.

Tom, give me a call on my cell when you get some info on the two headless bodies. I don’t know if I’ll be home or in the office.

Yean; sure, I’ll call your cell. You know, we didn’t finish our meeting. There was something I wanted to discuss with you.

I know. In a way I’m glad you got that call and I’m sorry it was for that reason, but now I want to check on something before we meet.

How about tomorrow afternoon, in my office? Tom suggested.

It’s Saturday, you know.

Yeah, I know. I have a funny feeling I know what you’ll be doing in the morning, so let’s make it in the afternoon.

I’ll be there, and if I can’t I’ll call you.

Good. Tom said as they walked out together.

7

Naish called Stella from his car and told her he wasn’t coming back and for her to lock up the office when she desired.

Is anything wrong Chief? She asked.

No, I just have to check on something at my house.

Okay, I have to pay some bills. Then I’ll straighten up and leave.

Good, and make sure that’s soon, I don’t want you leaving when it’s dark. I want you to check the inside of your car before you get into it. If everything is okay, get in and lock the doors immediately. I’ll explain later.

Now you’re scaring me. What’s going on?

Sorry, don’t be scared. Just be careful.

Okay, I’ll be careful. She said and hung up. She opened her desk drawer and took out her gun. She checked it and put it in her open purse and purposely left her purse open. She did what she had to do with the bills and left.

***

Ten minutes later Naish pulled into his driveway. He walked up the steps and was ready to put the key in the lock when the door flew open. He got startled and jumped back as Molly stood to greet him with a wide eyed ear to ear smile.

I’m sorry, Naish. Did I frighten you?

No, no, he forced a smile. I just didn’t expect that to happen.

Molly smiled back and stepped aside and followed Naish into the house.

You look radiant as always, he said, holding both her hands and looking her up and down.

And you are a great bull thrower as always, she replied. You must be horny, she laughed and left to make two drinks of Johnny Black on the rocks.

She handed one to Naish and raised her glass to toast. Here’s to my man, Mr. Horny.

Naish raised his glass. Thank you, I plan to take you upstairs and ravish you after you’re finished with your drink.

Oh goodie a matinee! She chugged down her drink and Naish did the same. Molly licked her lips, took Naish by the hand and led him up the stairs. She tugged at his arm and said, Come with me, Rover.

Sunlight still filtered through the bedroom window as Naish woke, looked over and found Molly still next to him. Their hips were touching and a piece of her auburn hair wisped across her face. He brushed it away and she opened her eyes.

My goodness, it’s still daylight. She said blinking her eyes.

Molly, it’s still the afternoon. It’s always light.

She slapped his belly and kissed him on the cheek.

More please? He asked begging and they did it again. When they finished they embraced and panted in each others arms. Hey, Rover, I’m not a cushion, she grunted and Naish fell to the side. "I know, I really have to get up because there’s something I have