Slings and Arrows

By Jack Cartwright

After a period in which he experiences twists and turns between the quiet life, romance, and danger, as in the earlier book, Little Arrows, John Davis opts for a life of married bliss. However, things do not turn out as planned, and he finds himself back in the fight against crime—his attitude uncompromising, his methods often as violent as those he pursues—and his belief that criminals should experience something of what they hand out before the law, often inadequate in his eyes, takes its course.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Mar 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728386201

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

John Davis was in the shape of his life. Since his earlier boxing days he had bulked up considerably, and he was now boxing as a light heavyweight, at which level he had no need to watch his weight. He had increased his punching power, which together with his speed of foot and hand had always been his great asset, and maintained his staying power, having on one occasion boxed twenty rounds of heavy sparring, after which he looked as if he could do another twenty!

His first fight had been a disappointment. Billy was taking no risks that he might lose because as he saw it, and he was of course right, he did not want to see his son starting his career with a loss of momentum, so he had rather under matched him. His opponent was an experienced journeyman who was calculated to provide him with a gentle workout, but in the event, he went down from what John thought was no more than a stiff jab and failed to regain his feet.

They were discussing the so-called fight in the gym on the following day after an energetic training session supervised by Bill Gordon, Billy’s longstanding right hand man.

Billy spoke, Well. I don’t think I did very well for you on your first fight John, but I really didn’t expect him to be that bad.

I don’t believe it either Dad, you sure he wasn’t taking a dive for some bookie who wanted him to go down in the first thirty seconds?

I wouldn’t be surprised about that, he can’t have many more fights in him so he could have seen that as a way to make a bit extra while he could - but you’d better not say that outside this gym.

So the next job is to find you an opponent who’ll give you a bit of a workout, and I think I might have just the man. There’s a Russian guy named Yuri Voronin who had a good career in the amateurs because to all intents and purposes he was a pro. You see, these bloody communist countries, like Russia and particularly East Germany, have to show everybody that their system is the best, and so anybody who shows promise as a boxer, or in any sport come to that, is put into the army and given full time training just like a pro, and that’s why they do so well in the Amateurs

Since then he’s defected to the West and lives in London, no doubt because he thinks he can do better than Red Army wages, and he’s had four fights and won them all in the early rounds, but he’s only fought bums like the bloke you fought."

He turned to Bill - You saw his last fight Bill, tell John what you thought about him.

"Well John, he’s got a good punch in his right hand, but he’s pretty slow throwing it. He’s shorter than you, but he’s very muscular and he crowds his opponent and throws leather from all angles. Sooner or later one gets through and then he gets really rough until the poor bugger goes out or the ref stops it.

The way I see it, you’ve got a longer reach, your jab’s five times as fast as his, he won’t get to you with your footwork being so much quicker and cleverer. and you’ll have punched his lights out by the time he starts throwing his haymakers, which are so slow that you could be on the other side of the arena before they land!

Billy came in - "I’ve heard a bit of chat about him from inside the trade, and they think they’ve got a prospect. They wouldn’t expect much trouble from you because they see you as an amateur who never won anything better than the Inter Services Championship, and who hasn’t done anything since. They also think your first opponent took a dive, probably paid for by us to give you a good start.

Personally I think you’ve been in with a lot more pros than he has, here in the gym, and I think you’ll be able to take him, as and when you feel like it. I know you don’t like fighting these journeymen, whose only role is to be knocked about by you young up and comers while they’re just trying to make a living and keep the wolf from the door, so here’s a chance to show this guy up for what he is. What do you think?

Okay with me Dad, I trust your judgment, you and Bill, and if you think that’s the way to go, I’m all for it. And you’re right about that other thing, I don’t want to push my career by knocking hell out of some poor blokes who are at the end of theirs.

That’s it then - I’ll sign us up. It’ll be £90 this time, not much when you think that Sugar Ray Robinson gets about £30,000, but he’s right at the top of the game and that’s where I think you’ll be in a year or two’s time.

CHAPTER 2

John was halfway through his training routine on the following day, after his usual morning run of eight miles with Bill riding beside him on his bicycle, and he was lying on the floor while one of the other boxers threw down a heavy medicine ball on to his midriff and John threw it back to him. He had already done his workout with the weights and the small punch ball, and was looking forward to his lunch, not a heavy meal, after a spell on the heavy bag. He always took a rest of about an hour afterwards, before coming to his favourite element, which involved twelve rounds of sparring in spells of three, with different opponents from the other pros each time.

By this time he was looking forward to finishing with a half hour spell on the massage couch, a cool shower, and then back home to his tea as they called it, but not the light meal the family used to enjoy. In John’s case it was usually a ‘heavy cut’ steak - not the best cut, they couldn’t afford that every day, but anything with plenty of protein, together with lots of potatoes and green vegetables, all to keep up the strength needed to support that rigorous training routine.

He spent most of his evenings with his girlfriend Shirley, the love of his life, usually with his family or hers. They didn’t go out much; they couldn’t afford that but did manage the occasional visit to the local cinema. Shirley was happy with that, she was an avid movie fan, and she usually paid for those visits in the absence of any regular income from John. He was embarrassed by that, but Shirley quickly put him right whenever he mentioned the subject, which he did again while they were walking back from the cinema, a visit she had paid for.

John, I love you so much you can have everything I’ve got if it’ll help with what you’re trying to achieve - and in any case when you hit the big time I want my firs and diamonds like all the other world champions’ molls.

You ain’t no moll baby, he said, doing his best to imitate Humphrey Bogart, who was one of her favourite film actors, you’re gonna be my wife, that is if you still want me after I’ve bled you dry.

If you still want me you mean, when I can’t pay for this glamorous social life of yours after you’ve bled me dry.

I know you’re only joking, but I’ll never stop wanting you my love. All I want to do, as you know, is to make some money and get us married with a good start., on our own and in a nice house. I know your folks have said we could live with them, but much as I like them I wouldn’t like to share a house - with anybody, and that includes my folks too, although we haven’t got the room yours have anyway. But I’m getting £90 for this next fight, which won’t amount to much after Dad’s had his regulation cut, and I’ve settled a few more expenses - but it can only get better, as I fight better boxers, and I’m going to get as many fights as I can so that we don’t have to wait too long.

Shirley stopped and turned to face him. Coming up close and hard, she planted a long and passionate kiss on his willing lips. I don’t mind how long we have to wait, as long as I can have plenty of that!

That’s one thing I can guarantee he replied, and proved it with his own vigorous response. I could also guarantee you a bit of the other, but Dad’s had a man to man talk with me and told me I can’t get up to any of that while I’m in training.

Well that’s something I agree with your Dad about, because you’re not going to get any of the other out of me until the ring’s firmly on my finger, I was brought up to be a good girl, I was.

They both laughed uproariously as they continued on the way back to her house, where after a few more kisses he finally said goodnight and ran all the way back home.

CHAPTER 3

It was two days after that that Billy dropped the bombshell. I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news for you John - I’m taking you out of the fight.

They were standing in the gym before the start of the day’s work; Bill was there too, shuffling uncomfortably from one foot to the other.

John stood there without saying a word.

You haven’t asked me why, said Billy

Okay, why?

You ever heard of Bernie Levene? Anyway, he’s a bookie, handles a lot of betting on sporting events, and he’s been known to influence results - football matches, cricket matches, horse racing - but this is the first time I’ve heard of him trying it on in boxing.

You saying he wants me to take a dive or something?

That’s exactly what I‘m saying, but I’m not having it. I’ll get in touch with the promoters and tell them you’re injured, and that you’ll have to drop out of the fight.

How come he can tell us what we can do and what we can’t? And why can’t you just go to the Police?

Well, I’ve never come into contact with him, but I’ve heard all about him. He’s got some nasty pieces of work he sends round to threaten people, and he’s been known to carry out the threats if they don’t play ball. You can’t prove anything if you get the Police involved, he’s careful about that, and I’ve heard he might have somebody in the Police who he pays to keep the heat off him.

Let me think about this Dad. You know what I was up to when I was in the Air Force - I don’t know how big he is, but I’ve cleaned out one or two big ones in my time, probably a lot bigger than him. Leave it with me for a day or two while I try to figure something out.

Look John, I don’t want you to get yourself hurt, life’s too short. If we stall him with these so-called injuries he might get fed up and go somewhere else.

And pigs might fly - let me think about it.

The next morning Billy and John were on their way to the gym in Billy’s Morris Minor.

John spoke, Dad, do we know where this Levene guy hangs out - can we get to him?

Oh yeah, matter of fact I got a call from him while you were at Shirley’s last night. He wants me to go and see him today, to tidy up the loose ends, as he puts it. What he means is that he wants to be sure you’re going to lose, and that everybody’s on board before he starts offering the odds and laying a few bets himself. I thought I’d go along with it and tell him later that you’ve injured yourself in training.

I’ve had an idea about how to handle this Dad. I’ll go with you, and as soon as we get there you can leave me to it.

D’you think you ought to tell me what your idea is Son, or is it something I wouldn’t want to know about?

Actually I think you do need to know Dad, because I’m going to tell him that we’ve been approached by a London firm, and we’re more scared of them than we are of him. You need to know that in case Levene talks to you. I’m going to play it by ear, but if I get a chance I’m going to show him a bit about violence and threats. Maybe I’ll think of a few threats of my own - do you know anything about him? Is he well off, has he got a nice house and family?

Oh, he’s pretty well known around here, everybody thinks he’s quite respectable, for a bookie, everybody that is except the ones he’s shafted. He has got a nice house, big, and he’s got a wife, a son and a daughter, grown up now, the son’s a doctor and the daughter is a lawyer - divorce lawyer I think. And he’s pretty big at the synagogue. That enough to go on?

That’ll do fine, I’m already looking forward to meeting Mr Bernie Levene - takes me back to my days in the Unit.

Well you just be careful mate, he hasn’t got to where he is by being anybody’s patsy.

And he hasn’t come across anybody like me - okay? You know Dad, I’d rather be Mom’s quiet little angel any time, but in my time in the special unit I learnt that we had to be as nasty and twice as hard as the characters we found ourselves dealing with, and if Bernie wants it that way I’ll see that he gets it.

As soon as Billy had opened up the place, checked the mail, and given out whatever instructions he had for the day, they got back to the car and headed for Levene’s place. John was surprised to discover that Levene operated an entirely legal and respectable Estate Agent’s office, run by qualified staff who ostensibly did not know of any illegal betting activity, or anything else, going on in the flat above, or if they did, they were sufficiently well paid to keep their mouths shut.

They walked along the side passage to reach the entrance to the office above, which was no more than a small door looking down at heel and opening on to a staircase, which they ascended. At the top of the staircase they arrived at a rather more substantial door, to the left of which was a hatch which opened in response to a press on a bell push situated on a shelf at the bottom of the hatch.

The hatch door slid open to reveal a greasy looking individual, who addressed them in a rather surly sounding voice Yeah?

Billy Davis, to see Bernie Levene.

Who’s he?

My son, he wanted to come too.

Nobody told me about no son, he can wait outside.

John spoke: Listen mate, I’m the one Bernie wants to throw a fight, and if I’m going to do that I want to know why.

The hatch door slid shut and about a minute later the large door opened.

Okay, Mr Levene says he can come in.

They followed the ‘reception clerk’ into a kind of reception area and through a door, which led to a spacious office dominated by a very large desk with all the trimmings - reading light, cigar humidor, fancy inkstand and framed pictures, family no doubt, which in turn was occupied by a large red-faced fleshy individual with a large cigar between his fat lips.

You got your nerve ain’t you sonny, coming here where you ain’t invited. I’m letting you get away with it this time, but nobody takes liberties with Bernie Levene - you got that?

If you say so. Now my Dad’s going home because your business today is with me.

You hear what I said? He goes when I tell him he can go. Get by the door Norm

Norm was about the height of John, and heavily built, but he looked as if he might have seen his best days as a fighter. He moved to the door so as to intercept Billy if he tried to leave.

Go ahead Dad - Norm won’t stop you - if he lays a hand on you I’m going to give him a slap.

Undeterred by this threat, as Billy moved towards the door Norm barged in to stop him. Moving very quickly, John delivered a vicious right hook deep into the solar plexus, and as he bent double, followed up with a very hard kick in the rear end, which sent Norm staggering across the room until he finally lost his footing and measured his length on the floor after inflicting damage on Bernie’s fancy drinks cabinet with his head.

As Billy disappeared through the door, John sat on one of the very comfortable chairs opposite to where Levene was sitting, and where he could keep an eye on Norm if he showed signs of recovery.

"Oh Bernie, we haven’t had a very good start have we, and for you it doesn’t get any better. You see, I needed money quickly, and Dad found a way of helping me out. He sold half of my contract to one of the big operators in London, and I got the money I wanted. This has considerable other advantages, not for you of course, because it seems they like the look of me and they’re going to fork out for all my training expenses, they’re going to get me the right kind of fights, and to look after their own interests they ‘re going to protect me from scum like you, and if you think you’ve got a few heavies on the payroll you ain’t seen nothing till you see theirs.

"If I make it to the big time they’ll get all their money back and then some. Dad will do well out of my half for all the training and everything else, and the only loser will be you Bernie. They’ve got your number, and in case you want to get a little bit spiteful on the quiet, I know where your very nice house is, and I know how to start fires.

So now you know why I feel I can take liberties knocking around your staff, and if you’ve got anybody else who’d like to go half a round, now’s the time otherwise I’ll bid you good day and leave you to count your money - while you’ve still got it.

While this was going on, Norm had struggled to his feet, but showing no signs of any desire to rejoin the action, he sat in one of the chairs, leaning a little to the side and gently rubbing his stomach area.

Bernie meanwhile sat as if transfixed - John thought he would be looking quite pale were it not for his florid complexion, but as he turned to leave he heard Bernie say in a quiet voice, This ain’t over.

He turned back, leaned across the desk, pulled the cigar out of his face, ground it out on the polished surface, and said in not much more than a whisper; Bring it on baby.

When John returned to the gym he found Billy agog to learn how the big confrontation had gone. Looks like you’re still in one piece then - so what happened after I left?

Well you saw what happened to Norm, and the best he could do after that was to get himself on to a chair while I did the business with Bernie. Something like I said to you, I shot him a line about you selling half my contract to this big London outfit so that I could get hold of some cash, and I think I might have put the fear of God in him when I told him about the bruisers they’ve got on the payroll, and what I was going to do to his house if he got spiteful.

You think we might have any more trouble from him after this?

You never know of course, but I don’t really think so. If he just backs off, all he loses is one deal, and he can still bet on me. He might assume that the big boys from the smoke will lay off him as long as he stays clear of us, and I think he’ll have enough nous to do that.

Right - still some time left for a bit of sparring, okay with you?

Great, let’s get it on. I’ll try to imagine it’s Bernie in the ring with me.

CHAPTER 4

Training continued to go well over the next few days, and nothing further was heard from Bernie Levene, giving them confidence that they had heard the last from that source.

Are you convinced now Dad? The only way to deal with bullies, crooks or conmen is to push back as hard as you can, and they usually crack if you make your response hard enough - and mean it.

Preparations for the fight went very well, and Billy pronounced his man well and truly fit for anything he might encounter with the Russian. John himself was brimming with confidence - he had never lost a fight and didn’t intend to start now, and he couldn’t wait to get into the ring and get it done.

The big night finally arrived, and he made his way to the ring accompanied by Billy, and Bill, who was going to be there to wipe his face, give him a drink, fan him with the towel and act as his ‘cut’ man if required. As he was about to step up to get through the ropes, he noticed Bernie Levene sitting in the second row, looking at him with a glare about as malevolent as he could make it. John slipped him a quick wink and jumped up to the apron before sliding quickly through the ropes and settling on to the stool Bill was holding for him.

The announcements were made, and the two fighters came face to face in the centre of the ring while the referee gave them the usual spiel. Yuri had those East European features that John remembered from one of the big cases he had been involved in, and they served to add to the threatening posture he was doing his best to adopt. John had always done his best to disrespect any of the crooks he had encountered, and he looked back with as meek an expression as he could manage, a slight smile on his face, and as a final touch he crossed his eyes and inclined his head slightly, which made his opponent look as if he wanted to start the fight there and then.

He managed to hold off until the bell sounded, but then he came in very fast, looking to finish the fight there and then, but it was a simple matter with a bit of smart footwork to get out of the way and turn back facing his man as he bounced back from the ropes.

He was far too slow, and he didn’t have his guard up in time to protect his face from the vicious right that came his way. Yuri had never been hit like this in his whole career, and suddenly the man he was fighting didn’t look like the amateur his handlers had been telling him about. He staggered back on to the ropes and was just about sufficiently awake to realise that he had to get his gloves up on each side of his head to protect himself from another blow. But he was standing too upright, which left enough room below his elbows for John to hit him under the heart with another hard right, followed by his trade mark left hook to the short ribs. He went down, looking so distressed that the referee did not bother to count, and called for his seconds to come and attend to him as quickly as possible.

While John changed his clothes in the communal dressing room Billy went over and picked up the cheque for £90 from the promoter.

Who said; Looks like you’ve got a good man there Billy, Joey Round needs an opponent in two weeks time after Arthur Mills had to drop out - if you don’t think it’s too early for your lad.

No mate, Joey’s just the sort of fight we’re looking for. Cost you more than ninety quid though after the way you saw him demolish that Russian.

150 all right then?

That’ll do for now.

On the way back in the car Bill waxed euphoric about the way the fight had gone, doing his best in his seat to reproduce the punches that had dispatched the Russian so quickly.

Billy said; It was great John, but you could have done with two or three rounds really. A few rounds against somebody who’s trying to knock your lights out is worth a lot of training.

I know Dad, but you must have seen the looks he was giving me, pure hatred it was. I couldn’t wait to get at him!

Well, you won’t get that from Joey Round, he’s a good lad who’s been around a long time, and he should be good for more than one round. He needs an opponent in a couple of weeks - £150 this time. Okay with you?"

You bet!

CHAPTER 5

Sadly John was soon to discover that all his plans and hopes for the future were going to come apart with the tragedy and heartbreak he was about to encounter.

On the morning after the fight Billy emerged from his office to tell him that Shirley’s father had telephoned to ask if he could come to the gym to see him right away.

I told him it was okay to come round any time he liked.

"Any idea what it was about? said John.

No, he said he needed to talk to you.

At first John was mildly curious about what the matter might be, he hoped that Shirley wasn’t sick and unable to meet him for their date that evening, but it wouldn’t need a personal visit to tell him that, and as the minutes ticked by he became gripped with an ever darkening foreboding. George at last arrived, and one look at his ashen face set John’s pulse racing and his heart palpitating. Billy too sensed tragedy, and he ushered them both into his office and remained outside the door.

I don’t know how to tell you this John, he began, finding it difficult to talk as his lip curled and he fought to stave off the tears, of which he had obviously shed plenty before. There was an accident this morning and the Police came and took us to the hospital. They were very good, and they rushed through the traffic with their lights flashing and the bells on, but by the time we got there our lovely daughter was dead.

He broke into uncontrollable sobbing, and John, despite his shock and disbelief, hugged him tightly while the dreadful news sank in and he began to contemplate his loss. Outside the door, Billy heard the sobbing and came rushing in, in time to wrap his arms round the two of them and support his son, who felt as if his legs were turning to jelly, and Bill followed not far behind to add his support and help them both on to two of the chairs in the office.

When they were once again calm enough to talk John asked whether the Police had given him any information about the accident, and how it happened.

"That’s the worst of it John, there was a holdup at Lloyds on