Speakeasy Times

By M. W. McLeod

Vinny's living it up on easy street. His crew's latest job hitting the police station for their confiscated booze will keep his speakeasy running for a few weeks, and, with that success, he's cemented himself firmly in the hierarchy of the family. When he received an invitation to dinner between the lords and the Queen of faeries, he knows that the crown will be his, only to have his world suddenly turned on its head with news of the line of succession.

​

Now, Vinny finds himself torn in two directions. Do what is right by the monarch or back the uncle he owes a favor. If he chooses wrong, everything he's built will crumble at his feet, and buying out comes with an impossible task. He must figure out how to dodge the FBI, break into the most secure bank vault he's ever seen, and avoid a mythical creature even the faeries don't believe exists anymore.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M. W. McLeod
• Release date: Feb 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9781737031086

Book preview

SPEAKEASY TIMES

A Beyond the Veil Novella

M. W. McLeod

Speakeasy Times

Copyright © 2022 M. W. McLeod

www.beyondtheveilauthor.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations for review purposes.

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, places, or events is purely coincidental.

Cover, Chapter Header, and Page Break Copyright © 2022 Andrew McCaffrey

Headliner No. 45 Font provided by Kevin Christopher // KC Fonts

ISBN (eBook): 978-1-737-0310-8-6

ISBN (paperback): 978-1-7370310-9-3

First Edition: 2021.11.16

Disclaimer: Use of any of the words and phrases that Paddy abuses within this novella may result in throat punching by any proper Irish folk. Neither Paddy nor the author are culpable for any repercussions incurred by repeating his foul language.

Also By M. W. McLeod

TERMS AND CONDITIONS TRILOGY

Covenant

Ex Gratia

Fine Print

For Tyler, who curated such an impressive list of 1930’s gangster, prohibition, and law enforcement movies that I am still watching it to this day. Thank you for your never-ending patience and support.

One

Sunday, November 27, 1932

V

inny watched with a bored expression as the car around him shimmered out of the material and into the ethereal world of the undead. No matter how many times he went through this shift, he couldn't help but think that it looked strange in this realm. The world that the average human knew became hazy and white, like many of the ghosts it heralded. Watching as brick buildings and storefronts passed by in a blur, he listened to the joyous cackles of their driver coming from the front seat. 

A smirk pulled at his lips. Paddy drove like a bat out of Hell, but it was hard to argue with results. Feeling the car careen around a corner, he did his best to level an even gaze at the small crew in the back with him. We do this just like we planned, he began. Nicolas, you do your thing to get in. Tony, you use dust to put up the illusion. Make sure nobody's the wiser. Be urgent, but not fast. No mistakes; don't leave a trace. They won't even know what hit 'em.

Relax, you feckin eejit, Paddy cajoled in his brogue as he began to slow down, maneuvering them into the gates of their destination. The coppers won't have a clue. They would much sooner pass over them shittin' out an egg than think that something like this was going to happen to them. You will be in an' out, twenty minutes tops. Then we drink pints five minutes later. He smiled, glancing up into the rearview mirror. He met the boss's eyes, and nodded.

Vinny's eye twitched, seeing that the dullahan was driving with his head in his lap again; that and he really didn't understand Paddy's idioms. He waved a placating hand. We've got it under control. Just be ready. 

Don't worry. I'm always ready to drive. Paddy smirked. Seeing a radio motor patrol vehicle pulling away just in front of them, he gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. Thirty seconds, he told them as the other car disappeared behind the building. He shifted their car out of the ghostly plane, and pulled up to the back door of the police station.

The car idled as the three in the back hopped out. Tony jumped into action, his slicked back blond hair glinting in the light coming from the building. He carefully skirted around the vehicle in a tight circle. A substance that looked like glowing golden sand fell to the ground, and a shimmer overtook the area, making the car impossible to see by non-magical means. His eyes followed Nicolas's pale form as it turned into mist, moving through the cracks of the door into the station and, hopefully, through to the evidence room where all the confiscated booze would be located.

Nicolas weaved in and out of the halls through doors, brushing past several police officers, and scouring the building for the liquor. A few agonizingly long minutes later, he re-formed inside of the room. He ran a hand over his short, black hair to be sure that not a lock was out of place while he assessed the situation. All around, he found shelves stocked full of meticulously labelled alcohol bottles, casks, and even one hefty looking barrel. A smile pulled at his lips, revealing two pointed eye teeth. Christmas was coming early today. He grabbed as many bottles as he could carry before transforming once more, making his way back out to the car.

When the back door opened and Nicolas walked out with an armful of liquor in tow, Vinny breathed a sigh of relief. He helped load up the first armful, and dusted both of them with the same sand Tony had used moments before. Their bodies shimmered, making them look like two of the officers that they knew would be out on duty tonight.

He smirked as he took on the looks of the infamous Captain Malloy, who was well known for busting the illegal liquor rackets in town. His salt and pepper hair was mostly covered by a uniform hat, and his mustache was the most prominent feature on his face. The illusion made him look taller, but Vinny was still his normal height underneath the illusion magic. He marched inside with increasing confidence. Following Nicolas into the evidence room in question, he helped load up both of their arms with as much of the booze as possible. Business was about to be very good.

As they worked, a few of the other officers noticed them removing the liquor from the secure storage area. They received a few confused looks until they noticed Captain Malloy in charge of the operation. Deciding that it was the wisest course of action, each of them lowered their eyes and went about their business without questioning the Captain's authority. They assumed the liquor would probably be dumped out or set alight.

It took the three of them a few loads to get a good portion of the booze out. Before any red flags were raised by the police inside, Tony let them know that the glamour magic on the vehicle would wear off soon. Vinny helped load up the last of the booze, hopping into the car, and pulling Tony and Nicolas in with him. He closed the doors, and called to Paddy, Let's roll, Wheels!

Paddy rolled his eyes as he made the engine roar to life. Moments later, they took off. He shifted them into the ghostly plane, driving them back to the restaurant. See? I told ya. In and out, twenty minutes, he commented, gesturing to his pocket watch as he brought them around a corner. The boss simply nodded, getting out of the car, and heading into the establishment. It wasn't worth arguing with Paddy. There was no changing someone who was already dead. He stopped at the bar, and ordered the pints that he knew the crew had more than earned before checking the peephole into his office. Seeing that the coast was clear, he let himself in, securely closing the hidden door behind him.

He checked himself over in a mirror, making sure that he looked as put together as a business owner of his stature was supposed to be. His short, brown hair was slicked back. Not a strand of it had moved since he'd left. If there was one good thing about the styles of this day and age, it was the simplicity of the common hairdos. He hooked his thumbs under his suspenders, and snapped them, noting he looked decidedly sharp before stepping into the kitchen.

There were only two staff here, both on his payroll. One of them was a big, hulking man that was washing the dishes. Vinny patted his back as he made his way through. How's it going Tiny?

He shrugged as he placed a dinner plate to the side, which looked like a saucer in his hands. Same old, same old, boss, he replied. 

Boring is good in our business, Vinny responded. His victorious grin from their successful heist returned to his face. He hoped that things would become a little less boring in the near future, but, in the meantime, he had to wait. The family wouldn't be meeting up until the solstice. Ignoring Chef Giorgio's foul mood, he rounded the corner, and walked through the swinging kitchen door out into the restaurant proper.

Helen, how's business tonight?

The slender blonde reached up to check that the wavy updo she'd chosen was still in pristine condition. Satisfied that she looked as put together as she always did, Helen turned to look at him as she leaned on the hostess stand, and waved a hand dismissively. She glanced over at an older couple who were still eating, and moved the piece of gum she was chewing on into her cheek so she could speak properly. Just waiting before I can head home, she replied.

Don't worry. It won't take too long. If need be, I can always have somebody in the back close up shop for you, he assured her while giving her shoulder a gentle pat.

She shrugged, which jostled his hand from her person. It's not too much of a bother. You pay me well enough to stay late once in a blue moon.

That I do. Vinny chuckled. He glanced at the clock and through the wide storefront window to the dimly lit streets outside. I have a few things to do back in my office, he lied, but I'll come back out in a little while to walk you home.

She blew out and popped a bubble with the gum she was chewing on, and smirked at the annoyed look on his face. I can walk home just fine, Vinny.

I just want all of my employees to get home safely, he told her seriously before letting his voice grow teasing. There are monsters out there. The werewolves might come get you.

There's no moon tonight, Vinny, she deadpanned. A huff escaped her, but her countenance quickly softened. Since you'll insist like always, I'll wait out here for you when I'm done. Otherwise, I think that I would be fine.

Glad that you see it my way, he replied, stepping away from her for the time being. I'll check back in after I take care of some things in the back, he replied, making his way into the back so that he could check that the crew was fine and dandy.

Once he was back inside the speakeasy, Vinny found Paddy, Nicolas, and Tony gathered at one end of the bar. They clinked their glasses together, and seemed to be enjoying a private moment of celebration over a pint. Jazz played on the opposite side of the room, and most of the remaining guests mingled over by the small open space that passed for a dance floor. The bartender noticed two customers ready to make their way home, and checked a peephole which led into the back alleyway. After he knew the coast was clear, he opened the door to let them out.

Vinny! Come share a drink to our success, Tony announced loud enough to be heard throughout the room, which brought on a round of cheers and congratulations from all of the regulars.

Vinny shook his head at these antics, but walked over and sat down with them. Only one, he told them, raising a single finger in warning. I need to make sure that one of my employees gets home safe.

A predatory sneer overtook Nicolas's features when he realized who the fae was talking about. Are you finally going to close on that one?

I'm not certain if she's into me, he sighed, trying to shake his head to rid himself of the thought. Also, she's normal, so there's a bunch of things to worry about if it even goes down that road. 

The bartender handed Vinny a pint, and Nicolas scoffed, Ah, you're no fun!

I'm just being careful, Vinny told the lascivious vampire. He took a sip of his drink. Can't be too careful nowadays.

It's called magic. You take them home, give them a perfect night, and mystify them so they don't remember any oddities, Nicolas instructed quietly so the normal folk in the bar wouldn't hear. He eyed his drink in a dissatisfied fashion before looking around the room for a young lady to help satisfy a deeper thirst.

That is the difference between you and I, he told him seriously. The last thing I want to do is get with a fine woman and have to magic the fun away at the end of the night. Seems like a waste if you ask me.

I'm not telling you to magic the fun away. The game is to wipe any magic they see from their memory, he countered. I know we're different types here, but a man's gotta eat.

The whole ordeal still feels wrong, Vinny remarked with finality, wanting to drop the subject. Everyone has their preferences, and I prefer doing this thing my way.

The man shrugged, smirking a bit to reveal a slightly elongated eye tooth. Have it your way, you old fuddy duddy.

Paddy chuckled, and drank some of his liquor. Some of the beverage went down his throat, and he hummed in appreciation. The rest of the drink leaked out of his neck through the cut that separated his head and shoulders. A wet spot began to pool on his dark, woolen clothing. "He has a